Watermelon Lime Cooler

Name: Watermelon Lime Cooler
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: about 2 quarts (1.9 L); 8 glasses
Ingredients: 8 cups cubed seedless watermelon (about 1.2 kg); 0.5 cup fresh lime juice (120 ml); 0.25 cup honey or agave; 0.5 cup packed mint leaves; 1.5 cups white rum, optional (360 ml); 2 cups sparkling water (480 ml)

Watermelon is mostly water and sweet, so it needs very little help: lime for edge, mint for scent. Blend the fruit, strain it, and you have the simplest crowd drink there is.

about 2 quarts (1.9 L); 8 glassesYield

EasyDifficulty

What you'll need

8 cups cubed seedless watermelon (about 1.2 kg)
0.5 cup fresh lime juice (120 ml)
0.25 cup honey or agave
0.5 cup packed mint leaves
1.5 cups white rum, optional (360 ml)
2 cups sparkling water (480 ml)

How to make it

Blend the watermelon, lime juice, honey and mint until smooth.
Strain through a fine sieve into a pitcher. Stir in the rum if using. Chill.
Pour over ice and top with sparkling water.
Glass: Tumblers. Garnish: A watermelon wedge and a mint sprig.

Chef's secrets

Pick a cold, ripe watermelon.

Freeze some of the watermelon cubes and use them as ice.

Good to know

Make ahead

The base keeps 2 days in the fridge; stir before serving.