Friday, June 19, 2009

Iced Watermelon Drinks - In the Pink for Foodie Friday and Pink Saturday


From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...For years we thought that watermelon was a source of empty calories. Advances in food science and nutrition have proved that not to be the case. While the typical melon is 92% water we've learned that it also contains nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Best of all, it's low in calories and is no longer just a summer food; it's available year-round and, especially important to green kitchens, almost every part of it is edible. I decided it was time to revisit the watermelon. My culinary adventure worked its way through salads and salsas before moving on to sorbets and smoothies. While experimenting with a slushie, I started to think of summer drinks so cold they could quench the thirst of the steamiest summer day. I did a little searching and with the help of Eating Well Recipes I was able to find two recipes that could do just that. One contains alcohol, the other doesn't. Both are gorgeous to look at and when served icy cold they're potential rivals for iced tea and lemonade. Because melons vary in their sweetness, you'll want to adjust sugar content as you go along. The small amount of sugar in these recipes may not be sufficient to your taste. Add more if needed, but do it cautiously. While you can put more in, you can't take it out. I like both these recipes and will prepare them often this summer. I serve them with cubed frozen watermelon instead of ice. A truc to share; use pitchers of different shapes to store alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, so there'll be no surprises as the day wears on.

Watermelon Agua Fresca
...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:

8 cups cubed seeded watermelon (about 6 pounds with the rind), divided
1 cup water, divided
1/3 cup sugar, divided
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
4 cups club soda or seltzer water, well chilled
Lime slices or mint for garnish (optional)

Directions:
1) Combine half the watermelon, half the water and half the sugar in a blender; puree. Pour through a coarse strainer into a large container. Repeat with the remaining watermelon, water and sugar. Stir in lime juice. Refrigerate until well chilled, about 4 hours.
2) To serve, stir in club soda (or seltzer) and garnish with lime. Yield: 10 cups.

Cook's Note: Watermelon base may be refrigerated for up to 2 days.


Watermelon Gin Fizz...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
5 cups diced watermelon, divided
6 ounces gin, divided
8 tablespoons lime juice, divided
1-1/3 cups ginger ale, divided
Lime wedges or mint for garnish

Directions:
1) Freeze 1 cup watermelon for garnish. Puree the remaining 4 cups watermelon. Strain; divide the juice among 4 ice-filled glasses.
2) Top each with 1 1/2 ounces gin, 2 tablespoons lime juice and 1/3 cup ginger ale. Garnish with the frozen watermelon and mint or lime wedges. Yield: 4 servings.

I'm sending this recipe to Michael at Designs By Gollum for Foodie Friday, the event she sponsors.

I'm also sending it to Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for her Pink Saturday Event.

86 comments :

My Little Space said...

Can I have some? This is the coolest summer drink.

theUngourmet said...

I have been wondering how watermelon and gin would be together. From the look of your yummy gin fizz I can tell it would be terrific!

Katy ~ said...

Splendid! Pink and perfectly quenching.

mel said...

That sounds so refreshing. We are having a pool party tomorrow and that sounds like it will be perfect!! Thanks for sharing!

Taste of My Life said...

Watermelon is one my favourite. Will try this, really cool!

Pam said...

I love, love, love watermelon. I can't wait to make both of these drinks. Thanks Mary!

Olga said...

love, love, love, love watermelon! I can eat the entire thing on my own!

Hootin Anni said...

Mary, this looks so refreshing. I just finished up a whole watermelon yesterday...if I'd only known. I will make it of course.

Happy Friday to you.

Creative Classroom Core said...

You cant go wrong with anything pink! Looks soooo good!

susan said...

Both look good and I smiled about your two pitcher tip--no surprises for anybody :)!

Anonymous said...

You posted this at just the right time. I have a watermelon in the fridg. that needs to be used up. I am going to suprise my Hubs tomorrow with this. Thanks

The Fajdich Times said...

Good summer drinks.

Peg said...

Thanks for sharing these watermelon drinks. They look delicious!

movingonlady said...

The perfect drink on a hot summer day. Thanks for sharing

bj said...

Both these drinks sound delicious...especially the Gin Fizz.Yum !!

Melissa Miller said...

~Wonderful and so refereshing sounding Mary! :)

Anonymous said...

Oh wow I bet those taste amazing, I love watermelon.

Cathy said...

Yay, I was finally able to log onto your site. Persistence pays off. Some days I hate my computer.

I love watermelon and will make this drink for sure - the one with the gin, of course.

Foley said...

How refreshing they look - watermelon is probably my facorite summer staple..IF you can find the right one!! Thump away!!!

Kristen said...

Those drinks look so refreshing and perfect for a summer BBQ!

Mary Bergfeld said...

Foley, I'm so glad you found us. I hope you'll become a regular visitor.

Zoe said...

Oooh the gin one sounds yummy! Great color!

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

oh Mary, both of these ound wonderful... I must try them ... and thanks for the reminder of different containers or labels! Happy Foodie Friday! Have a great weekend ~ Susan

Anonymous said...

I lurve watermelons! This drink is made for me. Thanks so much for the recipe!

Lyndas recipe box said...

Great sounding thirst quenchers and beautiful to look at!We love watermelon, so I'll have to try this-thanks!

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

Hi Mary~ ~ ~

How is it that I have just now found you? I love your blog.
Thanks for visiting and commenting at my place~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Mary Bergfeld said...

Ahrisha, I'm so glad you finally did find us. I hope you'll visit with us often.

test it comm said...

That watermelon drink looks nice and cool and refreshing. Perfect for a hot summer day!

ellen b. said...

A watermelon gin fizz?? I'm showing this one to hubby. Both drinks are just so pretty!

Lori E said...

I just showed this to my bartender son and he approved. lol.
Like that would stop me from enjoying these. Now my mouth is watering and craving a melon. They haven't been very good up in Canada lately. They are coming from Mexico.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Lori, promise not to laugh...it's always such a relief when the pros give my recipes a thumbs up. Thank you for passing that on to me.

Nancy Jane said...

Can't get my husband to eat anything watermelon. Will have to wait until we have company! I did, however, spot your recipe for the Key Lime White Chocolate squares. Now that's something that I can try in the very near future...Nancy

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

Now that's the way to welcome in the weekend!

Karen said...

The fresca looks so refreshing and delicious!

~~louise~~ said...

I'm saving this link for Watermelon Month in July. Can't say as much for the watermelon in the fridge. The sun is finally out here on Long Island and I'm not taking any chances. I'll be "whipping" this up tonight!!! (with gin:) Thanks for sharing, Mary.

Karine said...

It is hot in my appartment today and that is the kind of drink I would love to have!

Elle said...

This looks sooooo refreshing...and seasonal.

♥peachkins♥ said...

This looks very refreshing!

Happy Weekend!

imjacobsmom said...

I'm glad to read that the watermelon is actually good for us! I've had a lime gin fizz but the addition of watermelon sounds perfectly refreshing! We have a local steakhouse (Lindey's) that pickles the watermelon rind and serves them with every meal. Just thought you might want to know. ~ Robyn

imjacobsmom said...

PS. Thanks for visiting me and leaving those lovely comments! ~ Robyn

Mary Bergfeld said...

Robyn, thanks for the information. That is good to know.

Anonymous said...

You had me at gin! :)

The Animator's Wife said...

YUM, that watermelon gin fizz sounds great-- for tonight!

thanks!

Mary Bergfeld said...

Mina, I'm glad you found us. I hope you'll visit often. welcome

Michelle said...

Mary-
This looks delicious, I'm always looking for alternatives for heathier drinks for the kids, and I love the watermelon cube idea. Have a great PS and weekend.

Mary | Deep South Dish said...

You know I love watermelon drinks! These look very inviting.

Unknown said...

What a wonderful summer drink. All of your recipes look wonderful.

Happy Pink Saturday,

Karen

caren@kdottiedesigns.com said...

Welcome to Pink Saturday. Yum......I would like some right now. I love watermelon!

Unknown said...

These look soo good!Of course I can only enjoy the first one but they both look great!Perfect for the summer heat. :)

Claudia said...

Welcome to Pink Saturday! Thank you so much for the watermelon drinks!

Anonymous said...

Once I get my hand on watermelon I will try this one - the non alcoholic one :-) Are you sure it can cure thirst? cause seeing it right now makes me real thirsty LoL

Thanks!

Nancy said...

Happy Pink Saturday! Thank you for the recipes!

Bunny said...

Welcome to Pink Saturday these look very yummy. I will have to try them.

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

I love the colour of watermelon! Such a pretty shade of pink. Welcome to Pink Saturday and enjoy your weekend.

Blessings,
Sandi

Heather S-G said...

Pretty :) I'll take a gin fizz!

♥Mimi♥ said...

Lovely Pink Saturday Post! I'm literally adicted to the color, you should see my house. Welcome to Beverly's Saturday fun full of pink and wonderful blogs☺

Bobbi Jo Nichols said...

Happy Pink Saturday! Those look so yummy! I love your blog. I love to cook and eat so I will be back often.
Thank you for visiting my blog. Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Katie said...

Oh those both sound so yummy! Happy Pink Saturday!

Unknown said...

Yum! I just spent some time slicing up a watermelon yesterday. Welcome to Pink Saturday!

CottageBliss said...

BEAUTIFUL!
Your whole blog is fabulous, I couldn't stop reading!
Melissa

Susan Hickam said...

Yum! We have been having some hot days around here lately and that sounds like just the ticket. Take care. Sue

Glennis said...

Quite delicious!! I just had a watermelon agua fresca yesterday at lunch!


Happy Pink Saturday!

Regina said...

Refreshing, thanks for sharing.

A Hint of Home said...

Love watermelon. We've eaten 3 recently. There's only two of us who live here. We can't get enough.

Claudie said...

Hi Mary
My mom used to drink a lovely pink gin fizz on special occasions!! She's 90 now and would love a watermelon one I'm sure.
BTW I am not a pro of any kind. I have my little camera that does all the work for me. Thanks for the compliment.
Love Claudie
xoxoxo

CC said...

Oh My!!!!!!!!!! It can't get more wonderful than this. Those drinks look so good, I can't wait to try them out. Have a lovely Pink Saturday..

Beansieleigh said...

Oh! YUMMY!!! A Watermelon Gin Fizz is sounding PERFECT to me right now! I have already BOOKMARKED this page, and I am ready to PRINT.. with my many thanks to you!! (0; Welcome to Pink Saturday, and hope you have a wonderful week!

sylvia said...

Hi, I love your blog and I have added myself as a follower!! thanks for you kind comment on my post of today...

Terri said...

Looks yummy! I love watermelon. I am definitely going to have to give these recipes a try. Thanks for stopping by my blog to. Happy Pink Saturday to you!

Marsha @ Tattered Chick said...

Yummmm, I'm going to have to try these watermelon drinks! We have one in the frig! Have a great weekend! :) Marsha

Beverly said...

Welcome to your first Pink Saturday, Mary. I am so glad you decided to join us.

Your blog is not only beautiful, it is a gold mine of wonderful ideas.

I love watermelon, and I am especially fond of the small ones that are now available.

Your cole slaw looks just perfect to accompany my meal tomorrow. I will be trying it. Thank you.

Richa said...

ooh.. you have made my summer! awesome combinations.. i love refreshing watermelon!!

Lisa said...

YUMMY Pinks!! Thanks for the recipes!!
Happy Pink Saturday!
Hugs, Lisa

Valerie said...

Both sound delicious! Thanks for sharing and welcome to Pink Saturday!

Valerie

Unknown said...

Those drinks look absolutely delicious and very pretty too!

Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving your kind comments!

Happy Pink Saturday!
Teresa,
Inside the Mind of a MiniMadWoman

Sara Chapman said...

Love your watermelon post. I love that pink fruit like crazy. Great photo also. And thanks for visiting my peonies, and your kind comments. Visit any time!

Deb in Hawaii said...

Both drinks look so refreshing and delicious! I just bought a little Thai melon at the farmer's market and I think I feel a drink coming on! ;-)

Poppedijne said...

Wat a pretty pink drink.I need to write down the recepie of this.It is a welcome diversion from an ice tea.

Gaby said...

this looks amazing... I want one asap! :) Have a great weekend!

Elena said...

Watermelon is one of my favourite fruits, and those drinks look so refreshing....

Thank you for visiting me Mary - Have a lovely 'pink' week.

God Bless,
Elena :)

Lori said...

I love this drink idea. Watermelon is so refreshing. The juice is not so god straight up by itself but add gin and lime and whoa- now your talking.

Sara said...

These drinks look beautiful!

I am glad you have a great sounding non-alcoholic drink. I like to have something special to serve guests who aren't drinking.

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

Happy Pink to you! You will love Pink Saturday's..there are so many nice ladies.

Now I know where to visit for a fabulous recipe...what a selection you have!

Have a great week,
Stephanie

Karen J said...

Going to try this when we have friends over, looks beautiful!

berlin catering event said...

Both drinks really look and sound perfect to me. I will try them both. Watermelone is simply one of my favorites. And drinkable I even like it more. So thanks for the recipe...

Unknown said...

Can I come over? I promise, I'm a REALLY good house guest! :)

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