A Perfect Summer Cocktail

It’s a beautiful Memorial Day here in SoCal, a great start to the summer grilling-and-barbecue season. Tina found this cocktail recipe in the June issue of the Costco Connection magazine that’s a perfect – and original – compliment to any sort of outdoor feast. Or indoor, for that matter.

We’ll post a delicious flank steak recipe from Food Network star Guy Fieri when we get a chance. In the meantime, kick back and suck down a watermelon mojito – and have a great Memorial Day.

30 large fresh mint leaves, coarsely torn by hand
3 or 4 thick slices of fresh watermelon
12 oz. light rum
½ cup simple syrup (simply one cup sugar and one cup water boiled until the sugar dissolves)
6 teaspoons freshly squeezed lime juice (3 limes)
Mint sprigs and watermelon slices for garnish

Use a mortar and pestle to mash the mint leaves, and after removing seeds, but the watermelon into a food processor and puree.

Put the mashed mint into a large pitcher with 2 cups of pureed watermelon, the rum, syrup and lime juice and stir to combine.

Place ice in 6 glasses and pour the concoction over the ice, garnish and serve ice cold. Makes 6 drinks.

Sidenote: If you want an extra kick – and this was not part of the original recipe – add a shot or three of Bacardi 151 to the pitcher. Or add a shot of 151 or dark Myers's Rum atop the glass as a delicious, and potent, floater.

Recipe was reprinted in Costco Connection as it appeared in Barefoot Contessa How Easy is That? (Clarkson Potter, 2010). Photo is from Barefootcontessa.com.