Watermelon is my favorite thing about summer. I know that sounds dramatic but it’s really true. I could eat it every single day of my life and never tire of how refreshing and tasty it is. While I love watermelon, I’m a bit picky about the texture. It needs to be crisp and perfect. The sweetness needs to be there too. Sometimes I’ll buy two watermelons and one will be a bit on the mealier side. When this happens, some would maybe just throw it out, but I would never do that!

I like to chop it up and make watermelon juice. And if I do that then a cocktail is quickly in order. I like muddling some mint leaves, adding a splash of simple syrup, tons of ice and a good amount of bourbon. Yum. It’s the perfect quick and simple summer cocktail.

I hope you give it a whirl!

Watermelon Bourbon Cocktail

Watermelon is a staple of Summer. Chop up the extra slices and make this watermelon bourbon cocktail, easy to sip poolside. (Recipe Credit: Adrianna Adarme of Fresh Tastes)

Ingredients

• 1 (3-pound) watermelon, cut into cubes 
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water 
• Ice
• 1 (3-pound) watermelon, cut into cubes 
• Handful of fresh mint leaves
• Bourbon of choice

Directions

1. You may need to do this in batches, depending on the size of your blender. To a blender, add the cubes of watermelon and pulse until very smooth. Place a strainer atop a large bowl and pour the watermelon puree through the strainer. Discard the pulp and transfer the watermelon juice to a carafe and place in the fridge until you’re ready to use. When you’re about to use it, give it a stir (some of the pulp will sink to the bottom). 
2. To a small saucepan, add the sugar and water and warm until the sugar dissolves. Set the simple syrup aside. 
3. Add a few leaves of mint to two glasses. Using a muddler or the bottom handle of a wooden spoon, crush the mint leaves 

Adrianna Adarme is a food blogger and author living in Los Angeles, California. She writes the blog A Cozy Kitchen, where she shares comforting, everyday recipes from her kitchen. She recently authored her first cookbook, PANCAKES: 72 Sweet and Savory Recipes for the Perfect Stack. She’s a lover of breakfast, pie (and sometimes even pie for breakfast), corgis and cute things. You can find her on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.