No 4th of July barbecue is complete without watermelon. I’d like to amend that statement to include watermelon cocktails!

This refreshing summer cocktail is the perfect accompaniment to whatever you’ll be throwing on the grill this Independence Day. Martha Stewart inspired this recipe, which I adapted from her watermelon and basil margaritas.

The watermelon is cool and refreshing, while the mint and basil balance the sweetness and give it a fresh, crisp herbal note. You can use all mint or all basil, if you prefer.

4th of July Watermelon Cocktail

7 1/2 pounds seedless watermelon, rind removed, fruit cut into 1-inch cubes
4 teaspoons superfine sugar
6 ounces silver tequila
12 basil leaves
12 mint leaves
2.5 ounces Cointreau
6 cups ice

Make watermelon ice cubes by putting 24 pieces of cubed watermelon on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Freeze for one hour, covered.
Take the rest of the watermelon plus the sugar and puree until smooth. Strain into a bowl. Put the tequila, basil and mint in a pitcher and muddle. Then stir in Cointreau and watermelon puree. Pour mixture into cocktail shaker with ice and mix for each cocktail. Put watermelon ice cubes in a glass and pour cocktail in. Garnish with herb sprigs and enjoy!

Red, White and Blue Cocktail
More 4th of July Cocktails
More Summer Cocktails

Beefeater 24 gin inspired me to concoct this simple cocktail that plays with the tea and citrus notes of the liquor.

I think it accentuates the spirit’s flavor and is a good match for its smooth and rich nuanced character.

Using frozen fruit and berries as ice cubes is a new thing I’ve been doing lately.

Not only is it pretty, but it cuts down on the water that will be added to your drink if you’re not a fast drinker. Also it slowly imparts a bit of the fruit flavor for a subtle twist.

Top it off with a splash or two of club soda if you want to add a little bit of effervescence to your day.

The Bee’s Teas

1.5 oz Beefeater 24 Gin (actually a wee bit more than this)
1 oz. warm water
1 oz. honey
Juice from 1 lemon
1 Earl Grey tea bag
Frozen cranberries

Steep the tea bag in the gin for about 10-15 minutes (I overpoured a little bit, since some liquid will get lost in the process).  The resulting liquid should be the color of a dark cup of tea. Mix the honey into the warm water so it dissolves. Pour the gin-tea, honey-water and lemon juice over ice in a cocktail shaker and shake very gently. Pour into a rocks glass and add frozen cranberries. (Optional: top off with splash of club soda)

Beefeater 24 review
More gin cocktail recipes

more drink of the week cocktails

• Three Rivers (drinkoftheweek.com)
• Acai Grapefruit Cooler (drinkoftheweek.com)
• Ginger Rogers (drinkoftheweek.com)

What to get dear old dad for Father’s Day? Another tie, some after shave a bottle of scotch (oh that last one is pretty good). Forget that, we say mix pops up a fancy cocktail. He’ll be impressed with your bar skills as you shake him up this tangy mixture of Vodka, Cointreau and Campari.

After two, you’ll certainly have a Happy Dad!

The Happy Dad

1 ½ oz Oval Vodka
¾ oz Cointreau
1 oz Campari
orange twist for garnish

Shake first three ingredients with ice in a shaker. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with orange twist.

more drinks for Dad
past Drink of the Week cocktails

recipe & photo courtesy Oval Vodka

Posted in Vodka, Drink of the Week, Holidays |