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Watermelon margaritas, martinis and daiquiris

Rachael Monaco's photo
Buffalo Cooking Examiner

Memorial Day is just around the corner, and even though Buffalo has had some wild weather this week, Memorial Day promises to be a beautiful day with temperatures in the high 70s and only a twenty-percent chance of rain.

After you have paid homage to the men and women who fought and died to keep America the land of the free, after all the parades, it's time to relax and enjoy the unofficial start of the summer season. Open the pool, kick back, and enjoy these delicious watermelon margaritas. daiquiris or martinis. These can be made "virgin" by leaving out the recommended liquor.

View slideshow: Watermelon margaritas, martinis and daiquiris

Watermelon Margaritas

Ingredients
1 Tbsp. lime zest
1 cup water
1 cup granulated white sugar
6 Tbsp coarse salt, such as Kosher
1 lime cut into 4 wedges
4 cups watermelon puree (see Rachael's Recipe Notes)
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4 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
1 cup tequila (get the best you can afford; recommended: Jose Cuervo Agave Tequila)
4 Tbsp. melon-flavored liqueur
2 cups ice cubes
Directions
In a medium saucepan, combine the lime zest, water, and sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat, and cook, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat. Cool to room temperature and strain out the zest. (can be made in advance; keep in a covered container in the refrigerator.)
Chill a four margarita glasses in the freezer for 30 minutes. Place the coarse salt in a shallow dish or saucer. Wet the rim of the glass with a lime wedge and dip the glass into the salt, coating the top edge.
For each Margarita: in a cocktail shaker, combine 2 Tbsp. of the cooled lime syrup with the watermelon puree, lime juice, tequila, melon-flavored liqueur, and ice. Shake until frothy and well chilled, at least 1 minute. Strain into the prepared glass and garnish with a lime wedge. Yield: 4 servings
Rachael's Recipe Notes:
To make the watermelon puree, remove seeds and rind from fresh watermelon and cut into large chunks. Place in a blender and process until smooth and well pureed. To make 4 cups of puree, you'll need 8 to 9 cups of watermelon chunks.
For a little fun: garnish drinks with a thin slice of watermelon instead of lime.
 
Not in the mood for margaritas? This drink can easily be adapted to make daiquiris by using rum instead of tequila. Make martinis by substituting vodka or gin. Instead of using lime, use lemon, if desired. Garnish glass rims with coarse sugar instead of salt. Use martini or daquiri glasses instead of margarita glasses.
 
 
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Watermelon margaritas, martinis and daiquiris

Slideshow: Watermelon margaritas, martinis and daiquiris

Watermelon margaritas, dacquiris and martinis...oh MY
Watermelon margaritas, dacquiris and martinis...oh MY
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, Buffalo Cooking Examiner

Rachael Monaco is a freelance writer, blogger, wife, mother and cooking enthusiast, born and bred in the suburbs of Buffalo, NY. Rachael has been cooking and baking since the age of 8, and grew up watching Julia Child, Graham Kerr and Martin Yan on PBS. When not cooking and baking, Rachael can be...

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