The trickiest part of concocting this refreshment will surely be the watermelon carving.
Watermelons pretty much scream summer. Everyone has a childhood memory that involves a late summer evening munching on cold watermelon and artfully spitting out the black seeds in a long arc across the yard.
If you’re a grownup who still craves that sweet summer taste, this Watermelon Jalapeño Margarita is refreshing with a bit of a kick, and will hit the spot on a hot summer day.
The fruity taste of the watermelon is paired perfectly with a silver or reposado tequila. Though I generally prefer my margaritas served without a salted rim, I take exception here. The salt truly makes the flavor of the watermelon and jalapeño shine.
The trickiest part of concocting this refreshment will surely be the watermelon carving. Use a large, serrated knife, but take extreme caution. Even baby watermelons are big and unwieldy, and tough to carve. Luckily, the watermelon slicing part of the recipe comes before you drink the margarita and not after.
Be safe when carving and when drinking!
Watermelon Jalapeño Margarita
1 seedless baby watermelon
2 limes
1 jalapeño pepper
1 cup silver or reposado tequila
1/3 cup triple sec
1/4 cup kosher salt
- Line a large sheet tray with parchment paper. Use a large, sharp, serrated knife for carving the watermelon. Trim off the rind. Dice the watermelon into one-inch cubes. Place the whole tray in the freezer until the cubes of watermelon are frozen solid, about six to eight hours.
- Slice the jalapeño pepper in half and remove and discard all seeds. Cut it in a rough chop.
- Fill a blender with eight cups of watermelon. Also add about half of the diced jalapeño.
- Pour in one cup of tequila and 1/3 cup of triple sec. Add the juice of two limes, as well. Do not discard the limes.
- Put the top on the blender and whirl around until the drink is well blended, about a minute or two. If it is too thick to pour, add a little more lime juice or water and blend again.
- Place the kosher salt in a shallow dish. For those that like salt on their margarita, run the lime around the top lip of their glass. Then, dip it in the salt.
- Divide the margarita evenly among four glasses.
This recipe will yield four drinks.
