If you’ve been saving watermelons for picnics, kids, and deep summer sunshine, think again. It’s ripe right now, and perfect for a spring fling on the patio. Here we’ve whirled it into a sweet slurry and mixed it up with chile peppers, orange liqueur, lime, and mezcal — for an extremely pleasant cocktail with a smoky kick and a light, fruity freshness.


It feels like a celebrational drink. The watermelon is so summery, so unexpected, and so pink! If you’ve got a birthday or you’re planning a tiny, familial awards bash at home, it’ll be a welcome change from the standard margarita — and it’ll pair beautifully with all sorts of Mexican food.

Our tip: We like to use the Del Maguey VIDA for mixed drinks, but especially here because it’s super smoky, but it also has some nice fruit and honey notes. It’s a great companion for the watermelon. And, if you want to make your own watermelon juice, simply slice up a small watermelon and stick it in the blender — blend it until it’s smooth, and then strain out the pulp and use the juice.

Servings: 1

Ingredients

4 slices serrano peppers, seeded
¾ oz simple syrup
2 oz Del Maguey VIDA mezcal
¾ oz orange liqueur
4 oz watermelon juice
¾ oz lime juice
2 to 3 mint leaves
Ice

Directions

1. In a shaker, muddle the serrano pepper slices with simple syrup.
   
   
2. Add the remaining ingredients and cubed ice. Shake, double strain, and pour over highball with fresh cubed ice. Slap or pinch the mint, and add it as a garnish.

Recipe source: Del Maguey