Sweet watermelon, tart lime and sparkling water make this drink light and refreshing, while a small amount of simple syrup lets you adjust the balance depending on how sweet your watermelon is.
Makes about 6 servings
Ingredients
- 4 cups cubed seedless watermelon
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup simple syrup, plus more to taste
- 2 cups chilled sparkling water or club soda
- Pinch of salt
- Ice
- Fresh mint and lime wedges, optional
Directions
Blend the watermelon until completely smooth. For a smoother drink, pour the puree through a fine-mesh strainer; for a little more body, leave it as is.
Combine the watermelon puree, lime juice, simple syrup and a small pinch of salt in a pitcher. Stir well and taste.
Just before serving, add the sparkling water and stir gently. Pour over ice and garnish with mint or lime wedges, if desired.
Use the Ratio
The basic idea is approximately 4 parts fruit, ½ part acid, ¼ part sweetener and 2 parts dilution.
That’s a starting point rather than a rigid formula. If the watermelon is especially sweet, use less syrup. If it’s mild, a little more syrup can bring out its flavor. More lime adds brightness, while additional sparkling water makes the drink lighter.
The pinch of salt is optional, but just a tiny amount can make watermelon taste sweeter and more flavorful without making the drink taste salty.
This is also a nice recipe for demonstrating the article’s main lesson: mix, taste, adjust, then add the final dilution.
