Watermelon Strawberry Sangria

Did you know that today is National Watermelon Day? Well, it is and the timing couldn’t be more perfect because this cool, healthy fruit is a summer staple. I’ve used it for several recipes this season, including a watermelon and feta salad, watermelon margaritas and watermelon ice cubes to go with homemade lemonade.

After making a batch of refreshing margaritas, I decided to use the rest of the flavorful fruit to make some thirst-quenching sangria. This simple recipe yields four to six servings and is perfect for a backyard barbecue. Summer and sangria definitely go together like peanut butter and jelly. Enjoy!

Watermelon Margaritas

Happy Margarita Monday! Rough start to your week? Nothing some watermelon margaritas can’t fix! These refreshing summer sippers will get the fiesta (or siesta) started in no time. To add the watermelon flavor to a classic margarita, I used the seasonal fruit to create a flavored simple syrup and the watermelon puree. It’s a fun twist and adds just enough flavor, but does not overpower the traditional drink. This recipe yields two drinks, but next time I might try to make a larger batch to serve in a pitcher at a backyard barbecue. Hope you enjoy this tasty treat to beat the heat.

 Watermelon Margaritas

Ingredients

For the margarita:

• 1/4 cup watermelon simple syrup (recipe below)
• 1/3 cup fresh watermelon puree (made from 1/2 cup watermelon chunks)
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 3 ounces Grand Marnier
• 3 ounces tequila
• margarita salt
• lime wedge

For the watermelon simple syrup:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup fresh watermelon chunks

How to:

1. To make the watermelon simple syrup, place sugar, water and watermelon chunks in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Turn heat down to medium and simmer for about 5 minutes. Once sugar is fully dissolved, strain through cheesecloth into a small bowl. Chill in fridge for at least 2 hours.
2. For the watermelon puree, add 1/2 cup of watermelon chunks to a blender and puree on high until smooth.
3. To make the drink, combine ice, syrup, puree, lime juice and liquor in a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously and pour into a chilled, ice-filled glass with salted rim. Garnish with a slice of lime.

Grilled Watermelon and Feta Salad

Hello, June! How did you sneak up on us already? I may not be ready for the heat, but I am ready for the barbecues! This grilled watermelon and feta salad is a great addition to any summer cookout. The charred watermelon adds a unique, seasonal twist to the classic combo.

I used the same ingredients to make two versions of the salad. The stacked salad is a fun, aesthetically-pleasing way to serve it at a backyard barbecue. For a traditional side, the tossed salad can be made in one bowl and easily transported to a party. The cool, refreshing dish is sure to be a hit.

Grilled Watermelon and Feta Salad: Two Ways

Ingredients

• 8 ounces whole feta cheese
• 1/2 large watermelon, cut into slices 1″ thick
• 1 avocado
•  2 cups arugula
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• salt and paper to taste
• olive oil

Directions

1. Place balsamic vinegar in a small sauecpan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer until thickened, about five minutes. Let cool.
2. Lightly drizzle olive oil over watermelon and season with salt and pepper to taste. Grill quickly, about 30 seconds per side, until slightly charred.
3. Toss arugula with a teaspoon of olive oil.
4. For the stacked salad: Cut feta cheese length wise into four smaller squares. Cut watermelon slices into 8 squares that are the same size as the feta. Place one watermelon square on the plate and then top it with the feta square, another watermelon square and a slice of avocado. Sprinkle desired amount of arugula on top of watermelon stack and drizzle with reduced balsamic vinegar.
5. For the tossed salad: Place 1 cup of arugula on a plate. Cut cheese, watermelon and avocado into bite-sized squares, then add to arugula and toss. Drizzle with reduced balsamic vinegar.

 

 

 

Happy Watermelon Day!

In honor of this holiday (and summer in general) I wanted to share some of my favorite watermelon recipes! Sliced or cubed isn’t the only way to eat this classic summer treat. For example, I’ve made watermelon ice cubes to add add a festive twist to lemonade. Here are some other creative ideas from fellow bloggers that use this refreshing fruit.

Margarita Watermelon Cupcakes from Cooking with Curls.

Watermelon Cheesecake from  Culinary Concoctions by Peabody.

Watermelon Feta Bites from Yummy Mummy Kitchen.

Watermelon Margarita Granitas from Brit + Co.

Homemade Lemonade

Lemonade is a classic drink that takes us back to the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. When I was little, my sister and I would set up a lemonade stand at the end of our driveway in the hopes of making a little extra change. And I definitely mean a little. It was a fond childhood memory and part of the reason it has always been a favorite seasonal drink of mine.

Here is a traditional, tasty lemonade recipe that only requires 3 ingredients and is very easy to make. It has the perfect balance between tart and sweet. This refreshing drink makes me want to live in the south and sip this chilled concoction from a mason jar while sitting on a porch swing. Although I live in the city, I am a country girl at heart.

Ingredients:

• 5 lemons
• 1 cup sugar
• 5 cups water

How to

• Wash lemons and zest 2-3 of them. Set aside.
• Juice lemons into a bowl. Then strain into measuring cup.
• In a small saucepan over medium heat, add sugar, 1 cup water, zest and lemon juice. Simmer for about 5 minutes until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat.
• Pour into large pitcher and stir in remaining water. Add more depending on how tart or sweet you like it.

For a fun twist, add watermelon ice cubes!

Watermelon Ice Cubes

Watermelon ice cubes are a fun addition to any drink! They are perfect for a picnic or barbecue. Plop them in a pitcher of lemonade or create a fruit-infused cup of water. There are only 5 simple steps:

1. Line a baking sheet with wax paper
2. Cut a watermelon into cubes
3. Place on baking sheet
4. Cover with wax paper
5. Place in freezer

Enjoy and keep cool!