The cool and refreshing taste of a Watermelon Mojito is the ultimate way to beat the summer heat.
Some years back, I lived in Philly. The neighborhood we were in was in Center City, about a ten or fifteen-minute walk to Broad Street and everything around there. Including the Park Hyatt at The Bellevue, where I used to work as an overnight bellhop. I have some interesting stories from that job, but tonight’s cocktail reminded me of my days off in the City of Brotherly Love instead.
The first few weeks in Philadelphia were awkward, and it took me a bit to get acquainted with living there. Not that I wasn’t familiar with big cities, but because I was used to living in New York. My family was also from the Big Apple, so my first time in another metropolis felt like an alternate universe at first, which was kinda weird.
It was summer and hot while I was first getting my Philly bearings, and thankfully, we had a local coffee shop around the corner that catered to artistic and bohemian personalities like myself, and the owner always made us feel welcome and comfortable. That was where I discovered the pleasures of ice-cold watermelon beverages, like the lemonade they made fresh there during that hot and humid season.
So when I had a recent opportunity to imbibe more than a few Watermelon Mojitos, today’s recipe, each minty and tartly fresh sip brought me right back to those sunny days in a strange but welcoming city.
That’s part of what I love most about cocktails. It’s like time travel, but without the danger of messing up the space-time continuum.
What is the best rum to use in a Watermelon Mojito?
For the freshest taste and most balanced flavor, our recipe suggests a white rum, which is clear in color, unaged and has lovely tropical notes that will mix beautifully with the other ingredients. Something like Bacardi Silver is easy to find as well as cost-effective, and makes for some lovely and light sipping on a hot day. For a stronger, richer experience, you can use some Wray & Nephew, a Jamaican overproof white rum.
Ingredients
- 1 cup ripe watermelon cubes
- 8 fresh mint leaves
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 2 teaspoons superfine sugar
- 2 ounces white rum
- Club soda to top
- A watermelon slice or mint sprig for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Add the watermelon cubes, mint leaves, lime juice, and sugar to a shaker and muddle them together.
- Add the rum into the shaker and shake well.
- Pour the mixture over ice into a highball glass, filling it two-thirds. Top with club soda and garnish with a sprig of mint or a small slice of watermelon.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
Chill a highball glass in the freezer before serving for an extra cold and crisp drink. Fill with ice, pour your Mojito in and garnish with a fresh sprig of mint and a slice of watermelon on the rim.
Can you use regular sugar instead of superfine?
You can if no superfine sugar is handy. The regular kind will be a little grittier and leave your mixture with a slightly “sandy” texture, so it is best to use superfine whenever you make this beverage.
Other fruity Mojito variations worth trying
If it’s fresh and minty libations that you and your friends are craving at the next backyard barbecue, you can breathe easy knowing that there are plenty of Mojitos you can make, serve and sip on as the sun beats down. But perhaps today’s drink inspired you to seek out other tasty and flavorful variations. Reinvigorate your senses with some of these refreshing fruity mixtures.
- Orange Mojito – Take a cool plunge with this citrusy treat.
- Blueberry Mojito – The tangy taste of blueberries fills this cocktail with magic.
- Strawberry Mojito – One of the tastiest summertime libations you’ll ever have.
- Pineapple Arugula Mojito – Relax your mind and body with this peppery and tart elixir.
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