Recipe: Watermelon Cooler

In honor of our anniversary I thought I'd share a recipe here today. I came across this drink when we were on our honeymoon up at the Inn at Mill Falls. These hotels are ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!! I totally recommend them for a weekend getaway or even to get married.  They have really lovely facilities and exceptional customer service.  Also the rooms are just out of this world... and the BEDS... OMG the BEDS ARE JUST... YOU NEVER WANT TO LEAVE. 

The day after our wedding we drove the couple hours up to New Hampshire and were pretty much exhausted...  We were also starving.  Since we were so tired we didn't feel like getting super dressed up so we walked down to a bar just down the boardwalk from our glorious hotel.  It was this really fun restaurant called Town Docks. We sat at a picnic table and had our feet in the sand and we scarfed down pretty much everything in sight - it was fantastic!! I attempted to eat the biggest burger I've ever seen (I didn't read the menu closely, I had no idea how big it was) and also treated myself to a little something to drink: a Watermelon Cooler. I'd never had one before, but it sounded so amazeballs I ordered one right away. 

The nice thing about this drink is that it drips with summertime... It's got some mint to cool things down, watermelon which helps to quench your thirst on even the hottest of days, and vodka.  Need I say more?  Bonus: it's also super easy to make!!  You can wow your friends with this for the 4th of July. You can even make a virgin version which is also super yum by just leaving out the vodka - it's still REALLY tasty!

Watermelon Cooler

*I forgot to get out the vodka for this photo!

1 slice of watermelon

1 oz watermelon vodka (or leave this out for a virgin drink)

2-3 mint leaves (you can add more or less depending on what you like)

Ice – (or if you want to get really fancy, freeze watermelon chunks and use them!)

Sprite (I’ve been using Sprite Zero and it works just as nicely)

Cut up your watermelon slice. You're going to mash it, so it doesn't have to be fine diced or anything. Sometimes if I'm feeling particularly lazy I just rip off the pink parts with my hands... but don't be like me, use a knife.

 In a highball glass (or a pint glass) cut up your watermelon and toss in the mint. Using a muddler (or a super classy hand mixer beater) mash the heck out of the watermelon and mint. 

It should look like watermelon soup when you're done. 

When it’s sufficiently pulverized, add a shot of watermelon vodka (or more depending on your tastes), a few cubes of ice, and top off with sprite (until the glass is full). 

Stir it a bit with your straw, sip, and enjoy!!

Watermelon Cooler
1 slice of watermelon
1 shot watermelon vodka (or leave this out for a virgin drink)
2-3 mint leaves
Ice – (or if you want to get really fancy, freeze watermelon chunks and use them!)
Sprite (I’ve been using Sprite Zero and it works just as nicely)

Cut up your watermelon slice. You're going to mash it, so it doesn't have to be fine diced or anything. Sometimes if I'm feeling particularly lazy I just rip off the pink parts with my hands... but don't be like me, use a knife.  In a highball glass (or a pint glass) cut up your watermelon and toss in the mint. Using a muddler (or a hand mixer beater) mash the heck out of the watermelon and mint. It should look like watermelon soup when you're done. When it’s sufficiently pulverized, add a shot of watermelon vodka (or more to match your tastes), a few cubes of ice, and top off with Sprite (until the glass is full). Stir with a straw (or spoon) and sip away!!