Watermelon in October? Yep! Watermelon are still popping up at my local farmers markets and last weekend at our CSA farm tour my son found a huge one that we got to take home! We couldn’t eat all of it in time, so I ended up juicing it. I got 3 quarts of delicious, sweet pleasingly-pink juice outta the sucker!
Juicing the watermelon is really easy–you just cut the flesh into chunks, toss it in a blender (no need to pick out the seeds), pulse it a handful of times, then strain it through a fine mesh strainer. I froze 1 quart of the juice to save for mid-winter (nothing like having watermelon sorbet in January, eh?), turned some of it into watermelon juice cubes, and turned the rest into cocktails…and a mocktail version for my son.
This cocktail is super simple and quick to make and is bursting with fresh fruity flavor! Pour equal parts watermelon juice and light rum into a jar or cocktail shaker along with fresh lemon juice and a bit of agave nectar. Put the lid on and shake it, then strain it into a glass over the watermelon cubes and top off with club soda. The watermelon cubes keep your drink cold without diluting it like ice cubes would. Plus they’re super cute!
I’m totally rockin an 80’s vibe in this photo…dramatic window shade lighting and hot pink! I can just hear the Flashdance soundtrack playing in the background….What a feeling, being’s believin’ (I am rhythm now)…
For the alcohol-free version, double the watermelon juice, nix the rum (duh, right?), add a bit more agave and finish with the club soda; or use lemon-lime soda and reduce or eliminate the amount of agave nectar. I added lemon wedges to the “adult” drinks and a lime wedge to the “kiddie” drink….don’t want to accidentally mix them up! I mean, I would hate to drink a whole glass and then find out there was no booze in it! Just kidding! (not kidding)
It would be a snap to whip up a pitcher of these for a party and let each person top off their drink with the club soda…or you could use Prosecco!
Light, refreshing and fizzy! Cheers!
This recipe has been submitted to the Virtual Vegan Linky Potluck.
Watermelon Rum Fizz (+ mocktail version)
3 ounces light rum
juice from 1 lemon
agave nectar to taste
club soda
watermelon juice cubes, optional
Fill a shaker or mason jar halfway with ice. Pour in the watermelon juice, rum, and lemon juice and a splash of agave nectar and shake. Taste and add more agave nectar if desired. Pour into two glasses and top off with club soda. Add 1 – 2 frozen watermelon juice cubes (optional).
*For the mocktail version (1 drink), add 3 ounces of watermelon juice, juice from half of a lemon and lime, and a squeeze of agave nectar to a jar and shake well. Pour over the watermelon cubes and top off with club soda or lemon lime soda; taste and add additional agave nectar if needed.
Enjoy!
the Seasonal Veg Head 
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