I’ve been working on a watermelon martini for a while now. It’s not an easy flavor to “create”. After trying several “flavoring syrups” (which taste more like a watermelon Jolly Rancher than actual “watermelon flavor”), a Bai watermelon antioxidant infusion (a very mild watermelon taste), and even a watermelon vodka, I’ve decided that the only true way to make a watermelon martini, is with ACTUAL WATERMELON JUICE! This does take some time (not much, really), however the end result is sooooo worth it. My recipe makes about 3 martinis, and required about 1/2 of a med. size seedless watermelon.

Right now watermelons are in season (July) in my area. The best ones are the very red, juicy ones. You can buy a cut piece, so that you can be sure it is very ripe, and sweet. The color of the juice is rich, and beautiful!

Make a few watermelon balls for your garnishes, using a small melon ball scoop. Refrigerate til ready to use.

There are many ways to get the juice out of your watermelon – using a blender, or food processor will work. My technique is rather simple. Just cut up the watermelon into chunks, and place in a gallon size ziplock bag. Then squeeze the juice out with your hands, crushing the chunks gently. I then pour the mixture through a fine mesh sieve – pressing the pulp with a wooden spoon, til all the juice is extracted.

Refrigerate the juice, or even FREEZE it for a few martinis another time!

Recipe for fresh watermelon martinis (makes 3 servings)

1 c fresh watermelon juice
1/2 c Triple sec
1/2 c plain Vodka

Shake with ice in a martini shaker, til VERY cold – at least 30 shakes. Pour into frozen glasses, and garnish with fresh watermelon balls and mint leaves on a skewer.