Watermelon Mojitos

This would make a nice addition to your Derby Party today. Do you remember injecting vodka or rum into watermelons and oranges when you were not quite of the legal drinking age? Come on, I know I'm not the only one that ever did that. Well this cool refreshing summer drink is a little more sophisticated than that, and heaven knows we are all well past the legal drinking age.

Watermelon Mojitos
6 drinks
print recipe

30 large fresh mint leaves, coarsely torn by hand
3 or 4 thick slices fresh sweet watermelon
12 ounces light rum, such as Bacardi
1/2 cup simple syrup (see note)
6 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (about 3 limes)
Sprigs of mint and spears of watermelon, for serving

Use a mortar and pestle to mash the mint leaves. Remove and discard the rind and seeds of the watermelon. Put the fruit into a food processor fitted with the steel blade and puree. Put the mashed mint into a large pitcher with 2 cups of pureed watermelon, the rum simple syrup, and lime juice and stir to combine. Pour the mixture into a pitcher for serving.

Place ice cubes in 6 glasses and pour the mojito mixture into the glasses. Garnish with sprigs of fresh mint and spears of watermelon. Serve ice cold.

Cook's Note: To make simple syrup, put 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a small pan and simmer until sugar dissolves. Chill