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Sparkling Cilantro-Mint Watermelonade

June 7, 2012 by Mariel Goodson 13 Comments

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Mariel here. It’s been about nine months since I had my last cocktail. I was planning on “breaking the seal” at my best friend’s wedding a few weekends ago and indulging in one solitary glass of wine – my buddy’s husband knows LOTS about nice wines, so I figured if there was any time to sip on a third-trimester bev, that was the time – but unfortunately I got cold feet and stuck to sparkling water.

Somewhere over the course of this pregnancy I read that babies can taste what their mothers ingest, so if you snack on something super pungent or acidic, they make disapproving faces in utero. In retrospect, this sounds kind of absurd.

Nevertheless, because I’ve abstained for the past 36 weeks, why not just knock it out until the full 40? But since “Club Soda with Cranberry” is getting pretty stale, I decided to try my hand at a summery mocktail, one that might make up for all that teetotaling.

This fizzy, herb-infused watermelon juice hit the spot. It’s fresh and fruity and the effervescence suggests booze without displeasing any unborn children. I suspect – post-bebe – I’ll be adding a nip of vodka to my brew, but for now, bottom’s up!

Oh, incidentally, if you’re left with a plethora of herbs and agua-melon, use ’em in our Watermelon Bites with Cilantro-Mint Pesto.

Print This Recipe Print This Recipe

Sparkling Cilantro-Mint Watermelonade
Makes about 2 liters

Ingredients:
¼-cup sugar – stock
¼-cup water – stock
½-cup fresh cilantro sprigs (plus some for garnishing) – $0.99
½-cup fresh mint sprigs (plus some for garnishing) – $1.29
~6 cups of seedless watermelon, cubed – $4.99
2½ cups seltzer – $0.69
Grand total assuming well-stocked kitchen: $7.69

Directions:
1. In a small saucepan, combine the water and sugar and bring to a boil. Add the fresh cilantro & mint, remove from heat and steep for 5 minutes. Strain the syrup into a measuring glass and set aside. Discard the wilted herbs.

2. In batches, transfer the cubed watermelon to a food processor or blender and puree until liquidy.

3. In a large pitcher, combine the watermelon juice, cilantro-mint syrup and seltzer. Stir well. Serve over ice garnished with fresh herbs (and maybe a mini-wedge of watermelon, if you’re feeling fancy)

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Filed Under: Cocktails, Recipe Index, Recipes Under $10, Sweets & Treats, Vegetarian Tagged With: beverages, cocktails, family, kid-friendly, recipes, Recipes Under $10, Summer, vegetarian, watermelon

About Mariel Goodson

The daughter in this mother-daughter duo, Mariel is the co-founder of Brass Hill Design and a former magazine writer who has contributed to Martha Stewart Living, Better Homes & Gardens, SELF, Redbook and Good Housekeeping, among many others.

Comments

  1. Blog is the New Black says

    June 7, 2012 at 8:09 am

    Soooo exciting…. this looks like a great mocktail and us non-preggers ladies can throw some vodka in for good measure!

    Reply
  2. Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says

    June 7, 2012 at 10:24 am

    This sounds soooo refreshing! Awesome mocktail 🙂 Of course I would throw in some vodka or rum, but I would enjoy this non-alcoholic version too!

    Reply
  3. Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe says

    June 7, 2012 at 1:41 pm

    This looks so refreshing and summery! Alcohol or no-alcohol, this bev will be making an appearance in my house this summer!

    Reply
  4. Mandy - The Complete Cook Book says

    June 8, 2012 at 5:43 am

    Fantastic!
    🙂 Mandy

    Reply
    • feastonthecheap says

      June 8, 2012 at 7:56 pm

      Nice to hear from you, Mandy. I suspect you’re in full-blown Autumn by now. Stay warm and happy cooking!

      Reply
  5. Rhonda says

    June 9, 2012 at 11:31 pm

    I have been dreaming up a watermelon cilantro drink myself…you beat me to the punch 😉 I really could use a whole picture of that right now (with some vodka).

    Reply
  6. Baker Street says

    June 11, 2012 at 9:52 am

    So refreshing and delicious! I like the funky glasses you chose to present it.

    Reply
  7. Cass @foodmyfriend says

    June 11, 2012 at 8:16 pm

    I practically live off a similar drink whenever I holiday in Thailand. So refreshing.

    Reply
  8. Mom Foodie says

    June 12, 2012 at 9:23 am

    Mmmm… that sounds pretty good whether you are abstaining or not.

    Reply
  9. Rachel Cooks (formerly Not Rachael Ray) says

    June 12, 2012 at 2:29 pm

    Oh I love, love, love this!!!

    Reply
  10. Sandra - The Foodie Affair says

    June 13, 2012 at 1:19 am

    This looks so refreshing!! I’ll let you know how the vodka infused version comes out!

    Reply
  11. Barbara | Creative Culinary says

    June 19, 2012 at 12:38 am

    Gorgeous. Don’t hate me but I’m thinking I might have to add a bit of vodka. Oops.

    Reply
  12. Renee {Eat.Live.Blog.} says

    June 24, 2013 at 10:30 am

    This seems so absolutely perfect for today’s heat. Now just to find someone to make it and bring it to me…

    Reply

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