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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
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)
Soooo exciting…. this looks like a great mocktail and us non-preggers ladies can throw some vodka in for good measure!
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!
This looks so refreshing and summery! Alcohol or no-alcohol, this bev will be making an appearance in my house this summer!
Fantastic!
🙂 Mandy
Nice to hear from you, Mandy. I suspect you’re in full-blown Autumn by now. Stay warm and happy cooking!
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).
So refreshing and delicious! I like the funky glasses you chose to present it.
I practically live off a similar drink whenever I holiday in Thailand. So refreshing.
Mmmm… that sounds pretty good whether you are abstaining or not.
Oh I love, love, love this!!!
This looks so refreshing!! I’ll let you know how the vodka infused version comes out!
Gorgeous. Don’t hate me but I’m thinking I might have to add a bit of vodka. Oops.
This seems so absolutely perfect for today’s heat. Now just to find someone to make it and bring it to me…
Wow, this is must be best drink for today, perfect. I have to drink it now.