The weekend is our time for trying new cocktail recipes, and this weekend it’s watermelon cocktails for National Watermelon Month (National Watermelon Day is coming up on August 3rd).
A glass of watermelon juice is one of our favorite summer refreshers. You can add a squeeze of lime and a splash of something white and alcoholic (gin, rum, tequila, vodka, wine).
But to celebrate National Watermelon Day, August 3rd, we’re mixing up some cocktails for a small group of friends; specifically, rum cocktails.
We start with two recipes from Hawaii’s Kōloa Rum Company, an artisanal, single-batch rum producer that we recommended for holiday gifts last year.
Their mixologists whipped up:
Both use Kōloa Rum’s Kauai White Rum (the category is also known as light rum and silver rum).
They’re great for pool sipping, backyard barbecues, and watching the sunset, as well as for indoor enjoyment, of course. The recipes follow.
> The history of the Pina Colada.
> The history of cocktails.
RECIPE: WATERMELON RUM PUNCH
Ingredients
Preparation
1. COMBINE the watermelon, juice of 1 lime, and sugar in a blender; blend until liquid.
2. MUDDLE the mint and remaining lime juice in a cocktail shaker. Add the rum, watermelon mixture, and ice; shake or stir well.
3. STRAIN into rocks glasses over fresh ice and top with club soda. Garnish as desired.
RECIPE #2: PASTEL PIÑA COLADA
The pastel comes from the watermelon because the watermelon turns the cream of coconut pink.
Ingredients For 2 Standard Or 1 Large Cocktails(s)
Preparation
1. ADD all ingredients to a blender and blend until liquid. Pour into a tall glass, garnish and serve.
MORE WATERMELON COCKTAIL RECIPES
Spicy Watermelon Margarita
Watermelon Cocktail With Gin & Pineapple Juice
WATERMELON DISHES
ABOUT KŌLOA RUM COMPANY
Established in 2009, Kōloa Rum Company produces artisanal, single-batch Hawaiian rum and ready-to-drink cocktails at its distillery in Kalāheo, Kaua’i and operates Hawai’i’s first distilled spirits Tasting Room and Company Store.
The company’s award-winning portfolio includes its premium Kaua’i White, Gold, Dark, Spice, Coconut, Coffee, Cacao, and Aged rums, in addition to a collection of delicious ready-to-drink cocktails.
Products are available for purchase online, at select retailers nationwide, and internationally in Australia, Canada and Japan. For more information, visit KolaRum.com.
[1] Watermelon Rum Punch (photos #1, #2 and #3 © Kōloa Rum).
[2] Pastel Piña Colada.
[3] Kōloa White Rum.
[4] Watermelon cooler: no alcohol required (photo © Edward Howell | Unsplash).
[5] How watermelons grow (photo by Fred Hsu | Wikimedia Commons).
[6] Watermelon salsa. Serve it with tortilla chips. Here’s the recipe (photos #6 and #7 © National Watermelon Promotion Board).
[7] Watermelon Caprese Salad. Here’s the recipe.