Project Foodie - Southern Cocktails

Southern Cocktails - Watermelon Crush

Photo by Robert M. Peacock

While we've all heard about Southern hospitality, it is the cocktail hour that is one of the South's most cherished traditions. Denise Gee provides us an entertaining glimpse into this tradition through interesting stories and wonderful recipes for Southern cocktail concoctions in "Southern Cocktails: Drinks, Party Potions & Classic Libations". Reading Denise's words you'll hear her Southern twang and crave the drinks she presents. In addition to classic Southern drinks such as the Mint Julep you'll be introduced to drinks such as the Derby Cooler, Scarlett O'Hara, and today's recipe the Watermelon Crush. As entertaining as tasty, each recipe offers a glimpse into the Southern cocktail hour through Denise's wonderful narrative. In addition to the drink recipes, Denise provides recipes for traditional Southern appetizers, or Nibbles as she calls them, to complement the drinks and keep everyone's tummy happy.

Watermelon Crush

From "Southern Cocktails: Dixie Drinks, Party Potions & Classic Libations" by Denise Gee, Chronicle Books 2007

Man oh man, the joy of summer is biting into a cold slice of watermelon. In this case, it's drinking that ice-cold fruit with a bit of rum. Offering the slush-fun in a pitcher's just fine, but I like to serve it in an old-fashioned pickle jar. I use Nannie's ladle to scoop it into glass canning jars garnished with a small wedge of watermelon. Try this with honeydew melon sometime.

8 cups seeded, cubed watermelon (about 4 pounds)
1 1/3 cups light rum
1 ½ cups freshly squeezed orange juice, or more to taste
½ cup orange liqueur
¼ cup powdered sugar, or more to taste
2 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice

Put the watermelon cubes in a plastic freezer bag: freeze for at least 8 hours.

Purée the watermelon and the remaining ingredients in batches in a blender or food processor until smooth, scraping down the sides occasionally. Combine the processed mixture well.

Serve in a large old pickle jar or a punch bowl and scoop the mixture into Mason jars, tin cups, or other festive glasses.

About Southern Cocktails

"Don't mind if I do. . . " Welcome to one of the South's most cherished traditions--the cocktail hour. This charming volume overflows with Southern spirit with classics like the Mint Julep and the Hurricane to new concoctions like the Blueberry Martini and the Peach Mojito, each drink is as relaxing as a riverboat ride down the Mississippi. A checklist of Bar Necessities ensures that there will be more than Southern Comfort in the cupboard when company calls, and recipes like Devilish Eggs or Sweet and Sassy Pecans will keep hunger at bay until dinner. Raise a toast to old-time Southern hospitality.