Watermelon Mojito

There aren’t many things in life more refreshing than a good watermelon. The same sentiment applies to the classic rum-spiked Mojito. So, when you combine the two in a cocktail, you get a hydrating, revitalizing drink that can thwart even the warmest of days.

The classic Mojito provides a great template for experimentation that can benefit from the addition of fruits, syrups and lengtheners. The Watermelon Mojito is a clear example of the drink’s versatility. This easy riff on the classic comes from chef Chad Luethje. It stays true to its roots but features a couple clear departures from the traditional recipe. Rather than rum, lime, sugar, mint and soda water, this version takes a left turn by subbing agave nectar for simple syrup and skipping the soda water completely.

However, the agave still provides that necessary kick of sweetness, and the fresh watermelon produces a lot of juice when muddled. That juice lengthens the cocktail in a similar fashion to soda, but with more flavor. So you’re left with a drink that’s arguably even more cooling and refreshing than the classic.

Note that when muddling mint, you want to gently press on the leaves rather than tearing them apart. The former method brings out the herb’s natural aromatics and oils, while the latter strategy actually produces bitter chlorophyll notes that will leach into your drink.

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