Watermelon-Basil Mezcal Margarita
Total Time
10 minutes
Prep Time
10 minutes
Rating
4.07 out of 5 stars
(16)
Ingredients
1 serving
- Flaky salt for rimming the glass (optional)
- 4-6 large fresh basil leaves (depending on how much basil flavor you like)
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 3 ounces fresh watermelon juice (recipe follows)
- 2 ounces mezcal (or tequila)
- 3 cups cubed watermelon
- Watermelon cut into roughly ½-inch cubes
- Lime wedges (I recommend slicing your limes into ¼-inch rounds, then slicing each round into four triangles.)
- Fresh basil leaves
- Bamboo skewers
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Preparation
Step 1
If you plan to garnish your cocktail with a fancy fruit skewer, make that first. Trim your bamboo skewer so that it's about 1-inch taller than the cocktail glass you plan to use. Thread a cube of watermelon onto the skewer, a lime wedge, and a basil leaf. Repeat until the skewer is full. (It’s usually best to end on a watermelon cube for stability and presentation purposes, but don’t stress about it.) Briefly set aside.
Step 2
Next, make the watermelon juice. Place your cubed watermelon in a blender and puree until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh strainer (yes, a pasta strainer will work if that’s all you have) into a glass or mason jar.
Step 3
If you like a salt rim on your marg, pour some flaky sea salt onto a small plate. Moisten the rim of your cocktail glass and dip it in the salt.
Step 4
Add the basil leaves and lime juice to a cocktail shaker and muddle gently. Add the watermelon juice, mezcal and a few ice cubes and shake vigorously to combine.
Step 5
Strain the margarita into the rimmed cocktail glass and garnish with a decorative fruit skewer if you like.
Step 6
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