She Strengthens

Summer’s Sweetest Sipper: Watermelon Blackberry Refresher

As the sun shines bright, our taste buds crave something light, refreshing, and bursting with flavor. This Watermelon Blackberry Refresher is the perfect antidote to the summer heat, combining the sweetness of watermelon, the tang of lemonade, and the subtle hint of rum.

The Essential Ingredients

To create this refreshing cocktail, you’ll need:

• 3 pounds of seedless watermelon, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 6 cups)
• 1 cup of light rum
• 1 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 7 medium lemons)
• 1/2 cup of blackberry or raspberry liqueur
• 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar
• Ice
• Blackberries for garnish

Plan Ahead

This recipe is easy to prepare and can be made up to 8 hours in advance. Simply refrigerate the watermelon lemonade mixture until chilled, then stir and serve over ice.

Blending the Magic

To begin, set a fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl and blend the watermelon cubes in a blender until liquified, about 1 minute. Pour the mixture through the strainer, scraping the inside surface to extract as much juice as possible. Discard the pulp and transfer the juice to a nonreactive 2-quart container.

Adding the Finishing Touches

Add the rum, lemon juice, liqueur, and sugar to the watermelon juice. Stir until the sugar has dissolved, then cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours. Just before serving, stir to recombine and pour over ice. Garnish with a few blackberries for a pop of color and a touch of sweetness.

With its unique blend of flavors and refreshing taste, this Watermelon Blackberry Refresher is sure to become your new summer obsession. So go ahead, pour yourself a glass, and toast to the sunshine!