mai tai

Every week for the last couple of months there has been a watermelon in my CSA bounty. I pray last weeks was the last one! I am watermeloned out! Isn’t it time for pumpkins instead? Anyhow, I did the only thing left to do with another huge watermelon… I made cocktails!

My new motto: When in doubt – Make a Cocktail!

I found the inspiration for a watermelon mai tai from Ted Allen on the Food Network website. After tasting his version, I changed the quantities of his original recipe so I could use more watermelon. We ended up liking the end product even more than the original.

If you’re not familiar with St. Germaine Liqueur, it is one of the “big deals” in the cocktail world at the moment. It is not new though, it has been made in Paris since 1884, it’s just the new hot thing. St. Germain is a sweet liqueur made in the artisanal French style from elderberry flowers. Personally, I would not drink it on its own, but it is delicious in this mai tai. If you want to give it a try without buying a big bottle, do as I did, and buy the “airplane” size bottle from a well-stocked liquor store. I found mine at Total Wine.

Watermelon Mai Tai

2 cups cubed watermelon, seeds removed
3/4 cup light rum
1/4 cup St. Germaine liqueur
2 limes, juiced, plus 2 wedges for garnish
2 tablespoons sugar
Ice

Place the watermelon, rum, St. Germaine liqueur, lime juice, and sugar in a blender and blend on high until smooth.

Pour into 2 double glasses that have been filled with ice. Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy.

Serves 2