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Watermelon Basil Cooler is a refreshing drink that’s one of our favorite ways to cool off in the summer! We blend up fresh watermelon into a juice and add basil simple syrup to make a sweet and fruity beverage. Topped off with sparkling water, this is the perfect drink on a hot summer day.
Watermelon for summer is not exactly ground-breaking, but the combination here can’t be beat. We love combining watermelon with different summer herbs like in our Watermelon & Arugula with Cucumber, Feta, & Mint salad.
We served this at a Sparkling Water Bar for a baby shower that we hosted recently (more to come on that!), and it was a clear favorite among the guests. Place glasses and carafes of juices on a tray and serve alongside sparkling water and cava, so guests can easily make their own drinks. Having a drink station is key to hosting a larger gathering because it frees up the host to mingle rather than mix drinks!
Watermelon Basil Cooler Drink
Watermelon Basil Cooler is a sweet and refreshing drink for summer! Cool off with fresh watermelon, basil simple syrup, and sparkling water.
When we lived in New York years ago, we had a Watermelon Basil Mimosa at the now-closed Northern Spy Food Co. in the East Village. We instantly fell in love with the combination and had to make a version at home. Sparkling water makes a drink that’s friendly for the whole family, but feel free to use your favorite dry sparkling white wine (like cava) to make a cocktail.
Ingredients
1/2 cup granulated sugar
handful of fresh basil, plus more for garnish
2 1/2 pounds fresh watermelon, cubed (about 7 1/2 cups)
juice of one lime, freshly squeezed (optional)
sparkling water
Method
Step 1 – Make Basil simple syrup
In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, add 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup water. Stir to combine. Gently heat the mixture until the sugar dissolves in the water. Once dissolved, remove from heat and add in a handful of fresh basil. Bruise the basil to release the natural oils. Allow the mixture to cool completely, then strain out basil leaves and pour syrup in an airtight container.
Step 2 – Make fresh watermelon juice
Add watermelon cubes to blender and blend completely. Work in batches depending on the amount of watermelon and size of blender. Once watermelon is blended, strain using a fine mesh sieve to remove pulp. After all watermelon has been blended and strained, mix with the juice of one lime and pour into an airtight container.
Step 3 – Make watermelon basil mixer
In a tall carafe, combine 3 cups watermelon juice with 4 ounces basil simple syrup. Add more or less of the basil simple syrup depending on desired sweetness.
Step 3 – Make watermelon basil drink
In a short glass, add 2 ounces of the Watermelon Basil Mixer and top with sparkling water. Garnish with a watermelon cube and basil leaf. Serve immediately.
Serving Tips
Store the simple syrup and juice in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The simple syrup will last for weeks, and the juice will stay fresh for a few days. We recommend mixing with the sparkling water (or wine) just before serving to ensure the drink stays bubbly.
For a party, you can set up a drink station with glasses, carafes of juices, and the sparkling water/wine, so guests can serve themselves. This drink is perfect for a summer barbecue, baby shower, wedding shower, or brunch.
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Watermelon Basil Cooler
Equipment
- blender
- fine mesh sieve
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- handful of fresh basil plus more for garnish
- 2 1/2 pounds fresh watermelon cubed (about 7 1/2 cups)
- juice of one lime freshly squeezed (optional)
- sparkling water
Instructions
- In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, add 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup water. Stir to combine. Gently heat the mixture until the sugar dissolves in the water. Once dissolved, remove from heat and add in a handful of fresh basil. Bruise the basil to release the natural oils. Allow the mixture to cool completely, then strain out basil leaves and pour syrup in an airtight container.
- Add watermelon cubes to blender and blend completely. Work in batches depending on the amount of watermelon and size of blender. Once watermelon is blended, strain using a fine mesh sieve to remove pulp. After all watermelon has been blended and strained, mix with the juice of one lime and pour into an airtight container.
- In a tall carafe, combine 3 cups watermelon juice with 4 ounces basil simple syrup. Add more or less of the basil simple syrup depending on desired sweetness.
- In a short glass, add 2 ounces of the Watermelon Basil Mixer and top with sparkling water. Garnish with a watermelon cube and basil leaf. Serve immediately.
