Summer might be over but there is still time to enjoy a few of it’s treasures. This is a super simple but delicious beverage. Juicy watermelon and cucumber combined with lime make for a refreshing drink perfect to sip on the last warm days ahead. If you don’t like the taste of cucumber you could easily make it without but I love the crisp, clean brightness that it adds. Muddling a few basil leaves in the bottom of your glass enhances the bright herbal notes of the cucumber. If you’d like to make this a cocktail add 2/3 cup of vodka to the mix.
Watermelon cucumber cooler
- 6 cups cubed seedless watermelon
- 1 large english cucumber, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons agave nectar or honey
- 1/4 cup basil leaves
- cucumber slices for garnish
Set a large fine-mesh sieve over a large bowl or pitcher. In a food processor or belener, puree watermelon and cucumber. Pour puree through sieve, pressing on solids with a rubber spatula.
In a small bowl, stir together lime juice and agave nectar or honey. Add to watermelon and cucumber mixture. Taste and adjust sweetness with more agave nectar or honey. To serve place a few pieces of basil in the bottom of the glass, with a muddler or the end of a rolling pin gently bruise the leaves until they impart a nice herbal scent. Fill the glass with ice fill with the watermelon mixture and garnish with a few cucumber slices and basil leaves.
