American
Sparkling Watermelon Ginger Cooler
Fresh watermelon juice brightened with homemade ginger syrup, lime and mint, topped with sparkling water and served over frozen melon cubes.
- Frozen watermelon ice cubes
- Spicy homemade ginger syrup
- Refreshing and fizzy
On the hottest Miami afternoons, nothing cools us down faster than this fizzy pink cooler. Fresh watermelon juice is naturally sweet, so a spicy homemade ginger syrup adds warmth and backbone while lime keeps it tangy. Instead of plain ice, we freeze small cubes of watermelon so the drink stays cold without getting watery. Topping each glass with sparkling water right before serving keeps every sip lively.
Instructions
Spread 1 1/2 cups of the watermelon cubes, cut into 3/4-inch pieces, on a parchment-lined plate and freeze for at least 2 hours to use as ice.
For the ginger syrup, combine 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water and the sliced ginger in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes, then remove from the heat and steep for 20 minutes. Strain and cool.
Blend the remaining watermelon with a pinch of salt on high for about 30 seconds, until completely liquefied.
Pour the watermelon juice through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher without pressing hard, which keeps the juice clear and less foamy. You should have about 4 cups.
Stir in 1/3 cup of the ginger syrup and the lime juice. Taste and add more syrup if you like it sweeter or spicier.
Add the mint leaves to the pitcher and bruise them gently against the side with a wooden spoon. Refrigerate for 1 hour, then remove the leaves.
For the rim, mix 2 tbsp sugar with the lime zest on a small plate. Run a lime wheel around the rim of each glass and dip it into the lime sugar.
Fill the glasses with the frozen watermelon cubes and a few regular ice cubes.
Fill each glass about two-thirds full with the watermelon mixture, then top with sparkling water and stir gently once.
Garnish with a lime wheel and a mint sprig and serve immediately while fizzy.
Test kitchen tips
- Pick a watermelon that feels heavy for its size and has a creamy yellow spot where it rested on the ground; it will be sweetest.
- The watermelon base keeps in the refrigerator for 2 days and the ginger syrup for 2 weeks. Add the sparkling water only when serving.
- For a party, pour the base into a large dispenser and let guests top their own glasses with sparkling water or ginger ale.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 120
- Protein
- 1g
- Carbs
- 31g
- Fat
- 0g
- Fiber
- 1g
- Sugar
- 27g
- Sodium
- 30mg
Nutrition values are estimates calculated per serving. See our disclaimer.
