Spicy Watermelon Agua Fresca

I don’t know about you, but in the summertime I find myself reaching more and more for a glass of wine …or a margarita …or a mojito. There is something about the late sunsets that have me celebrating every day of the week with a drink! I don’t need the alcohol; I just need something cool to sip at the end of the day.

So, last week I started experimenting with non-alcoholic cocktail recipes. This one was the winner. And oh boy, was it ever. Spicy, cool, minty, lime.

Spicy Watermelon Agua Fresca (makes about four glasses)

• 2 cups cold water
• 2 cups seedless watermelon (rind removed), chopped
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• Juice of 1/2 lime (about 1 tablespoon)
• 1/4 cup mint leaves
• 1/2 jalapeño, roughly chopped
• Ice cubes or crushed ice (optional)

Combine all of the ingredients in a blender (or a bowl with a handheld immersion blender) and puree until smooth. Either pour the mixture through a strainer into a pitcher or into a pitcher that has a strainer at the spout. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes. Stir before serving over ice. Garnish with a lime wedge or mint leaves. Or both. It’s summer; go crazy.