By Myles Robinson
(@standishcocktails on social media)
A Charred Watermelon Sour is a perfect summer drink for your barbecue party. It is fruity, fresh, and charring the watermelon caramelizes the sugars, giving it a toasty smokey sugar flavor.
Ingredients for the Watermelon:
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 small seedless watermelon, cut into 1/4-inch wedges
Directions for the Watermelon:
- Mix the chili powder, salt, sugar and cayenne in a wide-bottomed bowl or plate.
- Cut the watermelon in wedges. Slices should be on the thick side, otherwise you’ll risk the fruit cooking all the way through, and softening before the watermelon chars on the outside.
- Coat each side of the watermelon wedges with the spice mixture and place flat on a hot grill or cast-iron pan
- until charred, 1 to 2 minutes. Flip and char the other side of each wedge, 1 to 2 minutes more.
Ingredients for the Watermelon Sour Drink:
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 2 ounces of whiskey
- Pinch of salt
Directions for the Watermelon Sour Drink:
- In a large cocktail shaker pour in lemon juice, simple syrup, and whiskey.
- Add a few pieces of the charred watermelon and muddle in the shaker.
- Add a pinch of salt.
- Shake well.
- Strain into a large glass with ice.
- Garnish with a wedge of charred watermelon.
- Enjoy and drink responsibly.
