A Cocktail Renaissance

Hosted by

Danny Meyer is the owner Union Square Hospitality Group, which owns of numerous restaurants around New York City including Gramercy Tavern, Eleven Madison Park and Union Square Care.  His latest book is Mix Shake Stir.

Watermelon Mojito

Choose the juiciest watermelon you can find for this summer-in-a-glass cocktail.  To dress it up, garnish the glass with a melon wedge briefly seared on a hot grill.

Fill a double rocks glass with ice.  Muddle the watermelon and mint leaves in a cocktail shaker.  Add ice and the lime juice, simple syrup, and rum and shake vigorously.  Strain into the glass and top with soda water.  Garnish with the mint sprigs and serve.

Ice
Four 1-inch cubes fresh watermelon
6 fresh mint leaves, plus mint sprigs for garnish.
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
2 1/2 oz white rum
Soda water to taste

Simple Syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup water

In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the sugar and water and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.  Remove from the heat and let cool.  Pour into a glass jar, cover, and refrigerate until needed.  Makes about 1 1/2 cups.