Watermelon Basil Frozen Cocktail

If you're looking for the perfect cocktail for summer, this is it! Fresh, juicy watermelon is the star of the cocktail, providing a natural sweetness and vibrant pink color. Fresh basil leaves add a unique herbal note that complements the watermelon’s sweetness. Crushed ice gives the cocktail its frozen, slushy texture.

Plus, who doesn't love a nice and easy blender cocktail?!

🍉Ingredients

• white rum - White rum typically has a clean, light, and somewhat sweet flavor. The taste can vary slightly depending on the brand you use.
• Grand Marnier - Grand Marnier is an orange-flavored cognac (brandy) liqueur. You can substitute with triple sec if you are looking for a cheaper option.
• lime juice - Freshly squeezed.
• simple syrup - A mixture of equal parts water and sugar heated together until the sugar is dissolved.
• fresh basil leaves - Regular sweet basil. I added just enough so that you can taste the basil but it's not overpowering. You can start with a few large leaves and add more to taste.
• frozen watermelon chunks - Can either freeze your own cubed watermelon or buy pre-frozen chunks.

*Check recipe card for ingredient amounts.

This recipe features white rum. You can try out coconut-flavored white rum which has a subtly sweet flavor and hints of coconut and vanilla. Aged white rum has additional tropical fruit notes that vary. This watermelon basil cocktail will be a tropical treat for rum connoisseurs.

Likewise, Grand Marnier offers a complex orange and toffee flavor with hints of oak and vanilla.

While lime juice adds some citrus bite, basil complements the drink with a slight sweetness and earthiness.

You can sweeten the drink to your taste with simple syrup, which is essentially liquid sugar, or leave it out entirely if you prefer. You can follow my tutorial for how to make simple syrup.

🍹How to Make it

Step 1. Add to blender. Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender in the order listed.

Step 2. Blend. Blend until smooth.

Step 3. Serve. Pour into a glass and serve with a lime wedge, mini watermelon triangle or basil sprig garnish!

✅Joss' Tips

• Freeze your own watermelon cubes. If you have a fresh watermelon in the fridge, slice the watermelon into cubes, lay them on a sheet tray and throw them in the freezer. Frozen watermelon makes your drink extra cold and blendable and creates a slushy-like texture that's perfect for hot, humid days.
• Choose vibrant, red cubes. If you freeze your own watermelon, you can pick and choose the best looking pieces. When you buy a bag from the grocery store, sometimes you're left with dull, low-flavor chunks. Try to use the most red-colored watermelon chunks so that your drink has a nice, vibrant color to it and more flavor.
• Pick the sweetest pieces. The best tasting pieces of the watermelon are in the center. This is where you will find the sweetest, juiciest flavor.
• If it's too thick, add water. Frozen watermelon blends very easily because it's so full of water. However, if you are finding it too thick for whatever reason, add a splash of water to the blender.

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