My favorite summer cocktails - #4

Hot weather has a way of making watermelon more refreshing than beer, water, or soda. Add two more cooling ingredients - cucumber and mint - and you have the ultimate cool, refreshing cocktail.  Throw some carne adovada and tortillas on the grill, toss together a quick roasted corn, poblano and zucchini side and you've got yourself a stellar summer meal and drink.

Watermelon Mint Margarita

Ingredients

• 1/4 to 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
• 3 Tablespoons mint-infused simple syrup (see mint post)
• 1 Tablespoon Cointreau (or Triple Sec)
• 1/2 cup Tequila
• 2 generous cups of frozen watermelon, 1" chunks
• 1" peeled english cucumber, roughly chopped (if seedy, remove seeds)
• 15-20 fresh mint leaves
• 2 mint sprigs for garnish
• Sugar or kosher salt, optional

Preparation

Ahead of time cut up a watermelon into 1" chunks and make sure you get all the seeds out - even the white ones if you can.  Place in a single layer on a cookie sheet and freeze for several hours at least.  If you are preparing this ahead or making more than you will use, once frozen ply off the sheet and put into a ziploc bag and keep frozen until needed.  Add liquid ingredients to a blender then add the rest of the ingredients.  Blend in short bursts until watermelon is pureed.  If you like, use a slice of lime to wet the rims of the margarita glasses and dip rims into sugar or kosher salt (I prefer a light dip into salt).  Pour in frozen margarita mixture and garnish with a mint sprig.

Makes 2 drinks, depending on the size of your margarita glasses!