Salty Watermelon Margarita Salad Food

WATERMELON MARGARITA WITH ESPELETTE SALT

Steps:

• For the espelette salt garnish: To prepare the glasses, combine the salt, piment d'espelette and sugar in a shallow dish. Wet the edges of 4 rocks glasses with a lime wedge, then dip into the mixture. Fill the glasses with ice.
• For the margarita: Combine the watermelon juice, tequila, lime juice and triple sec in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously, strain into the rimmed rocks glasses, garnish with lime wedges and serve immediately.

MARGARITA MELON SALAD

Steps:

• Many markets sell halved melons and wedges of watermelon, making it easy to prepare this salad closer to desired amounts.
• Combine lime juice, tequila, liqueur, and sugar in a bowl. Add melons and toss to coat with tequila and lime. Serve in shallow bowls.

FROZEN WATERMELON MARGARITA WITH TARRAGON-SALT RIM

Steps:

• For the watermelon juice: Chop a watermelon into chunks, cutting off the rind and removing seeds. Whirl in a blender until pureed. A 5-pound melon should yield about 1 quart of juice.
• For the tarragon salt: Muddle together dried tarragon leaves and salt. Use a mortar and pestle if you have one, rather than a food processor; the mixture comes together better.
• For the simple syrup: In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir together 1 cup water and 1 1/2 cups sugar until dissolved. Cook two minutes, remove from heat and cool. You'll have a lot left over; a bar staple, it will keep for at least a month in the refrigerator.
• Place the watermelon juice, tequila, orange liqueur and 2 tablespoons simple syrup into a blender. Squeeze the lime over the top of it, saving the rind to run over the edge of the glasses. Add the ice and blend until the liquid is slushy smooth.
• Rub the rim of a medium glass with the lime rind, then dip it in the tarragon salt. Pour the margarita. Garnish with a lime, melon ball or something unique, like a lychee nut.
• To make this drink virgin: Replace the tequila and orange liqueur with pineapple juice.

TRI-MELON MARGARITA SALAD

Steps:

• Use a melon baller, scoop all three melons into balls. All together you need about 10 cups. I like to use equal portions, but if you like pink better than green -- use more watermelon -- you get the idea.
• In a large glass bowl, mix together lime juice, lime zest, tequila, salt, and simple syrup. Add melon balls and mint. Toss until well coated.
• Serve!