Tequila Soaked Fruit Food

TEQUILA-SOAKED WATERMELON WEDGES

Steps:

• Arrange watermelon in a single layer in two 9-by-13-inch baking dishes. Bring sugar, water, tequila, and Triple Sec to a boil in a small saucepan. Cook, stirring, until sugar dissolves, about 1 minute. Let cool slightly. Pour syrup over watermelon wedges, and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes.
• Remove watermelon from syrup, and arrange on a platter. Squeeze limes over melon, and season with salt.

TEQUILA-SOAKED FRUIT

Steps:

• Cut watermelon and mango into 1-inch cubes. Slice off rind and pith from oranges; cut in half lengthwise, place flat sides down, and cut into semicircles. Place all fruit in a large dish and sprinkle with tequila. Set aside for up to an hour. Grate lime zest over fruit. Skewer and serve.

BOOZY MELON THREE WAYS

Steps:

• Tequila-Soaked Watermelon: Place sugar, tequila, orange liqueur, and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Let cool slightly. Arrange watermelon in a single layer in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Pour syrup over fruit. Cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours and up to 1 day. Serve with mint and a drizzle of syrup; sprinkle with flaky salt and squeeze with lime juice.
• Gin-Soaked Honeydew: Place sugar, gin, orange liqueur, and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Let cool slightly. Arrange honeydew in a single layer in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Pour syrup over fruit. Cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours and up to 1 day. Serve with tarragon and a drizzle of syrup; sprinkle with flaky salt and squeeze with lime juice.
• Vodka-Soaked Cantaloupe: Place sugar, vodka, orange liqueur, and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Let cool slightly. Arrange cantaloupe in a single layer in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Pour syrup over fruit. Cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours and up to 1 day. Serve with basil and a drizzle of syrup; sprinkle with flaky salt and squeeze with lime juice.

DRUNKEN ANGEL FOOD CAKE WITH TEQUILA AND LIME

Steps:

• To make the syrup, combine all of the ingredients except the tequila in a saucepot and bring to a boil, stirring constantly until the sugar has melted. Remove syrup from heat, add the tequila, and cool to room temperature.
• For the icing, place the sugar, salt, and lime zest in a bowl. Add the liquids a little at a time until the mixture is just loose enough to pour. Be careful not to add too much liquid, but if you do, add more sugar as needed.
• To finish, hold the cake upside down and cut a little well around the bottom of the cake. Pour half of the syrup evenly over the cake. Turn the cake over, and using a pastry brush, paint the cake with the remaining syrup.
• Drizzle the icing over the cake. Sprinkle with candied lime zest. Slice and serve with whipped cream.

TIPSY FRUIT

Steps:

• Mix watermelon, pineapple, and strawberries in a serving bowl.
• Whisk tequila, agave nectar, lime zest, and lime juice together in a bowl; pour dressing over fruit. Toss to coat.