Watermelon Sugar Cocktail Food

WATERMELON SUGAR

Steps:

• On a small plate, mix salt, sugar and cayenne with a fork. Lightly wet rim of a medium cocktail glass with water or lime juice, and dip glass on plate, coating rim, then tap to shake off excess.
• In a cocktail shaker, crush watermelon with a muddler or long-handled spoon. Half fill the shaker with ice and vigorously shake the watermelon, syrup, lime juice, mezcal and tequila. Strain into glass and serve.

WATERMELON COSMOPOLITANS

Steps:

• Place the watermelon in a food mill fitted with the largest disc set over a medium bowl and process. The food mill will separate the seeds and the pulp from the juice; you should have about two cups of juice. Pour into a pitcher and discard the seeds and pulp. Stir in the vodka, Cointreau, and lime juice.
• Fill a cocktail shaker half-full with ice, pour in the cocktail mixture, and shake it for a full 30 seconds. Pour into chilled martini glasses and garnish each glass with a sprig of mint. Serve ice cold.

WATERMELON MARGARITA

Steps:

• Prepare the salted rim, if using: In a small shallow bowl or plate, combine the sea salt and Tajín. Set aside.
• In a shaker filled with ice, combine the watermelon juice, tequila, Cointreau (if using), lime juice and jalapeño (if using). Shake to combine. (Note: The watermelon flavor shines brighter without the Cointreau, but the liqueur takes the drink into more traditional margarita territory. If you'd like to compare, first try the mixture without, the liqueur, then add 1 ounce of it per serving.)
• Using one of the squeezed lime halves, run it along the rim of two rocks glasses, then dip the rims into the salt mixture. Fill the glasses with ice, then strain the margaritas into the glasses and enjoy immediately.