Photo 1 of 3
by Jennifer Causey
Photo 2 of 3
by piccantedolce
Photo 3 of 3
by Jennifer Causey
A&M's Testing Notes:
Expand Collapsepiccantedolce's Notes:
3/4 cups sugar Ask a question about this ingredient
2 cups water Ask a question about this ingredient
4 sprigs rosemary Ask a question about this ingredient
1 cup lemon juice - fresh squeezed Ask a question about this ingredient
7 cups watermelon - cut into a 1" dice - approx half a medium watermelon Ask a question about this ingredient
8 ounces gin Ask a question about this ingredient
1 lemon - thinly sliced Ask a question about this ingredient
Place sugar and 1 cup of water in a small saucepan, add rosemary sprigs. Cook over medium heat stirring until the sugar dissolves. Once dissolved remove from heat, cover saucepan and let sit for at least an hour to infuse.
Ask a question about this stepIn a blender combine the lemon juice with cubed watermelon. Add the watermelon in batches, blending in between each addition.
Ask a question about this stepAdd in the rosemary simple syrup 1/4 cup at a time until the mixture is at your desired sweetness. I use about a cup.
Ask a question about this stepPour the mixture into a large pitcher and add 1 cup of cold water, the gin and fill with the watermelon mixture. Stir to combine. Serve in jars garnished with a lemon slice and half of a rosemary sprig.
Ask a question about this stepJust made this tonight and it is AMAZING. I put the 8 oz in the pitcher and am letting people add more gin as their tast suits. Do you think this could be done with a fruit other than watermelon? (my boyfriend is allergic to melons--his loss).
This drink was amazing. I am not sure if this was teh intention but you could barely taste the gin. I am not trying to make the drink taste like I am taking shots but really, 4 oz is barely anything. Next time I am going to boost it a bit. Used Citadelle gin.
The recipe calls for 8 oz of gin - not 4 oz.
I have an enormous jug of this again in my refrigerator. This time I cranked up the rosemary, doubled or tripled it, and minced it so the rosemary simple syrup was more potent and assertive. Was more judicious with sweetening too, and got it just right. It has been sustaining me nicely through the rigors of Irene.
I agree that Hendricks would have been perfect in this cocktail, though I wish my watermelon were more in season and perhaps sweeter? Tasty enough for one drink and different than my usual G&T
I agree that Hendricks would have been perfect in this cocktail, though I wish my watermelon were more in season and perhaps sweeter? Tasty enough for one drink and different than my usual G&T
Looks fantastic! Perfect summer drink, as is anything with gin!
Try my Cactus Margarita:
12 glugs of tequila
8 glugs of ruby red grapefruit juice
8 shakes of hot sauce
Try my cactus margarita: 12 glugs of tequila; 8 glugs of ruby red grapefruit juice; and 8 shakes of hot sauce,
Can this drink be made a day ahead of the party and just store in the fridge till ready to be served, with the lemon and rosemary?
Hi Erik,
I made this last week in a big pitcher, and it stored nicely. I did take the rosemary out of the infused syrup after we drank our fill on Day 1. I would recommend decorating with rosemary sprigs and lemon slices the day of the party if you are making the boozy lemonade in advance. piccantecdolce may have some other advice, though. But it worked for us and there did not seem to be any downgrade in the taste.
It's surprisingly lived in my fridge for a couple days and been super yummy.
This was outstanding!! Thanks for the recipe. I suggest that anyone who has an aversion to gin to try out Hendrick's gin (which fits beautifully in this recipe). It has a more floral/herbal note than juniper/pine.
I'm so going to seek out Hendrick's Gin, I'm intrigued now!
Thanks Carrie! I can't stomach the pine flavor. Have you tried it with any other alcohol?
i made this for our summer BBQ last weekend and it was a big hit! it's a keeper, thank you!
you're welcome!
I just made this for my son and his company. We are swooning. It's perfect for the hot day! And so refreshing. Thanks for a fantastic recipe!
You are very welcome. Thanks for making it!
glad you liked it. Depending on the people you are serving, I think amping up the rosemary is a great idea!
Made this wonderful, unusual combination for a dinner party this weekend and everyone loved it -- thank you! I will definitely be making this again!
I'm so happy it was a crowd pleaser in your house too!
This was amazing. The rosemary and gin went great together, and I adored the lemon against the sugar! Thank you.
Your welcome!
Made this today and it is marvelous. Has been a cool summer here in Europe but this helps me pretend it is hot and sunny!
I'm so happy you liked it!
Gin recommendation?
We keep Bombay around, but if I'm honest I'm not really a gin drinker, something about it in this cocktail just felt right when I was developing it.
I used Hendrick's (and I added a cucumber to the watermelon puree). It's a different kind of gin, and one you might like if you don't want a heavy juniper kick.
Making this tonight for a boat cruise with friends!
That sounds like the perfect way to enjoy it!
Thanks piccantedolce. This looked so good and I realized with a start as I was driving home last night that i had all the ingredients in house. A gorgeous, special, highly delicious and refreshing concoction.
Isn't that the best when you realize you have everything you need to make something? I love it! Hope you enjoyed the drink.
Congrats! Looks like I need to go find a watermelon.
Congratulations piccantedolce, well done, beautiful and refreshing.
Congrats!! So fun!
The rosemary and gin are a brilliant combination. And I love that you're generous with the lemon. What a beautiful creation.
Thanks so much!
Congratulations! What a great addition your Poolside Cocktail will be to Food52's Book2. So refreshing, I do like gin, have a recipe "almost" similar using rhubarb,lemon and rosemary w/o any gin or vodka, though. Am looking forward to trying this :)
oooo I love rhubarb, I may have to try your concotion!
Congratulations!! Love your addition of rosemary to your syrup. Can't wait to make this .
SurvivingMyKitchen - I'm not a huge gin drinker but I decided to go for it in this drink because I thought it would be good with the rosemary and I LOVE it. That being said vodka does work, but I'd challenge you to try the gin.
Thanks everyone for the positive response and for voting!
Thanks!
Yeah! Congrats to you!
Thanks!!
Congratulations! Watermelon is a great direction for a poolside cocktail.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Congratulations!
Thanks!
Congratulations! Summer in a jar, this is!
It is absolutely summer in jar!
It is 105 here in Wichita, and more heat in the forecast for the rest of the week. Just READING this recipe made me feel better! This lovely thing is on the agenda for the weekend...
Congratulations! I look forward to making this cocktail over the weekend. Love seeing the jar!
I pickle watermelon and am going to use that to add a little briney tartness to the whole thing!
Made something similar over the weekend (watermelon, lime juice, basil, gin) and am giving you a tip of the hat for the idea of using gin. Such a great idea - a delicious pairing! Thanks for sharing!
Made a batch last night to help beat back the northern Virginia heat. This will be a go-to cocktail for summer BBQs from now on.
I dig that you have gin as the base liquor. Most people are scared of the thought of something they don't know [i.e. gin]. While vodka and rum reign as the traditional "fun drink" liquor, this gin cocktail changes the landscape as a fruit forward recipe. Very enjoyable for all palates, and something very different. Cheers.
Thanks dave!
winner!!!...
This drink sounds fantastic - i am going to blindly and bravely make it our signature drink at our summer party next week! Thanks for such a lovely idea, both with the drink and the serving in jars! Super Summer!
Congratulations on being a finalist. The drink sounds so amazingly refreshing and delicious. Have to try it when away from work!
I have fresh rosemary in my garden and a forlorn watermelon on my kitchen counter. I will definitely be making this for the weekend. How do you think it would be with vodka? I have a strong aversion to gin...
I probably amy replying too late and am a bit special and posted a reply to the whole thread instead of you, sorry! But here are my thoughts on gin:
'm not a huge gin drinker but I decided to go for it in this drink because I thought it would be good with the rosemary and I LOVE it. That being said vodka does work, but I'd challenge you to try the gin.
Thanks everyone!
James - I keep a pitcher of it without the gin in our fridge at all times in the summer. Just sub a bit more water for the gin. It's super refreshing!
Congrats, piccantedolce! I can't imagine a more perfect hot summer drink.
Wow, this looks and sounds stunning. I love that the watermelon isn't strained. Congrats on being a finalist!
Make it virgin and I'm all in
Well done - love it!
Congratulations on being chosen as a finalist. The drink sounds refreshing and delicious.
MMMM! Sounds and looks so good, with or without the gin!
love that you are servin' them up in Ball jars! A necessity in the kitchen!
Can the mixture be made a day ahead? How well does it fare overnight in the fridge?
Andrew is an artisan chocolatier and the owner of Garrison Confections Gourmet Chocolate Shop.
photo 1 of 11
What you'll need: watermelon, gin, rosemary, sugar and lemon.
photo 2 of 11
First step: make the rosemary-infused simple syrup.
photo 3 of 11
The rosemary was lovely and tender -- straight from Amanda's windowbox!
photo 4 of 11
You also need lots of fresh-squeezed lemon juice.
photo 5 of 11
And a ripe, juicy watermelon. Ours was perfect.
photo 6 of 11
Cutting the melon into cubes makes it easier to whiz up in the blender.
photo 7 of 11
Which we did next, with the lemon juice.
photo 8 of 11
We then added some of the cooled rosemary syrup to taste.
photo 9 of 11
Into a pitcher -- or in our case, a large Mason jar.
photo 10 of 11
After we added the gin and a little water, we gave it a good stir.
photo 11 of 11
Serve it over plenty of ice!
this is seriously the best homemade cocktail i've made yet! it's sooooooo delicious! we've tried with vodka and bourbon, and oh my, nothing but delicious! the rosemary simple syrup is genius too! gonna try to concoct a few other drinks w/it come spring!