Another cocktail? So soon? Well, I love having people over and I love to barbecue so July 4th could be called my own personal nirvana so there is no planning for a holiday barbecue without serving the perfect cocktail, right?!! Combining great foods and refreshing drinks with friends and family makes for a perfect day. Considering the heat wave we’ve been having in Colorado, I’m all for celebrating without turning on the oven and this Watermelon Mojito sure helped to beat the heat.
Can I just tell you how good this cocktail is? So light, so fresh, so full of summer with the flavors of watermelon, mint and lime. I love Mojitos (pronounced mo-HEE-toe), one of Cuba’s oldest cocktails. Legend has it that the name comes from the African word mojo, which means to place a little spell. Bacardi traces the drink’s roots to 1586, when Francis Drake and his pirates tried to sack Havana for its gold. While the invasion was unsuccessful, Drake’s associate, Richard Drake, was said to have invented a mojito-like cocktail known as El Draque made with aguardiente (a crude forerunner of rum), sugar, lime and mint.
Supposedly consumed only for medicinal purposes (I need a new doctor!) the recipe was revised and gained in popularity as the original Bacardi Company was established in Cuba. I’ve written before about Bacardi and their history in Cuba; seems they are synonymous with more then just a Cuba Libre or a Bacardi Cocktail.
I’ve had some requests for ‘light’ cocktails and this time it’s been easy. Bacardi now offers a Mojito in their Classic Cocktails Light, a new line of low-calorie, ready-to-serve beverages made with natural flavors, real juice and pure cane sugar. As much as I love creating drinks, I also love the convenience of having something ready made available especially for my guests who are counting calories. Want a watermelon Mojito too? Just add a couple of spoonfuls of watermelon puree. Every glass gets the pretty garnish!
Here are some of my suggestions for a great holiday barbecue:
My children are grown so I’m not as inclined to make food with a red, white and blue theme as I am to make foods I love. I bring the colors of the day into play with white paper tablecloths and plates, blue napkins and well, that Watermelon Mojito is all the red I need; for me I always want the food to be the star!
Fresh Grilled Corn Salsa with Poblano Peppers and Honey – This is great with chips or in my case? A spoon. Love this stuff; so will your friends.
Grapefruit, Ginger and Honey Flank Steak – I didn’t have other citrus on hand one day so tried grapefruit and it was amazing.
Smoked Chicken Thighs – Easy and so good; for the 4th just do the thighs but come back in the fall and make this whole dish; we loved it! Don’t have a smoker: no worries, just season and cook on the grill. Boneless chicken thighs are now readily available and kids love them!
Cilantro Serrano Rice – This rice is simply fantastic. Don’t let the serrano peppers steer you clear; they add amazing flavor without overpowering heat. Seriously could sit and eat this entire bowl of rice all by myself.
French Potato Salad – As much as I love my old fashioned potato salad; I’m currently in love with the French version. All herbs and no mayo make a tasty dish and one that does not have to be kept cold. How perfect is that for a holiday barbecue?
Panzanella Salad – I think the best of the summer salads when tomatoes are fresh from the garden and can be the rightful star.
Green Beans and Mushrooms – I’m happy with grilled meats and salads but if you need a hot side dish; this is absolutely fabulous with fresh green beans.
Strawberry, Vanilla Yogurt and Limemade Popsicles – I did mention popsicles right? Mix and match your favorite flavors with some yogurt for a real treat.
Raspberry Boccone Dolce – The beauty of this dessert is belied by how easy it is; especially since it can be made a day ahead. It’s a huge crowd pleaser and really simple to make.
Strawberry Squares – Last but certainly not least; these are cool and crisp and can be made ahead and kept frozen til the 4th. Unless you eat them all.
I hope you all have a safe and fun filled holiday…Cheers!
Watermelon Mojito
15 min
15 mins
A new take on what has become a classic; the watermelon is a great addition to the flavors of a mojito.
Ingredients
- 4 large sprigs of fresh mint (about 10 leaves per cocktail)
- 2 cups of watermelon puree (put chunks of watermelon in your food processor and process until smooth)
- 1/4 cup Simple Syrup (See notes)
- Ice cubes
- 1 cup Bacardi white rum
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- Sparkling water or club soda, chilled
Directions
- Set out 4 glasses
- Put about 10 leaves of mint into each glass and top with 1 Tbsp of simple syrup.
- Use a muddler (you can use the handle of a wooden spoon) to crush the mint and syrup; the more you muddle, the fuller the flavors.
- Pour 1/2 cup of the watermelon puree into each glass and then fill the glass with ice. Add 2 ounces of rum to each glass along with 1 Tbsp of lime juice.
- Use a long-handled spoon to mix everything together.
- Top off each glass with a little sparkling water or soda and garnish with a slice of watermelon, a slice of lime and a sprig of mint.
Recipe Notes
I make a lot of simple syrup for cocktails and most recipes call for far more than you actually need so I've found that the microwave is my friend. Simply boil water in the microwave and then add the sugar; return to boil for another minute and stir; continue to boil only if you do not see any sugar crystals.
Doing it this way I'll do a quarter cup each of sugar and water and quit wasting the larger batches I make that just get in the way in the fridge. Just remember to do it first and stick in the fridge or freezer to chill.
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Hi,
Watermelon Mojito recipe.
I do not drink so can somthing else be used instead of the rum.
Thank You.
I would suggest you try some sparkling water or maybe even a soda like 7-up if you want to eliminate the rum.
WOW!! I never thought of using grapefruit to marinade a steak. LOVE IT!! And I would suck one of those Watermelon Mojito’s down gladly!! Happy 4th Barb!
It does a great job Jill…so great that I think overdoing it might end up with the meat falling apart more than one would like. Tasted so good!
So perfect and tempting, Barb. I love watermelon and enjoy it all summer long. I’d love one of your mojitos and a nice chat with you on a pretty summer evening in Colorado (or Italy;)
Me too, me too! Miss you.
How Beautiful it looks. You make making Mojitos look so easy!
It is easy! Hey…any chance you could join us next Tues for a wine tasting? Let me know; would love to see you.
Your watermelon mojito would be fantastic complimented with my watermelon sorbet! It sounds wonderful! Your round up of July 4th treats looks delicious! Hugs, Terra
This cocktail looks SO good Barbara! I love mojitos and adding watermelon sounds so refreshing. I also want every single dish you mention – each one looks better than the next! Happy 4th!
Thanks Katherine…I’m sure my friends and family would like it if I had every single one of them too; maybe over the summer but not all on one day. The meat and the rice and the strawberry squares; those are my efforts today; the rest is from friends who will each bring a dish. That’s how we role on a holiday, thankfully!
I can’t wait to make some watermelon mojitos!! And your raspberry boccone dolce looks divine. Thanks for sharing so many tempting recipes! Happy July 4th!
Happy 4th to you too Hannah. I’ve got the mojitos ready to go in the fridge but company not coming over for hours. Maybe I’ll just test the mix again? 🙂
I think that’s a grand idea! Wish I could help you taste test. 🙂
Oh, my gosh! I’m coming to your house next for the next 4th of July! Everything looks delish! The mojito is calling my name, but that raspberry boccone dolce reeled me in!!!
When I served it last year everyone was SO impressed and lamented I should not have spent so much time on dessert. Shh…don’t tell. I didn’t. 🙂
WOOT!! Ok, what time does the party start??? It’s almost eerie Barb – my holiday menu looks rather similar – but I didn’t have the Watermelon mojitos so guess what I am adding to the menu? They will be perfect since one of my guests can’t drink wine!!
Hope you have a fabulous 4th Barb!!!
I’ve just loving the watermelon cocktails…maybe a bit too much since I’ve done two this week? Hey…it’s a holiday right? Happy 4th Nancy!
Sad sad sad I am not in the US for the 4th – haven’t been to a 4th of July bbq in years and years! I’d love to come to one of yours. I know the food will be plentiful and fabulous (I mean, look at your list!) and the drinks refreshing and boozy! Happy 4th baby! I am loving the Watermelon Mojito!
You are always welcome. My dream day would be to go to a BBQ with all of that food that I didn’t have to make. And drinks of course…OK, I’ll make those. 😉
Great round up barb! But watermelon mojitos sounds super delicious. i’m off to make me a pitcher right away!
You’ll love them, such a cool and refreshing cocktail. I can’t choose between the mojito and martini so I try to be fair and drink both. 🙂
If anyone wants a perfect menu for the 4th of July, they come no better than this one! All the food looks magnificent!
I love a mojito and this one does you proud!
Aw thanks Maureen; there are absolutely some of my very favorites. Of course I could have added double the desserts; strawberry pie and French silk pie come to mind. I want them ALL! 🙂
WOW!! I don’t know where to start. I guess I’ll start with my favorite part of this post, the star… that mojito is just gorgeous! I absolutely love mojitos. They are probably my favorite drink closely followed by any type of margarita 🙂 This mojito is perfection with the addition of watermelon. Love! Secondly, each one of these dishes has my tongue waggin’. I especially like the sound of the French potato salad. I will be making that for a party we’re having next weekend! Thanks for all the great ideas. Happy 4th of July! And please, stay safe. Fires only 45 minutes from your home doesn’t sound nearly far enough away to make me not worry for you. Devastating. xoxo
It is so good and one will be in my hand momentarily! You and everyone worries but it’s really about the different in topography. That is the foothills south of me and higher elevation. We’re 40 highway miles away but a whole different world of suburban, not forested living. Not that I want to see any idiots burning fireworks, we are dry and roofs can certainly catch on fire. Thanks for caring and let’s hope the woman on the news who was lamenting no fireworks doesn’t break the law and burn down her own home!
Marvelous Mojito and may I add that should I ever be in the US for a 4th a July celebration, may it be at your home! What a menu, everything looks fabulous and I’m so glad you linked back to that Raspberry Baccone as I am definitely going to make this one day. Have a wonderful and safe and hopefully fire-free 4th of July celebration Barb.
Of course you would…though let’s hope it’s not this doggone sweltering hot business. More clouds tonight and 10 drops of rain but at least it’s cooled off a lot. Ahh…that cool breeze is Heaven.
I can always count on you for a refreshing cocktail! Love the combination of mint and watermelon.
I could make a cocktail a day in the summer there are so many things I want to dry. But I might get a reputation I don’t covet. I love a cocktail but I’m not a boozer. This one is fabulous I won’t lie.
I’m fond of Mojitos ! This one looks so yummy. My daughter likes to make cocktails, I’m going to share this recipe with her !
Enjoy July 4th
regards
Namuelle
It is so good…and really almost any fruit can be used…I’ll do strawberry for sure and I’m thinking I might try a blueberry mojito too. I have tons of mint…I must make mojitos!
Oh my, Barb, what a great menu lineup. Everything looks just fantastic. And I’m with you on the French potato salad – I’m loving that style right now. So delicious!
Not only good and doesn’t have to be refrigerated but so easy. My old favorite had bacon and hard boiled eggs and dressing and potatoes…it was a whole morning affair. This one with little potatoes might be 25 minutes including cook time and it’s done. Gotta love that huh?
What a beautiful drink! It must be 5 o’clock somewhere…right? It’s hard to read your posts at 10 in the morning!!
Any chance you saw the weekend edition of the Wall Street Journal? There is a section that highlights cocktails that I thought you’d enjoy. Hope you are holding up ok in the heat.
I did not see that Holly but you must know that now I really want to? Was that online or a print edition? I’m holding up…how about you? I’m also ready for the forecasted rain. Just had another teaser doggone it. When you can smell the rain and it doesn’t come? So not fair!!
I’ll drop the print version by your front door today or sometime this weekend. It’s written for you!
Thanks Holly…very much appreciated!
You’ve out done yourself with this mojito Barb. Wow, delicious! Your bbq favs are inspired too. Have a happy 4th!
Want to know just how easy this is to drink? Too easy; it really is like watermelon in a glass with a kick!