Woof. The dogs days of summer have arrived. I don't know about you all but it's been hot as a sizzling skillet around here, especially when you're a baker who works from your home without AC. We have plenty of fans, but at a certain point in the afternoon they aren't good for much other than blowing hot air. It got a little too steamy up in this kitchen last week so instead of firing up the oven, I schemed up a double threat recipe to beat the heat: Watermelon Palomas and Watermelon Paloma Popsicles.
The heat is on and all I can think about is how much I want to be outside soaking up the rays, crunching on some salty tortilla chips with spicy salsa and washing it all down with a cadillac sized Margarita. But you what know gets me even hotter than a frosty Margie? A frosty Paloma. Think Margarita but with grapefruit as the driving flavor force instead of lime. In the heat of the moment last summer, I took the thirst quenching drink to a whole new level of chill when I came up with a recipe for Watermelon Palomas. With a refreshing blend of pureed watermelon juice, bittersweet grapefruit juice and tart lime juice, the swelter and thirst of the dog days were washed away.
As soon as this summer started to sizzle, I blended up my thirst aid and upped the cool factor by freezing the Watermelon Palomas into Watermelon Paloma Popsicles. These pops have three layers of juicy, fruity goodness: a bittersweet grapefruit layer is sandwiched between the salty lime tip and the bright and fresh watermelon base layer. It takes more time to layer it up, but that gives you more time to chill out and enjoy a Watermelon Paloma while you wait for the deep freeze.
Since all that juicing and squeezing can make you work up a sweat, I like to make big batches of both Watermelon Palomas and Watermelon Paloma Popsicles at once. I make the Watermelon Palomas by the pitcher and the Watermelon Paloma Popsicles are frozen in 10 packs. Chances are, if you come by my house this summer you'll immediately be met with the cooling effects of my deep cooler in a glass or my air conditioner on a stick.
While the long, hot days can make it feel like an endless summer, winter is just around the corner, and you're gonna miss the sunshine when it's gone. So instead of whining about the heat, beat it and chill out with the most refreshing boozy coolers imaginable, Watermelon Palomas and Watermelon Paloma Popsicles.
📖 Recipe
Watermelon Palomas
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6
Description
A refreshing twist on the classic Mexican cocktail. Think a salted margarita but add freshly pureed watermelon juice, freshly squeezed grapefruit juice and a float of Squirt for sparkle.
Ingredients
- small watermelon - about half (4 cups chopped)
- grapefruits - 2-3
- limes - 4
- tequila blanco - 2 cups
- grapefruit soda - 1 bottle or can
- coarse salt - to garnish
- + lime (grapefruit and watermelon slices - for garnish)
Instructions
- Using a blender or food processor, blend the heck out of half of a small watermelon and strain. You want about about 2 cups watermelon juice.
- Juice the grapefruits and strain. You should have about 1 cup.
- Juice 3 limes and strain. Should be about ½ cup.
- Blend the three juices and tequila blanco together, chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Moisten the rims of the glasses with the a lime wedge. Spread coarse salt on a small plate, gently dip and swirl the lime kissed glasses in the salt to crust the rims.
- Fill the glasses ¾ full with ice then fill about ¾ of the glass with juice and tequila mixture. Top off each cocktail with a sparkling splash of grapefruit soda. Stir to combine and sip away the summer heat.
Notes
Serves 6-8 depending on the glass size and how big of a drinker you are.
I like to make a batch of Watermelon Paloma Popsicles when I make the Watermelon Palomas since I am already buried in a mess anyhow. The popsicles are an easy and satisfying way to cool down on a hot summer afternoon.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
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