When I was a kid, I never really understood why my parents and the other adults in my life loved summer so much. I mean, I loved summer because there was no school (clearly the best thing ever!) But why did they like it, when they still had to go to work? And now that I’m an adult, I think I know. Alcohol.

Because at no other time during the year would it be appropriate to be drinking a fruity, ice-y, tropical, or creamy alcoholic concoction on a random Tuesday night! You don’t even need the “it’s 5 o’clock somewhere” excuse. You can just say “it’s 1000 degrees today” and you’re good to go 😉

So, to help you with a further selection of said ice-y, tropical, fruity, and creamy drinks, some blogging friends and I are bringing you our Summer Sips Blog Hop! And if you don’t drink, no worries. There are some non-alcoholic (but still delicious) selections as well!

Today I’m sharing one of my absolute favorite drinks, a watermelon mojito. This cocktail is a riff on one I had at a restaurant. I loved it so much I came home and tried to re-create it. It is summer in a glass. It’s got watermelon, the most summery of summer fruits. Tons of fresh mint (that’s the mojito part). And a lot of fresh lime juice to brighten it up. It’s perfectly delicious on a hot summer night, something I’ve been experiencing lately as we’re in the middle of more than a week of 100 degree days. In fact, that gives me an excuse to make these again tonight, right?

And just to make it extra yummy, I used my favorite glasses! These monogrammed cocktail glasses from Anthropologie are my favorite! Classic and chic, but not expensive. And they make the best gift, too!

It’s confession time though, and for someone who loves summer, it’s surprising. I hate watermelon. I mean, I really don’t like it. Don’t ever eat it. Even in summer. But I do drink it. I can’t explain it, but I absolutely love a watermelon cocktail! I hate cucumbers, too, but those are also good in cocktails (Apparently, I’ll eat anything when combined with alcohol.)

Watermelon Mojito Cocktail Recipe

Makes 5-6 cocktails

roughly 10 sprigs of fresh mint, 30-40 leaves
6 large slices of watermelon
9 ounces of rum
1/2 cup simple syrup*
juice of 3 limes
watermelon spears and sprigs of mint for garnishing

Chop the watermelon into large chunks, and remove any large seeds and the rind. Puree the fruit in a food processor until smooth. Use a mortar and pestle to mash your mint leaves. Combine the mashed mint, rum, simple syrup, 2 cups of the pureed watermelon, and the lime juice and stir to combine. Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour mojito mixture over. Garnish with a sprig of mint and a spear of watermelon in each glass. Enjoy!

*To make simple syrup, put equal parts sugar and water into a small saucepan and boil until the sugar dissolves (I usually do one cup of each so that I have some leftover). Cool before using. Simple syrup stays fresh in the refrigerator for one month and it’s great for cocktails, iced tea, smoothies, and other summer drinks.

I hope you’ll try my watermelon mojito – and let me know what you think! And be sure to visit my friends and get some more ideas for fun cocktails and summer drinks below!