The method
How to make it
Blend two cups of cold watermelon until smooth, then push it through a fine strainer. What comes out is the freshest juice you will ever taste and it takes ninety seconds.
Slap the mint against your palm and drop it in the shaker with the vodka, lime juice and simple syrup.
Add the watermelon juice, fill with ice, and shake for a quick 10 seconds. This one bruises easily, so short and cold beats long and hard.
Strain into a tall glass packed with fresh ice.
Top with a couple inches of club soda and give it one gentle lift with a spoon.
Garnish with a watermelon spear and a mint crown.
The serve
How to present it
Tall glass, lots of ice, a watermelon spear standing at attention. This is a porch pounder, so make them two at a time and keep the pitcher of strained juice in the fridge. It drinks pink and easy, and it disappears fast in the sun.
Make it yours
Swaps & variations
Leave the vodka out entirely and it loses nothing as a mocktail. Tequila instead of vodka pushes it toward a watermelon margarita, and a pinch of kosher salt on top makes the fruit taste twice as loud. If your melon is a dud, a half ounce more simple syrup rescues it.
Keep pouring
