We're kicking off our new monthly drink column with Maui's artisanal cocktail masters, Garnish Craft Cocktail Catering. These two simple and refreshing cocktail recipes celebrate the quintessential summertime fruit, watermelon. Not only are they delicious, they happen to be the prettiest shade of pink!

Summer School

Ingredients

  • 3 basil leaves (reserve one leaf for garnish)
  • 1/2 oz fresh pressed lime juice
  • 2 oz fresh pressed watermelon juice
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup 
  • 1 1/2 oz vodka or gin
  1. gently muddle two basil leaves in the bottom of cocktail shaker
  2. add fresh ingredients and ice to shaker, shake 
  3. pour into cocktail glass and garnish with a fresh basil leaf

Salted Melon

Ingredients

  • 1/2 oz fresh pressed lime
  • 1/2 oz fresh pressed cantaloupe juice
  • 1/2 oz fresh pressed watermelon
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • 1 1/2 oz reposado tequila
  1. wet rim of glass with a lime wedge. and roll the rim of your glass in kosher salt
  2. add fresh ingredients and ice to shaker, shake 
  3. pour into salt rimmed glass
  4. garnish with a skewer of fresh melon chunks

Steph Smith of Garnish tells us, "this is a great drink to batch in a pitcher for your guests to be able to serve themselves.  Add 1/2 of water to this recipe (per drink) if you won't be shaking each one individually.  Freeze chunks of watermelon and add to your batch as fruit ice cubes that won't melt and dilute your cocktails!"