It’s been hard not to taunt friends in Texas as they’ve endured another scorching summer (though nothing like last year) as we’ve basked in the delightful (relative) coolness of summertime in the Puget Sound Lowlands.
Until this week, a hot day was something pushing the mercury into the high 70’s. The even more rare day in the low 80’s has sent the locals into a tizzy, running for the beaches and buying cubes of cheap adult beverages meant to be consumed in high volume.
This week has brought us temperatures pushing into the high 90’s, prompting an ‘Excessive Heat Warning’ from the NWS (no shit – last night’s weather map proves it) and nearly ending life as we know it in our little enclave here on the left coast.
Even our friends in Montana have endured enough high temperatures this summer to be grousing consistently about the need for summer and the tourist season to be over and done with.
Friend Libby is actually back in Bozeman this week visiting friends and helping to cater a big event for some high rollers at Big Sky. She had a question yesterday about a recipe suggestion I’d made and we laughed at her scrambling to find decent fresh grapefruit right now (2 bushels in fact) to make gallons of the Watermelon / Grapefruit Agua Fresca below.
We got hooked on Agua Frescas during our Texas sojourn over the past few years. The fresh, sweet watermelons of summer have never tasted better than in these drinks (though we’ve collected a passel of different agua fresca recipes over the years based on all sorts of ingredients…).
The Watermelon / Grapefruit is probably our all time team favorite and is suitable for all ages at your next summer gathering (though the adults will enjoy it even more with a splash of vodka or your fav blanco tequila).
The Watermelon / Ginger is my personal all time top choice, though not everyone jives with the taste of fresh ginger and watermelon. Try it, you’ll like it.
Watermelon / Grapefruit Agua Fresca
One 10-lb seedless watermelon, cut into 1 inch pieces (we shoot for 18 cups)
1 1/2 cups fresh ruby red grapefruit juice
Puree the watermelon until smooth; you’ll need to work in batches of course. Pour the pureed watermelon into a large bowl and let stand for 15 minutes or so; skim any remaining foam and discard.
Place a cheesecloth-lined fine mesh sieve over a large pitcher and strain the watermelon puree into the pitcher; extract as much juice as possible from the solids. You should have between 7 and 8 cups; stir in your fresh grapefruit juice.
Pour over ice in a tall glass and enjoy; makes an excellent summer adult beverage with a splash of vodka, your fav blanco tequila or even rum.
Watermelon / Ginger Agua Fresca
One 8-lb seedless watermelon, cut into 1 inch pieces (we shoot for 12 cups)
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup (or more) sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh ginger juice
2 cups cold water
Puree the watermelon until smooth; you’ll need to work in batches of course. Pour the pureed watermelon into a large bowl and let stand for 15 minutes or so; skim any remaining foam and discard.
Place a cheesecloth-lined fine mesh sieve over a large pitcher and strain the watermelon puree into the pitcher; extract as much juice as possible from the solids. You should have between 5 and 6 cups
Stir in the lime juice, 2 cups cold water, the sugar and the fresh ginger juice (grate 3 ounces or so fresh ginger and either wrap in cheesecloth and squeeze or press through a fine meshed sieve.)
Better if very well chilled (3 hours or so).
Pour over ice in a tall glass and enjoy; makes an excellent summer adult beverage with a splash of vodka, your fav blanco tequila or gin.
Enjoy.
