"This is a journey of my life since I was all of 12 yrs when I started my hand in cooking to now with displays of my learning and creations of recipes from around the world. My inspiration and role model has always been my Mum who has always created dishes from around the world and excellently well. I do not believe I would ever match to her culinary skills. I remember the times she could cook and bake almost 4-5 dishes in one go without ever letting one go under cooked or burnt! I was born and raised in Dubai, UAE and recently moved to India for family reasons. Kitchenette just means that over the decades, my kitchen has changed from that of my mum's to my uncle and aunt's, to my home in UAE and now in India. Pala't'te, describes both global cuisines ('Palatte'-diverse flavours) and pleasing diverse 'Palates'."

Thursday, 30 May 2013

Summer Thirst Quenchers - Watermelon Mocktails, Shooters, Punch and Coolers - 4 recipes in one

Wow! So this was an incredibly exciting make. I had an hour to do it all including prep the ingredients. Why? Well let's just say I decided to start out on it when day light was almost running out!

I thought about posting each recipe one by one but since they are simple makes I decided to include it all in one post as it features one main ingredient across the board - Watermelon! A definite summer fruit!


I made all 4 recipes with 3/4 of a medium sized sweet and juicy watermelon.

Recipe # 1: Margherita Style Watermelon Mocktail

This one was relished by my toddler, especially cause of the sugar on the rim and the kind of glass from which she was allowed to drink :)





For this recipe,

You need:

  • 1 cup fresh watermelon, chopped and pureed
  • 1 tbsp sugar, granulated
  • 1/2 tsp grenadine (Optional- I didn't add this)
  • 1 cup ice cubes
  • 1 tsp grenadine syrup (optional -  I did not use it)



The Make:
Preparation time: 5 minutes | Mixing/Serving time: 10 minutes | Serves 2





1.Blend all the ingredients in 10-15 seconds.

2. Strain the ingredients and pour into sugar rimmed martini glasses.


Recipe # 2: Cucumber and Watermelon Coolers

If you do not fancy too sweet a drink, then this is the perfect summer cooler for you!




You need:


  • 1 cup of watermelon juice (pureed and strained)
  • 1 large cucumber, skinned, cut into chunks and juiced (reserve the skins for garnish if you like)
  • A few mint leaves
  • 2 tbsp of natural honey
  • 2 tbsp of lemon juice
  • 1 cup ice cubes


The Make:
Preparation time: 10 minutes | Serves 2

1. Mix the watermelon and cucumber juice.
2. Combine the honey and lemon juice in another bowl.
3. Blend the watermelon-cucumber juice with the honey-lemon and ice cubes. Taste if more honey is required.
4. Pour into two tall glasses and garnish with the mint leaves and cucumber shavings. Serve cold

For the cucumber shavings, you can use a toothpick to hold it into a design.

Recipe # 3: Ginger-Celery Watermelon Shooters

I promise you that this drink would give you a rejuvenated kick and stay hydrated to beat this low due to summer heat.




You need:

  • 2 cups of watermelon , diced
  • 1/2 cup of diced celery
  • 1/2 tsp of grated ginger
  • 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar
  • Ice cubes (optional)
  • Celery sticks- chopped to garnish


The Make:
Preparation Time: 5 mins | Serves 2

Pumped with Vitamin C, this is a perfect pick-you up drink in the summer.




1. Blend the ginger, vinegar and celery for 20-30 pulses.

2. Combine the watermelon and blend for another 20 seconds until smooth.

3. Chill and serve cold or over ice.

4. Garnish with celery sticks

Recipe # 4: Melony Mango Cooler Punch

Your kid(s) would love this one! Sweet and cool to beat the summer dehydration. Pulpy or can even be strained if you do not like pulp.



You need:


  • 1 cup watermelon chunks, pureed
  • 1 cup of mango juice
  • 1 cup of cranberry juice (optional)


The Make:
Preparation Time: 5 minutes | Serves 1

1. Combine the watermelon puree and mango juice. Strain if you want to avoid pulp.

2. Chill (in a bowl for larger quantities) for 20 minutes before you serve.

3. Put in a funny straw for kids.

Tip: For kids make sure you make more than you feel they would normally drink. It is kids' party success drink :)

This would make a perfect party drink for kids.




2 comments:

  1. I love Mocktails. Watermelon coolers are a regular in our house too. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for the message Nidhi. Mocktails esp. Watermelon coolers are such a welcome drink esp. during summers! Plus the lowest level of calories! :)

    ReplyDelete

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