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Watermelon Cooler

Sweet watermelon balances the heat of a Scotch bonnet chile pepper in this summery tequila-based drink. Try it with smoky foods like Thai grilled chicken.
From: Saveur SERVES 4-6

1 8-lb. watermelon, flesh cut into 1" cubes
¼ cup sugar
1 Scotch bonnet pepper, halved
½ cup lime juice
2 cups silver tequila

Separate ¼ of the watermelon cubes and freeze. Purée the remaining watermelon and strain; you should have about 8 cups juice. Boil sugar and ¼ cup water in a 1-qt. saucepan until sugar is dissolved. Add Scotch bonnet pepper halves and let syrup cool; strain into a pitcher. Stir in watermelon juice and frozen cubes, lime juice, and tequila.

 

Green Monster

From: Saveur
Floral, tropical passion fruit juice pairs with white rum and cool mint in this vibrant drink based on a Costa Rican cocktail. Try it with highly spiced foods like Panamanian garlic chicken. SERVES 4-6

¼ cup sugar
4 cups passion fruit juice
1½ cups white rum
? cup fresh lime juice
1½ cup mint leaves
Thin-sliced lime wheels, for garnish

Boil sugar with ¼ cup water in a 1-qt. saucepan until sugar is dissolved; let simple syrup cool and transfer to a blender. Add passion fruit juice, rum, lime juice, and mint leaves; purée until smooth. Strain into a pitcher, garnish with sliced limes. Serve chilled.

 

Vodka Lavender Thyme Lemonade

From: Saveur
Lemonade gains herbaceous depth from lavender and thyme, while vodka delivers a good, clean punch. Serve it with salty, casual foods like Beijing chicken wings or blue cheese-stuffed burgers.
SERVES 4-6

¾ cup sugar
¼ cup dried lavender
1 bunch thyme
4 cups sparkling lemon soda
1 cup vodka
½ cup lemon juice
Thin-sliced lemon wheels, for garnish

Boil sugar and ¾ cup water in a 2-qt. saucepan until sugar is dissolved. Add lavender and thyme; let herb syrup cool and then strain into a pitcher filled with ice. Stir in sparkling lemon soda, vodka, and lemon juice, garnish with sliced lemons.

Kalimotxo

From: Saveur
Popular refresher on the shores of San Sebastián.
MAKES ONE COCKTAIL

3 oz. dry rioja wine
3 oz. cola
Juice of half a lemon
1 lemon slice, to garnish

1. Combine rioja, cola, and lemon juice in a chilled cocktail glass filled with ice. Garnish with lemon slice to serve.