Two Drinks, One Watermelon Tap Kit, and Summer’s in Full Swing

Our coolest summer accessory? This watermelon tap kit covers all the summer essentials: it works with our favorite fruit, focuses on quenching our thirst, and easily serves up all of our friends (with whom we are planning on spending lots of quality outdoor time this summer!) Check out this video to see how it works:

When it comes to what to put in to this ingenious invention, we have you covered. A Watermelon Tequila Punch kicks your outdoor party into high gear and Watermelon Agua Fresca is an easy blend that the whole family can enjoy.

Watermelon Tequila Punch

The perfect punch for a summer celebration, this refreshing drink is made from pureed watermelon for the ultimate in fresh flavor. Here we serve it in a keg made from a watermelon, but if you don’t have a watermelon tap kit, simply serve it from a punch bowl or your favorite drink dispenser.

Ingredients:

• 1 large seedless watermelon, 6 to 8 lb. (3 to 4 kg)   
• 1 1/2 cups (12 fl. oz./375 ml) fresh lime juice
• 1/3 cup (3 fl. oz./80 ml) agave nectar
• 2 cups (16 fl. oz./500 ml) tequila
• 3/4 cup (6 fl. oz./180 ml) St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
• Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)

Directions:

Cut off about 2 inches (5 cm) from one end of the watermelon to expose the red flesh. (Save the piece to use as a lid if you’re going to turn the watermelon into a keg.) Using a metal spoon, scoop half of the flesh from the watermelon and transfer to a blender. Blend on high speed until smooth. Pour through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl. Repeat with the remaining watermelon flesh. You should have about 8 cups (64 fl. oz./2 l) of watermelon puree.

Add the lime juice, agave nectar, tequila and elderflower liqueur to the bowl with the watermelon puree, and stir until combined. If using a watermelon tap kit, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to turn the watermelon into a keg. Pour the punch into the watermelon keg, or pour into a punch bowl or drink dispenser. Serve the punch in glasses filled with ice, garnished with fresh mint leaves. Serves 12.

Watermelon Agua Fresca

Mexican agua fresca (lightly sweetened, crushed fresh fruit stirred together with a little water) is a refreshing alternative to iced tea or lemonade. Mix all the ingredients and chill well, then transfer the blend to a watermelon fit with a tap, a drink dispenser or a large punch bowl with a ladle and let guests serve themselves.

Ingredients:

• 1 very ripe, red seedless watermelon, about 12 lb (about 5.5 kg).
• Juice of 4 limes
• 3/4 cup (6 oz/170 g) sugar
• 1 cup (about 1 1/2 oz/40 g) crushed fresh mint leaves, plus sprigs for garnish
• 4 cups (32 fl. oz./1 l) sparkling water
• 3 limes, thinly sliced
• 2 quarts (1.5 kg) ice cubes

Directions:

Cut off about 2 inches (5 cm) from one end of the watermelon to expose the red flesh. (Save the piece to use as a lid if you’re going to turn the watermelon into a keg.) Using a metal spoon, scoop out the flesh into a large bowl. Working in batches, puree the watermelon in a blender or food processor. As each batch is ready, transfer it to another large bowl. 

Add the lime juice, sugar and mint leaves to the puree, and stir to dissolve the sugar and combine the ingredients. Cover and let stand at room temperature for at least 1 hour or up to 3 hours to allow the flavors to develop. 

If using a watermelon tap kit, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to turn the watermelon into a keg. Pour the punch through a medium-mesh sieve into the watermelon keg, or pour into a punch bowl or drink dispenser. Add the sparkling water, lime slices and ice. Ladle or pour into glasses and garnish each glass with a mint sprig. Serves 8.

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Entertaining, Edited by Chuck Williams (Oxmoor House, 2004).