I remember watching a Ken Burns documentary series a few years back about the National Park system. It was called, “America’s Best Idea.”
I was thinking about this on a particularly hot Southern California summer afternoon, the desert winds blowing through the canyon and out to sea. It was stifling, I was thirsty… and then it came to me: My best idea!
Watermelon Aguarita
It began with a half-eaten watermelon sitting on the kitchen counter. I was reminded of a post about watermelon agua fresca on my friend’s Jessica’s blog, Attempts in Domesticity. I pulled up her website, glanced at the instructions, and made myself a nice cold pinkish glass of watermelon agua fresca, which was just as refreshing as the post had suggested.
In the post, Jessica had floated the idea that alcohol might not be a bad addition, to which I’d responded in the comments: “Say ‘yes’ to vodka in your agua fresca.”
Today, however, in the near-Mexican heat, it was tequila I had on my mind. And tequila I turned to.
The result was something of a modified Mexican margarita, served in margarita glasses rimmed with lime, ground chili and salt. I’d used less watermelon and more lime than the recipe, plus some blue agave syrup in place of sugar (since I’d be using tequila). And finally, put a bunch of ice into the blender with the other ingredients (Jessica’s recipe was on the rocks).
Since my best idea was a combination of her agua fresca and a margarita, I dubbed my afternoon inspiration the “Watermelon Aguarita.” And drank up.
Okay, so maybe it wasn’t the best idea I’ve ever had, and did depend on borrowing from other sources (“Standing on the shoulders of giants,” as Sir Isaac Newton put it). But on that particular afternoon, solving the origins of the universe would’ve been no more satisfying that the synergistic confluence of watermelon, tequila, lime and ice.
Enjoy!
* * *
Watermelon Aguarita
serves 2 – 3
2 thick wedges watermelon (about 2 cups if cut into cubes)
4 oz. good tequila (silver or reposada)
2 oz. agave syrup (or simple syrup)
juice 2 limes
ice
1 tbsp. salt
1 tbsp. ground chili
lime wedge
Place first four ingredients in a blender with about 2 cups of ice. Blend until smooth.
Toss together the salt and ground chili, and place on a plate. Brush the rim of two margarita glasses with lime, then dip the rim in the salt/chili mixture. Pour aguarita into glasses.
Winner gets the leftover aguarita from the blender.
skinny girls & mayonnaise 
Jul 11, 2014 @ 15:54:54
I like the non alcoholic one for my non drinking friends whom I like to accommodate.
BTW when you say I’m thirsty does it ever mean water?
Jul 11, 2014 @ 16:02:12
Sometimes it means water. But not usually.
Jul 11, 2014 @ 16:02:01
I think I’m feeling cooler already just reading about your drink. I love that you always have the perfect glass for your concoctions. Drink on, old’ buddy.
Jul 11, 2014 @ 16:10:54
It’s all about the glass. Well, it’s partly all about the glass.
Jul 11, 2014 @ 16:07:30
oh. heck. yes.
Jul 11, 2014 @ 16:10:27
thank you, thank you.
Jul 11, 2014 @ 16:44:26
That would work in my tropical side of the world . . . and I have Friday off with nowhere to be but poolside working on the “Wave” mosaic, which is turning out pretty fantastic for a couple of mosaic novices. Watch your mail next week! Something special your way comes!!
Jul 11, 2014 @ 16:47:03
Friday is a good day in Central FL! Have a drink for me whilst I go out and press my eye agin’ the mailbox.
Jul 11, 2014 @ 17:12:00
Give it a week so you don’t have a hard pressed eye! I’m off to the store for some Tequila. Limited selection in FLA but I’ll take suggestions on good mainstream Tequilas. Gearing up for the 10 day BVI Rum extravaganza in mid August. Sailing the big Catamaran to Anegada Island (check it out and the snorkeling for urchins should prove good so I can try that double sp-uni trick).
Jul 11, 2014 @ 18:19:47
Cazadores is my go to tequila, and should be available at most grocery stores. Camarena is a good less expensive tequila. Man, whenever you’re out sailing, I wish I had your life!
Jul 11, 2014 @ 20:23:33
I picked a Camarena Reposada! Listening to a story on NPR the other day about the Tequila industry and I started swerving just listening! One day you and Leslie or you and Flynn or you Leslie and the kids should come out and play pirate with us. It is simply spectacular! This year we have one open cabin suite but more trips are planned and it is not that expensive (kind of). Check out the Catamaran on http://www.sunsail.com/fleet/sunsail-444-4-cabin-catamaran-yacht
Nice galley for some high seas dining, cookie!
Jul 11, 2014 @ 22:36:17
I’ll see your high seas galley and raise you a rum punch! Reel em in, cook ’em up! (or DON’T!)
Jul 11, 2014 @ 23:31:20
Ceviche you later my great friend!!
Jul 12, 2014 @ 00:12:52
OK, maybe it’s not Yosemite. But it’s pretty close. 🙂
Jul 12, 2014 @ 16:43:06
It’s the Half Dome of summer beverages!
Jul 12, 2014 @ 19:35:16
OH MY GOD! Yes! Funny enough I made some watermelon jello shots last night for a get-together I’m hosting today. I have about 2 cups leftover juice, plus lime juice plus tequila. I am SO making these for my friends today. Thanks for the shout out and the inspiration! I am fully on board with this being the best idea ever, especially since I believe anything with booze > things lacking booze.
Jul 13, 2014 @ 03:57:52
OMG, you’re not STILL making jello shots ARE YOU!???
Jul 15, 2014 @ 03:30:51
Oh yes.
Jul 20, 2014 @ 17:04:13
Yummy. We had watermelon margarita’s at my groom’s dinner in Playa del Carmen. Lovely little restaurant on the north edge of town, away from the hustle and bustle. http://www.lacuevadelchango.com/ I’ve never attempted to make them at home. Thanks for the inspiration. I am wondering how the watermelon juice would turn out run through a juicer rather than simply crushed and blended?
Jul 20, 2014 @ 17:45:13
Super cool. I checked out the website, I’m not that familiar with Caribbean Mexico, having logically spent all my time in Baja and on the Pacific Coast. But I’m just dying to visit a state with the name, “Quintana Roo”!! I’m sure it would be great run through a juicer, although the consistency of watermelon flesh merges nicely with the ice.