In this week's COTW: We're reimagining a classic cocktail with a late summer twist by taking our favorite melon to the grill, caramelizing its natural sugars to create depth and complexity that pairs perfectly with America's most beloved whiskey.
Welcome back to our "Watermelon Sugar High" series, where we're celebrating the peak of watermelon season with creative cocktails showcasing this quintessential summer fruit. We've already enjoyed the refreshing Watermelon Basil Smash and the exciting Spicy Watermelon Margarita. Today, we're bringing your backyard grill into the mixology equation with a sophisticated take on the world's most iconic whiskey cocktail.
THE COCKTAIL:
Today's feature is the "Grilled Watermelon Old Fashioned" – an innovative twist on the classic that transforms sweet summer watermelon through the magic of fire and smoke. By grilling watermelon, we concentrate its flavors and caramelize its natural sugars, creating a complex sweetener that pairs beautifully with bourbon's richness. This cocktail bridges the refreshing character of summer with the warming comfort of bourbon, perfect for these August evenings when we're savoring the season's final moments.
Grilled Watermelon Old Fashioned
Ingredients
- Bourbon (2 oz per cocktail): Choose a robust bourbon with good backbone – something in the 90-100 proof range with notable caramel and vanilla notes. Knob Creek, Woodford Reserve, or Four Roses Small Batch are excellent choices. The bourbon provides the foundation with its rich, complex flavors that will stand up to the caramelized watermelon notes.
- Grilled Watermelon (for infused syrup): This is our star ingredient and what makes this Old Fashioned unique. Grilling transforms watermelon's simple sweetness into something much more complex – concentrating the sugars, adding caramelization, and imparting subtle smoke notes that complement bourbon's oak character beautifully.
- Aromatic Bitters (2-3 dashes per cocktail): Angostura bitters are traditional for an Old Fashioned and work wonderfully here, though orange bitters make a nice addition as well. The bitters add depth and complexity, helping to integrate the bourbon and watermelon flavors.
- Orange Peel (for garnish and aromatic oils): The essential oil from the orange peel provides a bright, citrus aroma that lifts the cocktail and complements both the bourbon and watermelon notes.
- Ice: One large, clear ice cube is ideal – it melts slowly, preventing dilution while keeping the drink properly chilled.
Instructions
Prepare the Grilled Watermelon Syrup (make ahead):
- Cut a small watermelon into 1-inch thick slices.
- Heat your grill to medium-high (about 400°F).
- Place watermelon slices directly on the grill grates and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until grill marks appear and the flesh begins to caramelize.
- Remove from grill and let cool slightly.
- Cut away the rind and chop the grilled flesh into chunks.
- Add the grilled watermelon to a blender with an equal amount of sugar by weight (for example, 1 cup of grilled watermelon to 1 cup of sugar).
- Blend until smooth, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve.
- Transfer to a saucepan and heat gently, stirring until sugar is completely dissolved.
- Cool completely and transfer to a jar or bottle. This syrup will keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
For Each Cocktail:
- Place a large ice cube in an Old Fashioned glass.
- Add 2 ounces of bourbon.
- Add ½ ounce of your prepared grilled watermelon syrup.
- Add 2-3 dashes of aromatic bitters.
- Stir gently for about 30 seconds to properly chill and dilute the cocktail.
- Cut a swath of orange peel, making sure to include some of the white pith for structural integrity.
- Express the oils from the orange peel by twisting it over the surface of the cocktail.
- Rub the peel around the rim of the glass to further enhance the aromatic experience.
- Drop the peel into the cocktail as a garnish.
- Optionally, garnish with a small cube of grilled watermelon on a cocktail pick for visual impact and to hint at the flavors within.
GLASSWARE:
The traditional vessel for an Old Fashioned is the aptly named "Old Fashioned glass" (also called a rocks glass or lowball glass). Look for a hefty, weighty glass that feels substantial in the hand – part of the pleasure of an Old Fashioned is the tactile experience.
THE ART OF GRILLING FRUIT:
Grilling fruit might seem unusual, but it's a technique that unlocks new dimensions of flavor through several scientific processes:
Caramelization occurs when the natural sugars in the watermelon are exposed to high heat, creating hundreds of new flavor compounds. These complex molecules add depth and richness that fresh watermelon simply doesn't have.
The Maillard reaction (similar but distinct from caramelization) happens when amino acids and reducing sugars react under heat, creating new flavor compounds and that distinctive "grilled" taste that we associate with cooking over fire.
Concentration of flavors happens as the heat evaporates some of the water content in the watermelon (which is over 90% water), intensifying both sweetness and the essential watermelon flavor.
Smoke infusion adds another layer of complexity, especially if you're using a charcoal grill or adding wood chips. These smoky notes complement bourbon's barrel-aged character beautifully.
The result is a watermelon syrup with vastly more complexity than simple fresh watermelon juice – making it a worthy partner for a sophisticated spirit like bourbon in our elevated Old Fashioned.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT: THE OLD FASHIONED
The Old Fashioned is one of the oldest and most revered cocktails in existence, with origins dating back to the early 19th century. The first documented definition of a "cocktail" from 1806 described it as "spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters" – essentially, an Old Fashioned.
By the 1880s, newer cocktails with more elaborate ingredients had emerged, leading nostalgic drinkers to request cocktails made "the old-fashioned way," giving birth to the name we use today.
The traditional Old Fashioned uses whiskey (typically bourbon or rye), sugar, water, and bitters, with a citrus peel garnish. Our grilled watermelon variation honors this venerable template while introducing a seasonal, summery twist that Don Draper himself might approve of – if he were willing to step outside his rigid traditionalism.
CLOSING:
The Grilled Watermelon Old Fashioned takes summer's most beloved fruit and elevates it through the transformative power of fire, creating a sophisticated cocktail that's both familiar and innovative. It's the perfect way to bridge the gap between summer refreshment and the warming comfort of bourbon – ideal for these late August evenings when we're savoring summer's final moments while looking ahead to fall.
As always I am open to hear your take and your input. You can reach me at [email protected]
Reminder: As always, enjoy responsibly and designate a driver if you're out and about sampling these delightful creations.