In this week's COTW: We're continuing our summer melon series with a sophisticated sipper that pairs America's native spirit with the season's juiciest fruit, creating a cocktail that bridges the gap between summer refreshment and autumn's approaching warmth.
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 adding a touch of Southern charm with a bourbon-based watermelon cocktail that's perfect for these late August evenings when summer begins its gentle transition toward fall.
THE COCKTAIL:
Today's feature is the "Watermelon Bourbon Cooler" – an elegant, refreshing cocktail that marries the rich caramel and vanilla notes of quality bourbon with the sweet, juicy essence of peak-season watermelon. This cocktail strikes a perfect balance between the cooling refreshment of summer and the warming comfort of bourbon, creating a drink that's as suited to a backyard barbecue as it is to a sophisticated dinner party.
Watermelon Bourbon Cooler
Ingredients
- Bourbon (2 oz per cocktail): Select a bourbon with good character but not too much oak – Maker's Mark, Buffalo Trace, or Four Roses Small Batch are excellent choices. The bourbon provides warming caramel, vanilla, and oak notes that create a beautiful counterpoint to the fresh watermelon. The higher proof helps the bourbon flavors stand up to the strong watermelon character.
- Fresh Watermelon Juice (2 oz per cocktail): As with our previous watermelon cocktails, selecting a ripe, sweet watermelon is crucial. The natural sweetness reduces the need for additional sweeteners while providing a beautiful pink color and refreshing quality. Watermelon and bourbon might seem like an unlikely pairing, but the fruit's sweetness actually complements bourbon's caramel notes beautifully.
- Fresh Lemon Juice (½ oz per cocktail): While lime is often paired with watermelon, lemon works better with bourbon due to its slightly softer acidity. The citrus brightness helps balance the sweetness of the watermelon and the richness of the bourbon, while adding a refreshing quality that makes this a true "cooler."
- Simple Syrup (¼ oz per cocktail): Just a touch is needed to round out the flavors and create perfect balance. The amount needed will depend on the sweetness of your watermelon – adjust to taste.
- Aromatic Bitters (2 dashes per cocktail): Angostura or other aromatic bitters add complexity and depth, helping to bridge the bourbon and watermelon flavors. The baking spice notes complement both the bourbon and the fruit.
- Club Soda (1-2 oz per cocktail): A light splash of carbonation transforms this into a proper "cooler," adding refreshing effervescence that makes it especially suited for warm weather.
- Garnish Options: A small watermelon wedge, a lemon wheel, and a sprig of mint create a visually appealing presentation. The mint garnish adds an aromatic element that complements both the bourbon and watermelon.
- Ice: Large, clear ice cubes work best to minimize dilution while keeping the drink properly chilled.
Instructions
Prepare the Watermelon Juice:
- Cut about 2 cups of seedless watermelon into chunks.
- Blend the watermelon chunks until smooth.
- Strain through a fine-mesh sieve to remove pulp and any seeds.
- Chill the juice before using for the best flavor.
For Each Cocktail:
- Fill a highball glass with ice – preferably large, clear cubes.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine 2 ounces bourbon, 2 ounces fresh watermelon juice, ½ ounce fresh lemon juice, and ¼ ounce simple syrup.
- Add 2 dashes of aromatic bitters.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until well-chilled.
- Strain the cocktail into your prepared glass over fresh ice.
- Top with 1-2 ounces of chilled club soda, adding it gently to preserve carbonation.
- Garnish with a small watermelon wedge, a lemon wheel, and a sprig of mint. For maximum aromatic effect, slap the mint between your palms before adding it to release the essential oils.
GLASSWARE:
A highball glass or Collins glass is ideal for this cocktail, allowing room for ice and the club soda top-off while showcasing the beautiful pink color. For a more rustic presentation, a mason jar works wonderfully and nods to the bourbon's Southern heritage.
BOURBON & WATERMELON: THE PERFECT LATE SUMMER PAIRING
Bourbon and watermelon might seem like an unexpected combination, but they share a deeply American heritage that makes them natural partners, especially for late summer sipping:
Bourbon is America's native spirit, legally required to be produced in the United States (primarily Kentucky) from a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn and aged in new charred oak barrels. Its rich history dates back to the late 18th century when Scottish and Irish immigrants brought their distilling traditions to the American frontier.
Watermelon has been grown in the American South since the colonial era, with Thomas Jefferson famously cultivating them at Monticello. By the 19th century, watermelons had become a symbol of Southern summer hospitality, often served at social gatherings and celebrations.
The pairing works beautifully from a flavor perspective too. Bourbon's caramel and vanilla notes from corn and oak aging complement watermelon's natural sweetness, while the fruit's refreshing quality tempers bourbon's warming character. It's a combination that bridges seasons – capturing summer's last hurrah while hinting at fall's approaching embrace.
BATCH PREPARATION FOR GATHERINGS:
This cocktail scales up beautifully for entertaining. For a pitcher serving 8-10:
- Combine 16 ounces (2 cups) bourbon, 16 ounces (2 cups) fresh watermelon juice, 4 ounces (½ cup) fresh lemon juice, and 2 ounces (¼ cup) simple syrup in a large pitcher.
- Add 16-20 dashes of aromatic bitters.
- Stir well and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- When serving, pour over ice in individual glasses and top each with a splash of club soda.
- Garnish individually as described above.
CLOSING:
The Watermelon Bourbon Cooler captures that special moment in late summer when we're still enjoying warm days but can sense autumn on the horizon. The cocktail offers refreshment with a touch of warming comfort – perfect for savoring on the patio as evening falls or for gathering with friends to celebrate the season's transition. Its balance of sweet fruit and rich bourbon creates a sophisticated yet approachable cocktail that makes the most of summer's final offerings.
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.