Fresh Watermelon Margaritas

I made these for Cinco de Mayo and they turned out great, so of course when I go to make them last night to do as a post here, I knocked over the cocktail shaker before the margarita mix ever hit the glasses.. After soaking up a sticky puddle and slinging around words that would make even a sailor blush.. I made an entire new batch that turned out wonderful! They’re sweet, refreshing, and crisp and make the perfect summer cocktails on a hot day!

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Ingredients:

½ cup sugar

½ cup water

Strips of orange zest from half an orange

2 cups watermelon cubes

Juice from 2 limes

¾ cup white or silver tequila

Coarse salt for the rims

Small wedges of watermelon for garnish

Ice

(1.) In a small sauce pan, bring sugar, water, and orange zest to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 3-5 minutes or until sugar dissolves to form an orange syrup. Remove from heat and set aside to cool. (2.) Place watermelon cubes in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. (3.) Strain through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl. (4.) You should have about 1 cup of watermelon juice. Pour into a cocktail shaker or pitcher. Add lime juice, tequila, and syrup and stir or shake until mixed.

Pour coarse salt into a wide shallow bowl. Take one of your limes halves/wedges and run around the rim of two glasses. Dip edges of the glass in salt to coat the rims. Add several ice cubes and pour margarita mix in. Garnish and serve!

Enjoy!