Watermelon Raspberry Martini

Well, it’s time to get this party started! I’m so excited to roll out “What’s For Dinner: Cooking with Carters” as a part of Middays with Sara. I adore eating what’s fresh and in season and shopping at Carter & Sons is always an adventure for me. And one I hope you’ll enjoy, too!

Disclaimer: I’m not a professional chef…no training whatsoever. So try these recipes at your own risk! Just kidding…I think. But I will share favorites and try new things–dabbling in the kitchen is a hobby of mine. I hope you enjoy!

Since I’ve invited you to the party, the least I can do is serve you a drink. So this week’s recipe is a delicious Watermelon Raspberry Martini. You can make it family-friendly (my tiny taste-testers loved it!) or spice it up a bit for the adults.

I found a great, Georgia-grown watermelon at Carters and even learned a bit about finding the right melon. Look for ugly–I’m talking the field spot–the yellow spot where the watermelon rested on the ground. The darker the field spot, the longer it ripened on the vine. If you don’t see a field spot or it’s white, skip that baby. Tiny black spots are not necessarily bad–they are sugar spots. It’s where the sugar leaks out, indicating a sweet melon. Brown dots in a line are pollination points and these are good things too. Look for uniform shape, a dull surface (shiny indicates under-ripe) and a rind that your knuckles bounce off when you thump it. Pick the heaviest melon for it’s size as that one holds more water and generally more sweetness.

I picked up my raspberries and limes at Carters as well. I’ll admit to having the raspberry vodka on hand–it’s such a great summer drink staple.

I hope you enjoy!

Watermelon Raspberry Martini

• 6 cups fresh, chunked watermelon
• 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
• 1/3 cup sugar
• juice from 2 limes
• 1 cup water *
• ice
• Optional-raspberry vodka

*If using raspberry vodka, reduce water to 1/2 cup and add 1/2 cup raspberry vodka.

In a blender or food processor, blend the watermelon, raspberries, sugar, lime juice and water until thoroughly pureed/liquefied.

Separate pulp and seeds from juice, by pouring mixture into a fine strainer over a bowl. Chill juice for at least an hour or, if you can’t wait, scoop ice into a cocktail mixer, pour in juice and shake thoroughly. Strain chilled juice only into a martini glass. Get fancy and garnish with lime slices, watermelon peel and raspberries.

Yields 4 Drinks

Nutrition Information: Calories per Serving: 176, Total Fat: 0 g, Saturated Fat: 0 g, Trans Fat: 0g, Unsaturated Fat: 0 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Sodium: 42 mg, Carbs: 45 g, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 39 g, Protein: 2 g (based on non-alcoholic recipe. Vodka adds more calories and sugar) Nutritional information is approximate as recipe is home kitchen based.