Today, in the dead of winter, I spotted green globes of summer goodness at my produce stand. I had to purchase one. The cashier smiled and said “great for booze, huh?” I smiled and informed him I was thinking gazpacho. Everyone in my inner circle knows I can’t make a cocktails. My spouse loves to tell the story of how I thought an airplane bottle could make two drinks. My friends know I will be the last to order so I can say “oh, I’ll have what she having”.

Arriving home, I displayed my find to my spouse, who exclaimed “Cocktail time!” I simply admitted defeat. I present you with boozy watermelon, and salute you to a three day weekend of fun, love, and relaxation. Cheers!

• 1 small watermelon
• 1 lemon
• 3 ounces of vodka
• 3 ounces Jim Beam
• ice cubes
• sugar to rim your glasses

Cut the watermelon in quarters, remove from rind, and blend. If you don’t have a blender, muddling will do. Strain with a cocktail shaker or cheesecloth. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the whiskey, vodka, watermelon puree, and half the fresh lemon juice; shake well. Rim glasses with lemon, place sugar on a plate. Press the rim of a chilled martini or rocks glass into the mixture to rim the edge. Strain cocktail