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This easy riff on a classic Collins cocktail is made with vodka, limoncello, freshly squeezed lemon juice, muddled watermelon, and simple syrup.
Best made when watermelon is in season and at its sweetest and most flavorful, this cocktail is refreshing and a terrific choice for summer entertaining.
Muddling releases the juices from fruit and the flavorful oils from fresh herbs, and it’s an easy way to add fresh flavor and natural sweetness to your cocktails. Here are a few tips on how to do it right.
How to Muddle Fruit and Herbs for Cocktails
- Purchase a muddler that will stand the test of time. Wooden muddlers are popular, but they do deteriorate over time. We like the type with a stainless handle and nylon tip.
- Muddle in a stainless cocktail shaker or sturdy mixing glass that won’t crack or chip when you apply pressure.
- For best results when muddling fresh herbs, apply light pressure, and use a gentle twisting motion with the muddler. Take care not to over-muddle as this can release bitterness from the herb’s stems and veins. Generally, as soon as you detect a fragrant whiff of the herb, you’ve muddled enough.
- When muddling fruit, you can be more forceful. The idea here is to release all the juices, so apply firm pressure and muddle away!
Watermelon-Limoncello Collins
This easy riff on a classic Collins cocktail is made with vodka, limoncello, freshly squeezed lemon juice, muddled watermelon, and simple syrup.
Ingredients
- 4 to 6 small chunks fresh watermelon
- 1-1/2 ounces vodka
- 3/4 ounce limoncello
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- Splash of soda
- Lemon wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Muddle the watermelon in a mixing glass.
- Add the vodka, limoncello, lemon juice, and simple syrup and fill with ice.
- Shake vigorously to blend and strain into an ice filled Collins glass.
- Top with a splash of soda and garnish with a lemon wheel.
Notes
- Muddle in a stainless cocktail shaker or sturdy mixing glass that won’t crack or chip when you apply pressure.
- When muddling watermelon, feel free to use a little bit of force. You want to release all the juices, so apply firm pressure and muddle away!
Nutrition
Calories: 252, Sodium: 11mg, Carbohydrates: 32g, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 24g, Protein: 1g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Sounds delicious. I assume you add the limoncello in the cocktail shaker before mixing? It’s been left out of the instructions.
Hi Charley,
Sorry about that omission. You are right, the limoncello gets added to the shaker with the watermelon, lemon juice, vodka, and simple syrup. The instructions are fixed. Thanks for catching the mistake and bringing it to my attention.