Spicy Watermelon Margarita
Watermelon and serrano in the same glass, with basil holding the line between them. Built on lemon rather than lime, which lets the fruit stay sweet instead of cutting it, and finished with a Tajín rim that ties the sugar and the heat together.
7 ingredients5 minutesMargaritaWatermelon wedge, basil leaf, Tajín rim
Ingredients
2 oz Verified Pure blanco tequila
1 oz fresh lemon juice
0.5 oz agave nectar (2:1 agave to water)
1 oz fresh watermelon
1 basil leaf
1 thin serrano slice
Tajín for the rim
Method
- Rim a margarita glass with Tajín and set it aside.
- Muddle the watermelon, basil, and serrano with the agave in the bottom of a shaker.
- Add tequila, lemon juice, and ice; shake hard until well chilled.
- Double strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice; garnish with a watermelon wedge and a basil leaf.
Panel note
Lemon rather than lime is deliberate. Lime cuts watermelon and leaves it tasting thin; lemon sits underneath and lets the fruit stay sweet, which is what gives the serrano something to push against. Seeds in for real heat, seeds out for a warm finish.