Orange - Watermelon Martini

There is a saying; "accident is the mother of invention". In my case circumstance is the mother of invention and it led to the creation of a very delicious watermelon martini. I am normally a wine drinker, but there is something about being at the beach that makes me want a cocktail.

My friend Amy came to visit and brought her juicer with her.   She made some really delicious vegetable juice for us.  When she left the juicer stayed - so just by circumstance I happen to have a juicer at the beach.

When we sat down for our 4th of July meal I set out a platter of watermelon pieces.  It tasted fine, but unfortunately, the melon texture was off - a bit mushy and my family likes their watermelon crispy.  My first thought; 'can you juice a watermelon?' I asked Amy, she didn't know.  I plugged in the juicer, popped in the watermelon pieces, and out came a tasty juice.

Then, came the ahha moment - I did an Internet search and found a recipe for Watermelon Martini's.  It sounded ok, but I decided to experiment.  I don't like sweet drinks, so chose to leave out the sugar.  Only vodka on hand - Grey Goose Orange Flavored.  So, the Orange-Watermelon Martini was born and its sibling the Orange-Watermelon Spritzer.  Unfortunately, we don't have martini glasses at the beach, so I enjoyed mine in a wine glass.

Orange-Watermelon Martini - Yields 2 martinis

1 cup Watermelon Juice - one small watermelon yields 3 cups of juice

½ cup Orange Flavored Grey Goose Vodka

Juice from ½ of a lime

Ice

Sugar and/or salt  (optional)

Fill a shaker glass with ice.  Add watermelon juice, vodka and lime juice.  Shake. Optional Step: Rub edge of martini glass with piece of lime, dip rim in salt or sugar or mixture of both.  Fill glasses with mixture.  Enjoy!

Orange-Watermelon Spritzer

Prepare as above.  Fill two 16 ounce glass with ice, divide mixture between the two glasses.  Fill with Lime flavored seltzer water.  Garnish with a slice of lime.

I just discovered some tequila in the cupboard - anyone up for a Watermelon Margarita?