Cool as a Cucumber: Melon Cucumber Smash Cocktail

Raise a glass to the official beginning of summer! The summer solstice, which is the longest daylight period of the year and signifies the beginning of summer here in the northern hemisphere, falls on Friday, June 21 at 5:04 Universal Time, which is 12:04 a.m. Central Daylight Time.

Whether you’ll be up at midnight to welcome the season or would rather dance around the bonfire the next day, celebrating with a cool cocktail is in order. It seems warm weather has finally arrived, too! Four ingredients known for their refreshing, thirst-quenching character—mint, cucumber, lime, and watermelon—come together in this cool creation by mixologist Kathy Casey, which appeared in Drinks magazine.

This will help you remain as cool as a cucumber while ringing in the new long-awaited season. Cheers!
 

Melon Cucumber Smash

2 sprigs fresh mint
4 slices cucumber
3/4 oz. simple syrup (see below)
3/4 oz. fresh lime juice
2 oz. Bacardi Grand Melón rum
Splash chilled soda water
Garnish: fresh cucumber slice

Tear mint sprigs and drop into a cocktail shaker; add cucumber slices. Press with a muddler to bruise the mint and cucumber well. Add simple syrup, lime juice, and rum.

Fill shaker with ice, cap, and shake vigorously. Strain into a large cocktail glass and top with a splash of soda. Float cucumber slice in the drink.

To make simple syrup: Combine equal parts sugar and water in a heavy pan. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Store at room temperature or refrigerated until needed.
 

Mary Subialka is the editor of Real Food and Drinks magazines, covering the flavorful world of food, wine, and spirits. She rarely meets a chicken she doesn’t like, and hopes that her son, who used to eat beets and Indian food as a preschooler, will one day again think of real food as more than something you need to eat before dessert and be inspired by his younger brother, who is now into trying new foods.