Spiced Watermelon Mocktail

Ingredients:

• Watermelon

• Jalapenos

• ¼ cup simple syrup

• 1 tablespoon lime juice

• Sparkling water

• Salt 

• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions:

1. Cut up the watermelon into batches. One cup worth of watermelon goes into the freezer while another cup worth of watermelon stays fresh. Also leave some triangle shaped slices to the side for the garnish.

2. Slice a couple jalapenos into rounds for garnish. Take another jalapeno and cut it in half. Take one of the halves and de-seed it. 

3. Prepare your glasses by combining the salt and cayenne pepper onto a flat plate or dish. Use a lime to wet the rims of the glass before dipping it into the salt and pepper mixture. Once you’ve rimmed all the glasses, set it aside.

4. Combine the frozen and fresh watermelon together in a blender along with the de-seeded jalapeno half. Blend until everything is broken down and the jalapeno cannot be seen.

5. Pour the watermelon mixture through a strainer to get rid of the pulp.

6. Add lime juice and simple syrup to the watermelon mixture and stir together.

7. Fill the glasses about ⅔ full of the watermelon mixture and then top it off with sparkling water. 

8. Garnish with a watermelon slice and a jalapeno round placed on the rim. Serve and enjoy!

Notes:

• You can experiment with the spice levels by adding more or less of the jalapeno and cayenne pepper, or by using other kinds of peppers or powdered spice. 

• For added flavor you can use flavored sparkling water. You can use watermelon, lemon, lime, or other flavors. 

• If you want to transform this recipe into a frozen drink, freeze all the watermelon before blending and do not strain anymore. This will ensure a more slushy-like consistency. Switch to different kinds of glass or add a straw for ease. 

• You don’t have to do a salted rim. You can use any mixture as long as it’s in a powder or grounded form so that it will stick to the rim. Or you may opt to leave the rim as is with just the fruit for garnish.