***BRAIN-FREEZE ALERT***
This Bourbon cocktail is cold, really cold. That first sip is probably going to give you a brain freeze. Lol, you’ve been warned!
A great frozen blender cocktail, my Watermelon Bourbon Slushie combines frozen watermelon, peaches, bourbon, and Aperol. This cocktail is ridiculously cold and not too sweet. Making this frozen Bourbon slushie one of my favorite summertime thirst quenchers. When we get a really good watermelon, I’ll dice some into cubes, measure a few individual servings, place them in zip bags, and freeze them. Frozen watermelon is ready to go at a moment’s notice, and these little ice cubes of watermelon and peaches are perfect with your favorite whiskey.
Watermelon Bourbon Slushie Ingredients
- Watermelon: Watermelon is roughly 92% water and 6% sugar, making it perfect for freezing and for cocktails. I measure 1-cup of watermelon per drink and freeze it in plastic baggies.
- Peaches: Any variety of peach will work, they add a nice sweetness and color to the slushie. Peaches have always been one of my favorite additions to Bourbon and they are the perfect accent to the watermelon. They contain 88% water and freeze well. I place 1/2-cup of diced peaches into little plastic baggies and have them ready to go in my freezer.
- Aperol: This is a slightly bitter, slightly sweet Italian apértif that highlights the best qualities of the bourbon. Adding bitters to cocktails adds complexity, depth, and character.
- Bourbon is an American whiskey, it is believed that Bourbon gets its name from Bourbon County, Kentucky. The American Bourbon Association website has great information about this amazing whiskey. Firstly, in order for whiskey to be called Bourbon, it must be made in the USA. The mash must contain at least 51% corn, with no additives or artificial colorings. Bourbon must be aged in new charred oak barrels that are aged on their sides to allow good airflow. In order to be considered ‘Straight Bourbon Whiskey’ it must be aged for a minimum of 2-years. That being said, this is a very condensed version of what makes Bourbon, Bourbon.
How to Choose a Watermelon
Choose a watermelon with a yellow spot on the melon, not white. This yellow spot is where the melon lays on the ground when it is growing. As the melon ripens, the spot will change from green to white to yellow. The yellow spot indicates a perfectly ripe watermelon.
This is my recipe for a Watermelon Bourbon Slushie
Watermelon Bourbon Slushie
Equipment
- Blender
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Watermelon Frozen
- 1/2 Cup Peaches Frozen
- 1/4 Cup Ice
- 2 Ounces Bourbon
- 1 Ounce Aperol
Garnish
- Watermelon Slice
- Mint
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Garnish with fresh mint and a small slice of cold watermelon
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