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It’s no wonder we dedicate a day to watermelon- an American summer is not complete without this delicious and sweet fruit. Below are my favorite relatable recipes from over the years – including a craft for the kids and a treat for the dog!
Who would’ve known that we have a watermelon recognition day?! Like me, if you are on Pinterest, you have probably stumbled across that list of fun and off-beat National “Holidays” throughout the year. Here is a link to the online national holiday list – If you ever run out of ideas for a rainy day, go to the calendar and see if the theme for that day (or sometime that week) sparks a craft or recipe idea for your family!
This website is also great because it provides highlights of that date in history! https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-watermelon-day-august-3/
You can also find an inexpensive printed calendar on Amazon, I just purchased this one to hang on the inside of my pantry door: https://amzn.to/3inXenQ
Watermelon Mojito (Non-Alcoholic Version, Too!)
Serves 2
Quadruple the recipe to make a pitcher that serves 8!
- 8- 1″chunks of seedless watermelon
- 4-6 mint leaves
- juice of 1 lime
- 1 ounce simple syrup or 2 TBS sugar (omit if using soda)
- 3 ounces of white rum (4 ounces for stronger drink)
- Crushed or small cubed ice
- 1 cup (8oz) sparkling water or sprite/7up
Mocktail version
- 8- 1″ chunks of seedless watermelon
- 4-6 mint leaves
- 3 ounces juice: limeade, pineapple, lemonade
- 1 cup of crushed or small cubed ice
- 1 cup (8oz) sparkling water or sprite/7up
Optional: Run a lime wedge around the rim of each glass and dip in large sugar crystals. I have found these King Arthur ones to work best with baking and this cocktail: https://amzn.to/2VxSvqI
Oh Bailey! lol She wants some poolside mojitos too!
Frozen Mojito Drink Pouches
AKA: The grownup version of Capri Suns
These drink pouches are the absolute perfect addition to any picnic or party! You can make frozen mojitos or a kid-friendly watermelon slush. The best part about these is that you can pack them in a cooler and they double as ice packs for your other cooler items and individual drinks.
Of course, these pouches were an Amazon find for a family party a couple of years ago. I love that they are larger and include the straws. 1 pack of them was so inexpensive and came with 100 bags+straws. Direct link to the product: https://amzn.to/3fouQQf
To Make: Simply follow the above recipe for “Watermelon Mojito”(regular or non-alcoholic version), But combine all ingredients (including ice and soda) into your blender and pulse for about 15 seconds. Pour into pouches, secure the seal and freeze up to 3 months. Take them out and throw them into your cooler or let them thaw a little on the counter (about 30 minutes) until they are the perfect slushy consistency.
Note: Placing the pouches into a round container makes it super easy to fill, handsfree, without a mess or tipping over!
Watermelon Granita
Known as “Granita siciliana” in Italy, where this treat derives from. Made from sugar, water, and natural flavorings – typically lemon or strawberry. This treat is similar to our American shaved ice/snow cones, and shares similarities with Italian ice … although more crystallized. Granita uses fresh fruit instead of colored syrups filled with dyes and sugar.
For a girl’s night in college, we tried this place called “Lolitas Cocina & Tequila Bar” in Greenwich, CT. Do you know how Mexican restaurants start you off with a basket of chips and salsa (guac extra, of course) or Italian restaurants with the bread and dipping oil? Well at Lolita’s, you’re welcomed to the table with a fresh granita centerpiece! It is easily a 10″ round stainless steel chilled bowl filled with fresh granita and topped with tequila (*no charge*) as a “palate cleanser” while you review the menu. Around the rim are enough spoons for each person. It is a great experience that I highly recommend if you are ever in that area, as they are still going strong today!
What You’ll Need:
- 4 cups seedless watermelon, cubed
- 2 tbs sugar
- Juice of 1/2 a lime
How To Make It: Blend all ingredients together and pour into a freezer-safe & shallow dish. Freeze for at least 2 hours. When the granita has hardened, scrape the top using a fork and place the shavings into small dishes or cups for serving. You can even use a little disposable snowcone cups for kids. Eat it quickly, it does melt fast on a hot day!
Watermelon sorbet
Creamy, dreamy watermelon sorbet – this is my new favorite! I never knew it was this easy to make and with so many different variations! I definitely want to try a strawberry one next. As for the coconut cream, it does not have a pungent overwhelming flavor of coconut, in fact, I don’t taste coconut at all in these. What it does provide is a smooth creamy consistency but not like ice cream.
- 3 cups seedless watermelon, cubed and frozen
- 3/4 cup coconut cream
- juice of 1/2 lime
This is the cream I keep on hand in my pantry – its great for homeamade smoothies, non-dairy coffee creamers, and sorbet! This is the sweetened version, they also have an unsweetened one. I used unsweetend for this recipe, but added sugar.
How To Make: First, you’ll want to roughly chop up some watermelon pieces, throw them into a ziplock bag, and freeze them for about 2 hours. Once the cubes are frozen, blend all the ingredients together. Place the mixture in the freezer for 4+ hours until frozen. Store in an airtight container for 1 month. Scoop and serve.
Watermelon Kabobs
Products I used in this recipe:
- Bamboo sticks or equivalent (for kids, avoid the pointy sticks)
- Star shaped (or whatever you’d prefer) cookie cutter
- Watermelon
- Blueberries
These are fun all summer long – using blueberries up the stick to the watermelon star has a firework look to it. You can easily use grapes or any other fruit in place of blueberries. Mix it up and make it your own!
Slice the watermelon into thick slices. Using a cookie cutter (any shape or design that’s not too dainty with work fine), cut out the shape and set it aside. Slide the stick through the center of each blueberry followed by your watermelon topper. You can also freeze these kabobs!
For the Dogs!
Products I used in this recipe:
The one I used was purchased years ago on Amazon, this set is similar.
Earth Animal No-Hide Stix. For the skewer, I use Bailey’s all-time favorite “bones”. We stumbled across these when she was a pup and have been their #1 fan since. I highly recommend them!
As a sidenote: This company, established in CT, is a stand up company that puts small businesses first. During the Covid pandemic, they kept business going for small family owned store fronts by supplying only to them while being out of stock online and through their own online store. I cant recommend this company and these digestible “bones” enough. We have been their #1 fans since 2015 and will continue.
Ingredients:
- Watermelon
- Blueberries
- Skewers/treat sticks
How To Make: Slice the watermelon into thick slices. Using a cookie cutter (any shape or design that’s not too dainty with work fine), cut out the shape and set it aside. Slide the bone through the center of each blueberry followed by your watermelon topper. You can also freeze these kabobs!
Fun Craft For Watermelon Day!
Who doesn’t love a good tie-dye craft? It’s the perfect summer camp activity for the whole family. This blog has a great tried and true watermelon tie-dye shirt tutorial with a video: https://www.todaysparent.com/family/crafts/how-to-make-a-dip-dyed-watermelon-t-shirt/ Try it out, snap a pic, and let me know how it goes by tagging me in your social media pic @driftwoodcorner.
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Check out our Etsy store, for you or any dog lovers in your family! We make custom dog leash holders for your entryway! All different sizes and options http://etsy.com/shop/driftwoodcorner
DAILY DOSE OF BAILEY
A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE KITCHEN TOOLS & ACCESSORIES
EMILIE HENRY PIZZA STONE
Steam Diverters found on Amazon – I have this dragon one and a plain (non-character) diverter that prevents steam from damaging the underneath of my cabinets. I highly recommend a steam diverter.
