Attention Cocktail Nerds!

**tomcat** · 01-06-2019, 06:38 AM

The Perfect Picnic Drink Is a Refreshing Tequila-Watermelon Cooler

How to make a Sandia Fairy, a watermelon margarita-like cocktail elevated by absinthe.

By John deBary (Bloomberg)

The Sandia Fairy is the best drink for a picnic. Photographer: Janelle Jones/Bloomberg; Food Stylist: Liza Jernow; Prop Stylist: Anna SurbatovichPicnics call for refreshing, unfussy long drinks—Arnold Palmers, mojitos—drinks that don’t take too much prep and provide ample hydration. But moreover, ones that hold up well to transport and long, languorous days in the sun. The Sandia Fairy, something of an elevated watermelon margarita, exceeds on both counts. It will also pique the curiosity of any cocktail nerds in your group with an unexpected combination of flavors.

“I like mixing the pepper and soil flavors of the tequila with the sweet, herbal taste of absinthe,” says Victor Lopez, an agave-spirit enthusiast and longtime bartender at PDT (Please Don’t Tell), the famous neo-speakeasy in New York’s East Village. And for the base, the most iconic of summer fruits: watermelo

Watermelon has a great capacity to support and blend well with a wide variety of flavors, be they salty elements like feta cheese or sweet accompaniments such as berries and stone fruit. Here the juice bounces off the savoriness of El Tesoro and tempers the rich, woody notes from the bourbon-barrel aging. The tequila’s herbal notes are brought out by the fennel, mint, and tarragon of the St. George Absinthe. “They’re like two great friends that come together,” says Lopez—which is exactly how a picnic should be.

Using the mint only as a garnish provides a fresh-eyed hit of aromatics without dialing up the herbaceousness too much. If you can’t find the specific bottles listed, ask your liquor store for a reposado that says “100% de Agave” on the label, so you know it’s the real deal; any absinthe would do in a pinch, even a pastis, if pickings are slim.

For technique, the trick is to pre-batch, i.e., mix it ahead of time to finish in the glass, rather than lugging everything to the park. If you don’t have a juicer, you can purée watermelon in a blender and strain out the solids to get fresh juice. And you might find yourself needing to add a little more simple syrup depending on the ripeness of your watermelon.
Sandia Fairy

Serves 4-6
2 cups fresh watermelon juice
1½ cups El Tesoro Reposado Tequila
2 oz. lemon juice
2 oz. St. George Absinthe
2 oz. agave syrup or simple syrup
Mint, for garnish
Watermelon slices, for garnish

Combine all ingredients in a container and stir, chilling for up to 2 to 3 hours before serving; watermelon juice is very fragile so anything beyond 5 hours is pushing it. At your picnic, pour directly into collins glasses with ice or serve in an ice-filled pitcher to allow guests to serve themselves. (Just note, the more time it sits over ice in the pitcher, the more dilution you’ll get from melting.) Take a sprig of mint and clap it between your palms, to release the oils, and garnish along with a small slice of watermelon.

**Maanaam** · 01-06-2019, 07:46 AM

It actually sounds like an excellent summer drink, though 1.5 cups of tequila plus 2 oz of absinthe per 2 cups of juice makes it sound like one won't be having too many in one sitting.
I wonder what sort of background high is achieved with tequila plus absinthe?

**happynz** · 01-06-2019, 07:49 AM

I'm interested *hic*

**tomcat** · 01-06-2019, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by Maanaam

though 1.5 cups of tequila plus 2 oz of absinthe per 2 cups of juice makes it sound like one won't be having too many in one sitting

...*cough*...

**Stumpy** · 01-06-2019, 08:27 AM

Being a Tequila drinker, on the surface this sounds AWFUL. I just cant get the Watermelon and Tequila connection. However I guess if one has a super cheap Silver tequila sitting around then its a way to get rid of it with friends.

. Keep in mind that if your guests puke that would be a messy sweet thing to clean up.

**tomcat** · 01-06-2019, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by JPPR2

Being a Tequila drinker, on the surface this sounds AWFUL.

...please refrain from judgment until you've finished the first pitcher...

**bowie** · 01-06-2019, 08:43 AM

too damn much watermelon juice

**tomcat** · 01-06-2019, 08:46 AM

...an alternative strategy: throw the watermelon juice over your shoulder and drink the tequila...

**Stumpy** · 01-06-2019, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by tomcat

...an alternative strategy: throw the watermelon juice over your shoulder and drink the tequila...

Now we're talking. Give the watermelon juice to someone else and clank back the Tequila. However I do not think you wanna be doing that with rot gut silver or Tesoro Reposado Tequila.

**tomcat** · 01-06-2019, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by JPPR2

However I do not think you wanna be doing that with rot gut silver or Tesoro Reposado Tequila

...so, assemble the drink as suggested, enjoy a pitcher or two and keep a basin handy for the vomit...ah, summer!...

**YourDaddy** · 01-06-2019, 09:50 AM

How about tequila with Smirnoff citrus and Corona.....if u wanna go all gay

**Stumpy** · 01-06-2019, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by tomcat

...so, assemble the drink as suggested, enjoy a pitcher or two and keep a basin handy for the vomit...ah, summer!...

I think we are set.

When is the first pour.....

**Troy** · 01-06-2019, 11:16 AM

I prefer to throw away the tequila and drink the watermelon juice.

**tomcat** · 01-06-2019, 02:33 PM

...^so, drinking alone again I see...

**Norton** · 01-06-2019, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by Troy

I prefer to throw away the tequila and drink the watermelon juice.

Here ya go if you are in no hurry.

https://m.wikihow.com/Make-Watermelon-Wine

**SKkin** · 01-06-2019, 03:15 PM

one tequila
two tequila
three tequila
floor...

That's how it worked for me anyway.

**Stumpy** · 01-06-2019, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by SKkin

one tequila
two tequila
three tequila
floor...

That's how it worked for me anyway.

If doubles then I 2nd that.....

**SKkin** · 01-06-2019, 04:55 PM

Not very good at drinking, that's why I quit.

Before being concerned about drug testing, I could however smoke like a chimney. Not sure how I would hold up now...it's been a long time.

**Maanaam** · 01-06-2019, 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by SKkin

Not very good at drinking, that's why I quit.

You wouldn't want to try the OP cocktail then. Ever tried absinthe? Aside from being overproof, it has wormwood in it which is reputedly psychoactive. I can attest that it knocks you around.

**NamPikToot** · 01-06-2019, 08:33 PM

For summer its either Pimms or G&T, Pimms with cucumber and orange slices and fuk load voddie or gin there or both. Tequilla just aint a summer drink imho its a pisshead quaff

**Troy** · 01-06-2019, 08:38 PM

^ Agreed! Pimm's with Apple and orange slices, vodka and lemonade for me as well. Tequila is yuck and absinthe based is yuckier.

Village aunties, mums and girls are dancing happy long before they realise the drink is lethal.

**Stumpy** · 01-06-2019, 08:40 PM

Originally Posted by NamPikToot

Tequilla just aint a summer drink imho its a pisshead quaff

Oh man, you need to have a gooood Margarita. On the rocks or blended. Great Summer drink.

**NamPikToot** · 01-06-2019, 08:42 PM

Originally Posted by Troy

^Village aunties, mums and girls are dancing happy long before they realise the drink is lethal.

Troy you are wicked man. True tho, the Pimms, alcoholic in its own right plus the application of fruit make the addition of c40 proof booze take a backstage which at times can have hilarious results amongst the ladies. Dancin the night away as Van Halen would have it

**Stumpy** · 01-06-2019, 08:42 PM

Another great summer drink, Vodka/Cranberry/Contreau

**Dragonfly** · 01-06-2019, 09:38 PM

that drink sounds very very gay,

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