Watermelon-Cucumber Cooler

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Photo credit: Martha Stewart

Each bite into a ruby-hued slice of watermelon produces a sluice of sweet juice, all over your hands and arms. Sometimes you probably slurp the sticky stuff right off of you instead of going for a napkin.

Why not skip a step once in a while and get straight to that nectar-like juice? Try this watermelon-cucumber cooler; the watermelon’s sweetness is balanced by a hearty splash of lime juice and a glug of vodka.

Bonus: It packs a lycopene punch. Yep, the substance most often associated with tomatoes (and reduced cancer risks) is also in watermelon.

Everyone should drink to that!

Watermelon-Cucumber Cooler
From Martha Stewart
Serves 8

5 cups cubed seedless watermelon (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 large English cucumber, peeled and cut into chunks
1/4 cup fresh lime juice (from 2 limes)
2 tablespoons honey
2/3 cup vodka
Ice
Cucumber slices, for garnish

Set a large fine-mesh sieve over a large bowl or pitcher. In a food processor or blender, puree watermelon. Pour watermelon puree through sieve, pressing on solids with a rubber spatula (you should have about 2 cups juice).

Puree English cucumber and pour through sieve into watermelon juice. In a small bowl or measuring cup, stir together lime juice and honey. Add to watermelon and cucumber juices, along with vodka. Adjust sweetness with more honey if desired. To serve, fill four glasses with ice and top each with cocktail. Garnish with cucumber slices.

For more summer cocktails, visit Martha Stewart.

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