Maybe one reason Halloween is so popular in Orlando is the temperate weather; if you grew up further North, you remember the bitter defeat of having to throw a winter coat over that Tinkerbell costume before you were allowed to go out trick-or-treating. No such problems here, and also no reason to go all heavy-autumn pumpkin-spice on your party treats either. Keep it light for your Dia de los Muertos pre-parties with a tequila-based watermelon punch.
Spicy Tequila Cup
Directions are for one cocktail, but this drink works well as a large-batch punch if you scale up the recipe. Don’t worry too much about perfect proportions; just mix to taste.
3 ounces watermelon juice
1 serrano or jalapeño pepper
large pinch of smoked salt
1.5 ounces reposado tequila
3 ounces ginger beer or ginger ale
1 lime
To make the juice, puree a cup or so of small watermelon chunks in a blender. Put a strainer over a large bowl or measuring cup and pour the puree in. Press with the back of a spoon to separate all the juice from the pulp.
Muddle two slices of chili pepper and a pinch of smoked salt in a tall glass. Add tequila (aged reposado has a smooth flavor that works well with the smoky salt) and stir, then add ice. Pour in equal amounts of watermelon juice and ginger beer (ginger ale if you like a sweeter drink) and stir gently again. Add a splash of lime juice and garnish with a chili slice or two.
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This article appears in Oct 23-29, 2013.
