Necessity Mother Invention

I've been on a flavoring-water-with-melon kick. If I'm whacking up a cucumber for a salad, I filet out the seeds and drop the slimy mess into a glass of icy cold water: instant refresher. A few slices of lemon or a sprig or two of mint bumps up the flavor, and it's even more refreshing. There's a new vendor at my farmers market - they muddle fruit and mint with a bit of sugar, shake it up and top it off with tea or lemonade. Their mojito one - non-alcoholic - is made with lime, mint and cucumber, and completely hits the spot as you meander through the market, fondling the peaches.

Inspired, I muddled up a watermelon cocktail. A fist sized chunk of watermelon, roughly chipped into a tall glass and banged about with a spoon. A good ounce or so of Rose's Lime Juice, an ounce or so of gin, a few ice cubes, and a fill-up with seltzer. If you're fancy, garnish it with a sprig of mint or a twist of lime. And it's just what you want on a sultry summer evening.