This watermelon mint cooler is light, refreshing, and easy to make for a warm summer day. I paired mine with simple frozen watermelon dog treats for Poppy—one for me and one for her!
Watermelon Mint Cooler
Ingredients
- Fresh watermelon cubes, enough to fill a cocktail shaker about ¾ full
- Juice of ½ lime
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 4 fresh mint leaves, torn
- Ice
- Sparkling water, for topping
- Watermelon balls and fresh mint for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Add the watermelon cubes, lime juice, simple syrup, and torn mint leaves to a cocktail shaker.
- Muddle until the watermelon releases its juice and the mint becomes fragrant.
- Add ice, close the shaker, and shake vigorously.
- Strain into a tall glass filled with fresh ice.
- Top with sparkling water and garnish as desired.
Cocktail Option
For a cocktail version, add 1½ ounces of vodka to the shaker before adding the ice. Follow the remaining directions as written, then use slightly less sparkling water when topping the drink. White rum may also be substituted for the vodka for a sweeter, more tropical flavor.
Frozen Watermelon Dog Treats
Ingredients
- 1½ cups seedless watermelon chunks, with the rind removed
- ⅔ cup plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt
Instructions
- Add the watermelon chunks and Greek yogurt to a blender.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the mixture into silicone paw-print or bone-shaped treat molds.
- Freeze until completely solid, about 3–4 hours.
- Remove the treats from the molds and store them in a freezer-safe container.
Serve as an occasional frozen treat in a portion appropriate for your dog.
Dog-Safety Note
Use only plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt with no artificial sweeteners, and always check the label to ensure it does not contain xylitol. Remove all watermelon seeds and rind before blending. Introduce yogurt in a small amount if your dog is sensitive to dairy.
What I Used
- Tall cocktail glasses
- Cocktail shaker with built in strainer
- Muddler
- Silicone paw-and-bone treat molds
- Cocktail picks
