At the end of a long, hot day, I look forward to kicking back with a cool, refreshing drink.  Sometimes I don't really want to play around with making it, as fun as that can be; I just want to get to it straight away.   This recipe is the ticket.  It can be ready within 10 minutes! Simply blend the ingredients and you’re good to go.

What do I love about this recipe? It’s:

• sugar-free! That’s right, no simple syrups or any added sugar - just fruit!

• super quick and easy - very little effort is required to make this special drink, and it’s ready within 10 minutes

• full of fun summertime flavor - the lavender brings a fresh herbal note to the typical watermelon drink

• great as a cocktail or mocktail - kids and adults love it!

• it’s completely plant-based, with only ice and rum (if using) added to fruit and herb

With just three ingredients that are likely somewhere around your house on a summer day, you can be transported to a calming, refreshing place with this drink.  Yep, it's just that powerful.  Ok, there are five ingredients if you count the ice and rum.  As good as it is with the rum, though, it's still possible to achieve a zen state while drinking this without it.  Really.  The surprisingly complex flavor sensation is -(sigh)- dreamy.

The three superstar ingredients are simply:

• lavender

• watermelon

• lime

I have to confess:  I am not a huge watermelon fan.  I know - how can that be?!  The epitome of summer fruit!  Well, I'm not saying I dislike it.  I just don't choose to eat it by itself.  For some reason, melon hasn't been my thing.  I would like to like it, and I am open to the possibility of that changing, but it's the way it's been.  I have watermelon around for the kids, husband, and gatherings, but not for me.

But this.  This may change everything.  I am really loving fresh watermelon in drink form.  And with the lavender - I'm not really sure what made me think lavender and watermelon would go well together.  I've never had them together before.  But it's a match made in heaven!  

Hold the rum, and you have a fantastic virgin daiquiri.  Kids often love having such a "fancy drink" - and those three simple ingredients make it seem fancy.  I don't always feel the need to add the rum myself.  The flavors stand on their own quite nicely.  

Picture this drink at your next brunch or evening gathering. Mmmm. Can I join you?

This recipe works well for popsicles too, by the way.  Yay!

And remember, serve it in the watermelon for fun.  I mean, it's right there begging you include it in the fun!

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Tips:

• Wanna keep it non-alcoholic? Go for it - this drink is delicious with or without the rum!

• Keep the flavors around longer by pouring the blended ingredients into popsicle molds and freezing them for the next hot day!

• Add more ice for more of a blended drink.

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LAVENDER WATERMELON DAIQUIRI

recipe

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RAW • VEGAN • WFPB • REFINED SUGAR-FREE • 15 MINUTES OR LESS

 

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SERVES 4

TIME REQUIRED: 10 minutes or less
TOOLS: blender

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Note:  More ice can be added for more of a blended drink.  Just keep in mind that the flavor will be diluted a bit with more ice.  On the plus side, your drink will be bigger!

PRINT RECIPE

ingredients

• 2 cups seedless watermelon, roughly chopped or scooped

• zest of one lime (a teaspoon+)

• juice of one lime (about 3 tablespoons)

• a sprig of lavender, chopped (about a teaspoon)

• 1 cup of ice

• 4 -8 oz rum, depending on how strong you want your drinks (omit for a virgin daiquiri)

  Garnish ideas: lime wedge, watermelon ball, lavender sprig

steps

1. Place all the ingredients except rum in a blender. Blend on high until just blended.

2. Add the rum if using, and blend on low just to stir.

3. Strain (or simply pour) into four glasses, garnish if desired, kick back, and enjoy! Or serve out of the hollowed watermelon for extra kicks.

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