Watermelon-Cucumber Cooler (a.k.a. Cousin Combo)

Ingredients:
Serves 4

Watermelon leans into its vegetable side when it’s combined with cucumber, one of its vining cucurbit “cousins.” Here the two cousins blend their complemental vegetal flavors in an iced cooler that can be made with or without gin.

If you opt to add gin, Hendrick’s Gin – which is infused with cucumber and rose petals – works especially well.

5 cups cubed, seedless watermelon (about 1 ½ pounds)

1 long English cucumber, peeled and cut into chunks

¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice (about the juice of 2 limes)

2 tablespoons honey (or agave)

A pinch of salt

2/3 cups gin (optional)

Preparation:
Place pieces of watermelon and chunks of cucumber in a blender and puree until liquified. (You might need to do this in several batches.) Place a fine sieve over a large bowl or pitcher, add the puree, and press gently to extract as much juice as possible.

In a small bowl, mix the lime juice, honey, and salt. Stir the mixture into the watermelon and cucumber juice. Taste and add more honey or salt if desired. Stir in the gin, if using. Serve over ice.