Watermelon Mint Cooler Recipe

Chill & Juice

Chill the Red Bull Watermelon and sparkling water until very cold. If making fresh watermelon juice: remove rind from a small seedless watermelon chunk (about 1/2 cup chopped), puree in a blender and strain through a fine mesh sieve to yield approximately 3 fl oz (90 ml) of juice.

Measure and zest the lime to get 1/2 teaspoon of zest and 1 ounce (30 ml) of fresh lime juice.

Bruise the Mint

In a small bowl or mixing glass, add the 10 fresh mint leaves and the 1 tablespoon simple syrup. Gently bruise (muddle lightly) the leaves with the back of a spoon or a muddler about 6–8 times to release oils without tearing them to shred. Allow to rest for 2 minutes so the syrup extracts the mint flavor.

Combine Lime Zest

Add the 1/2 teaspoon lime zest and 1 ounce fresh lime juice to the mint-syrup mixture, stir briefly to combine. This is your lime-mint elixir.

Fill a large tall glass (or two smaller glasses) with 1 to 1 1/2 cups crushed ice. Pour the strained watermelon juice over the ice.

Strain the mint-lime elixir through a fine mesh strainer into the glass to remove solids and torn leaves so only flavored syrup and oil go into the drink.

Pour the 6 fl oz of chilled Red Bull Watermelon into the glass, followed by 1.5 cups (about 12 fl oz) of cold sparkling water or club soda. Pour gently to preserve carbonation.

Stir once gently with a bar spoon to combine layers without flattening the soda completely.

Float a small watermelon wedge or a couple of melon balls on top, add a mint sprig and a lime wheel on the rim. Optionally express a lime peel over the drink for extra aroma before dropping it in.

Serve immediately with a straw. Encourage the drinker to stir gently before sipping if the elixir has settled.