Grilled Watermelon Margarita with Chili-Lime Salt

Grill the watermelon cubes on a hot, oiled grill for 2 minutes per side until lightly charred, then let them cool.

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 4 cups cubed seedless watermelon
• 2 oz fresh lime juice
• 6 oz blanco tequila
• 3 oz orange liqueur
• 1 oz agave syrup
• 1 tablespoon flaky salt
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon lime zest
• Ice cubes
• Lime wheels and watermelon wedges, for garnish

Instructions

1. Grill the watermelon cubes on a hot, oiled grill for 2 minutes per side until lightly charred, then let them cool.
2. Blend the grilled watermelon until smooth and strain out the pulp for a clean juice.
3. Stir the flaky salt with the chili powder and lime zest, then spread it on a small plate.
4. Rub a lime wedge around the rims of four glasses and dip them into the chili-lime salt.
5. Add the watermelon juice, lime juice, tequila, orange liqueur and agave to a shaker with ice.
6. Shake hard until well chilled and frosty on the outside.
7. Strain into the salt-rimmed glasses over fresh ice and garnish with lime wheels and small watermelon wedges.
8. The margarita is Mexico's most iconic cocktail, and swapping in fire-charred watermelon adds a smoky-sweet depth that tastes like high summer. Rimmed with chili-lime salt in the spirit of Mexican street snacks, it is a refreshing, crowd-pleasing pour for a hot Fourth of July evening on the patio.

Nutrition (estimated, per serving)

• Calories: 220 kcal
• Protein: 1g
• Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 18g
• Sodium: 290mg