Cool down this summer with a sweet and spicy watermelon and wine slushy

As the mercury rises, quenching our thirst and cooling down becomes a paramount concern. On such sizzling days, what better way than to indulge in a healthy, refreshing, and adult beverage, one that is both flavorful and wholesome? Here, we present a step-by-step guide to prepare this invigorating drink, so you too can combat the high temperatures with panache and good taste.

Ingredients

To craft your homemade watermelon and wine slushy, you'll need to procure the following ingredients. This recipe is scaled to serve six people.

• 20 ice cubes
• 1/2 ripe watermelon
• 250 milliliters of sweet wine
• 3 slices of fresh red chili
• 2 limes
• 4 tablespoons of honey
• Mint leaves (optional)
• 6 cherries in syrup (optional)

Estimated Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Difficulty Level: Easy

Step-By-Step Preparation Guide

Wine Selection

Wine holds an integral part in this recipe, its unique taste and aroma adding a dimension of richness to the slushy. Sweet, generous varieties such as Muscat or Port are highly recommended. Their fragrance and sweetness splendidly counterbalance the chili's spicy undertone, giving the drink a wonderfully layered flavor profile.

Watermelon Selection

Watermelon, the drink's other star, must be chosen with care. We recommend selecting a watermelon with a yellow patch, indicative of ripeness. A hollow sound when tapping its skin is another sign of a perfectly ripe fruit, ready to impart its sweet juice to your slushy.

Preparing the Watermelon and Chili

After peeling and deseeding the watermelon, cut it into small pieces and put them into the blender. When preparing the watermelon, be sure to remove the white rind to maximize the fruit's natural sweetness.

For the chili, remove its seeds to ensure the drink doesn't become overly spicy. Once diced, add the chili pieces into the blender along with the watermelon.

Adding the Liquid Ingredients

Next, squeeze the juice from the two limes into the blender. Add the honey and the sweet wine of your choice and blend until the mixture achieves a smooth consistency.

Incorporating the Ice Cubes

Crush the ice cubes slightly before adding them to the blender. Blend until they're fully integrated into the drink. This step fast-tracks the slushy's preparation time, saving you from a 4 to 6 hour wait in the freezer with periodic stirring.

Serving the Watermelon and Wine Slushy

Once the slushy is prepared, pour it into glasses and serve chilled. Optionally, you can garnish the drink with mint leaves, diced watermelon, or cherries in syrup for an added aesthetic touch and flavor twist.

The next time you feel the overwhelming summer heat bearing down on you, take solace in the fact that a refreshing watermelon and wine slushy is mere minutes away. Prepare yourself for a delightful addiction that not only brings sweet relief from the heat but also enhances your summertime experience with its perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and invigorating flavors.