PARTY WATERMELON KEG Summer and watermelons go hand in hand. A watermelon keg is a fun way to serve up your favourite fruity elixir, and always a party winner – exactly what your next poolside gathering needs. 1.25 litres (42 fl oz/5 cups) watermelon juice (from the watermelon keg) 125 ml (4 fl oz/1/2 cup) lychee liqueur 250 ml (81/2 fl oz/1 cup) vodka 1 cup ice cubes
WATERMELON KEG 1 large seedless watermelon 1 plastic tap, with rubber washer ring and lock bolt
SERVES
4-6
To make the watermelon keg, use a large sharp knife to trim some of the skin off the bottom end of the watermelon, to flatten the base so that it can sit upright. Now cut off the top of the melon, just like you would carve a pumpkin, and keep the top as a lid. Scoop all the watermelon flesh out, and set aside in a large bowl. Using a small sharp knife or an apple corer, make a hole near the bottom of the melon. Make sure the hole is a little bit smaller than the coupling of your tap for a tight fit, so it doesn’t leak. Then secure the tap through the hole and fasten tightly. Test the tap by filling the melon with water to ensure there is no leakage. If there is, wrap the thread of the tap with plastic wrap until it is nice and tight through the melon hole. Discard any seeds from the reserved watermelon flesh, then juice using a blender. Pour the juice through a strainer into a jug and chill in the refrigerator until needed. When ready to serve, add the watermelon juice, lychee liqueur, vodka and ice cubes to the melon keg, stirring to mix well. Pour the cocktails straight out of the watermelon keg, into your cocktail glasses. Refill the keg with more cocktail mix whenever it is empty. Discard the watermelon once the party is over.
HOT TIPS • It’s important to strain the watermelon juice through a sieve to get rid of solids so the tap doesn’t get bunged up. • If the watermelon juice runs out, just add whatever you have in the fridge that keeps the party going.
DRINKS 190