This pitcher drink pairs hydrating watermelon with the delicate fennel-and-herb flavor of Peychaud's bitters. "The watermelon and lime in this deceptively simple cocktail pair perfectly with the sea salt left on your lips from a long day at the beach," says Stephanie Andrews of Billy Sunday in Chicago. You can buy high-quality watermelon juice, such as Evolution Fresh, from the refrigerated section of your grocery store, or use a blender to make quick work of seedless watermelon chunks. Just process about 3 cups of melon until smooth, and pour through a fine wire-mesh strainer before measuring.
“Reprinted with permission from Batch Cocktails: Make-Ahead Pitcher Drinks for Every Occasion by Maggie Hoffman, copyright © 2019. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House.”
How to Make It
Combine watermelon juice, chilled rum, chilled simple syrup, lime juice, and bitters in a 2-quart pitcher; stir to combine. If not serving immediately, seal well with plastic wrap, and refrigerate up to 2 hours.
To serve, stir watermelon mixture well. Fill pitcher with ice, and stir gently until outside of pitcher is cool. Pour into rocks glasses filled with ice, and garnish each glass with a lime wheel, mint sprig, and small watermelon slice.