Acapulco Cliff Hanger

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• Servings: 1
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 lemons, washed, finely sliced
• 1 cup seedless watermelon, chunks
• 2 ounces tequila
• 1 ounce lemon simple syrup
• 1 ounce fresh lime juice
• 1 ounce cointreau liqueur
• lime wedge
• soda water (optional) or ginger ale, to top (optional)

Recipe

• 1 make the simple syrup: combine water and sugar in a sauce pan; stir to mix; place over med-high heat to dissolve; as soon as the syrup comes to a rolling boil and is completely clear, remove from heat.
• 2 add in the lemons (keep them submerged by placing a plate on top of them during the infusing process); cover and let steep for 30-40 minutes.
• 3 pour the syrup through a fine sieve, pressing down firmly on the lemons to extract all the juice into the syrup; store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
• 4 make the drink: puree the watermelon in the blender; strain, for about 1/3 cup puree.
• 5 in a tall mixing glass, combine the watermelon puree, tequila, lemon simple syrup, lime juice, and cointreau; stir to mix.
• 6 moisten the rim of the serving glass with a lime wedge and press the rim into spiced salt (combine 1 teaspoon kosher salt, a generous pinch of cayenne pepper, and a small pinch of ground ginger); fill glass with ice.
• 7 strain the puree mixture into the cocktail glass; top with a splash of soda water or ginger ale, if you wish.
• 8 squeeze the lime wedge on top; garnish with small cubes watermelon.