A couple of weeks ago, we celebrated one of the greatest holidays of them all in Mother’s Day. I was raised by a wonderful mother and now my children are blessed to have the same. For all that we put our mothers through in our lifetime, they deserve to be catered to whether it is a holiday or not. Pour your wife, mother or girl a tall glass of this, tell her how much you appreciate her and give her the day off for a change.

I enjoy beer but my wife does not. She is more a fan of meads and cocktails. If you live in Florida like I do, the temperatures are beginning to get to the near blazing stage. The last thing that you want when you are standing in front of a grill socializing is a drink that is heavy or warm. This simple and refreshing cocktail can be made well in advance and the non-alcohol version works as well as the fully leaded one.

Here’s what you will need

2 cups fresh watermelon juice

1 lime with the skin and pith removed

1/2 cup tequila or vodka (optional)

1/8 to 1/2 cup simple syrup (to taste)

3 Tablespoons of triple sec (optional)

Fresh mint for garnish (optional)

I was lazy and picked out pre-cut seedless watermelon from my neighborhood grocery store. You can get a lot more for your money if you are willing to purchase the entire fruit and process it yourself. Cut off the rind, use what you need for this cocktail and store the remainder for another use. Watermelon juice is something you could freeze and it will be good as new at a later date.

Place the watermelon and lime (skin and white pith removed) in a blender and process until you have a smooth liquid. In a pitcher, place all of your ingredients (excluding the simple syrup) and mix to combine. Taste the mixture and judge how much simple syrup you think it needs. Place in the refrigerator and chill for at least an hour or overnight. To serve, fill a cup with ice, pour in the mixture and garnish with a fresh mint sprig. The mint makes a nice presentation, but don’t worry if you don’t have any. I didn’t have any in my fridge so feel free to omit this step.

As you stand in front of your grill this summer, be grateful you had a mother and give her a call sometime. You could use that opportunity to apologize for what you put her through in your teens.

Stay hydrated my friends.