Chef’s Handyman, Watermelon drink

Watermelons from my grandpa’s fountain

My grandpa had a water fountain in the garden, where he cooled wine bottles and watermelons. It was a natural fridge outside the house. A perfect place for garden parties to keep the bottles cool and fresh. When we were there, he ordered lots of watermelons as dessert or snack for us kids. After his nap, he showed us every day the huge basket filled with the melons. The basket was protected by a thick rope. With the rope winch he brought the filled basket from the bottom up to the daylight. Then he knocked on the surface of each melon to check which of them might have the right texture to be served. That was the point, where we children thought, that watermelons grow in the fountain of my grandpa. Years later, my grandpa disclosed the secret.

Watermelon drink – cool & refreshing

For the drink, peel the watermelon, remove the seeds and cut the slices into cubes. Place them into a large pan. Add lemon rind, lemon juice and 1 tsp. of citric acid and for 1 l of liquid 1 cup of sugar. Heat the mixture. Cook on medium heat for 15 minutes. Fill the syrup into bottles. Cool them. When cooled store the syrup in the fridge.

To make the drink, pour watermelon syrup into glasses, add prosecco and mineral water. Garnish with peppermint and lemon slices. The drink, served without prosecco will be perfect for children as well.

Shopping list for 1 l of the syrup: 1 water melon 1.5 kg or 3 lbs. 3 lemons, 1 tbsp. citric acid, 1 cup sugar, 1 bunch fresh peppermint.

Chef’s Handyman, Watermelon drink

Watermelon jam – a recipe from the old Chef’s Handyman blog

Pit the watermelon and cut in pieces. Place watermelon and preserving sugar in a large pan. Add lemon rind, lemon juice and all spice. Cook on medium heat until sugar has been melted.

Mix all ingredients with the hand-held blender. Add rose blossom water. If no rose blossom water is available, substitute with orange juice. When the jam gelatinizes, fill the mixture in the prepared glasses. To test, if the jam is ready to be stored, add 1 tbsp. on a cold plate. The jam should gelatinize. If not, cook for another 4 minutes.

Chef’s Handyman, Watermelon

Prepare preserving glasses as written in the wrapping.

Shopping list for approx. 8-10 small glasses: 2 lemons, 1.5 kg or 3 lb. watermelon,
1 kg or 32 oz. preserving sugar, 1 tbsp. rose blossom water
Spices: 1 tbsp. all spice

Have a great time! Your Chef’s Handyman Team!