Drink of the Week: Confederados Cocktail

August 22, 2014

Photo: Justen Clay

When it comes to drinking seasonally, summer is our favorite time of year. One of our favorite flavors of the season? Melon. The inherent sweetness of melons means little or no extra sugar is needed to mix a balanced drink, while their juiciness lends enough liquid to level out high-proof spirits. We highlight three favorite melon recipes in our July/Aug issue, and today’s Drink of the Week—the Confederados cocktail from The Pinewood Tippling Room in Decatur, Georgia—is another gem. In it, cachaça and fresh lime combine with a sweet-tart watermelon shrub for an easy-to-mix drink that’s ripe with summery flavors.

Confederados

1/2 fresh lime (cut into 4 wedges)

2 oz. cachaça

1 oz. watermelon shrub

Tools: muddler, shaker, strainer, fine strainer

Glass: cocktail

Garnish: pickled watermelon rind (optional)

Muddle the lime wedges in a shaker tin/glass. Add the remaining ingredients, shake with ice and fine-strain into a chilled glass. Garnish, if using.

Watermelon Shrub: Combine 1 cup of fresh watermelon purée, 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1/2 cup of white balsamic vinegar in a large jar. Cover and shake to combine. Let sit overnight, then fine-strain. Keep refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.