Bartending legend Dale DeGroff keeps it simple with his watermelon cooler, which is a supereasy combination of sauvignon blanc, St-Germain, watermelon juice, and a small dose of agave syrup. With an ABV that’s below that of the average glass of wine, it’s a prime candidate for daytime drinking.
— Drew Lazor
Recipe: Dale DeGroff, New York, New York
Glass: COLLINS
Garnish: CUCUMBER RIBBON, LIME WHEEL
ON-DEMAND: Listen to Faith talk with Drew about Dale DeGroff’s recipe.
Excerpted from Session Cocktails: Low-Alcohol Drinks for Any Occasion by Drew Lazor and the Editors of PUNCH. Copyright ©2018 by Ten Speed Press, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. Photos copyright ©2018 Lizzie Monro.
- 3 ounces sauvignon blavc
- 2 ounces fresh watermelon juice
- 1/2 ounce elderflower liqueur (preferably St-Germain)
- 1 teaspoon agave syrup (see recipe note)
- Pour all the ingredients into a collins glass filled with ice, then garnish with the cucumber ribbon and lime wheel.
TO MAKE THE AGAVE SYRUP: Put ½ cup agave nectar and ¼ cup hot water in a heatproof container and stir to combine. Let cool completely before storing in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
