Spicy Watermelon Lime Cocktail

Put watermelon, simple syrup, zest and juice of lime in a food processor and process until totally smooth. This should yield around a cup.

In a large pitcher combine watermelon mixture, rum and limeade. Stir well and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

When ready to serve, fill 16-ounce tumblers two-thirds full with ice. Fill with cocktail. Take 1 piece of the jalapeno and stir the mixture with it. Leave in glass as a garnish and serve.

* For the Super Lime Simple Syrup: Combine 1 1/2 cups white sugar, 2/3 cup fresh squeezed lime juice and 1/4 cup water. Over medium-low heat, stir until sugar is dissolved and mixture is not cloudy. Let stand at room temperature for 2 hours (mixture will resemble consistency of maple syrup).

Refrigerate in an airtight container (I use squeezy bottles) for use with all your drinks.

cook's notes

You will be so surprised how having the jalapeno slice in the drink for only a minute or two gives the drink a really cool kick. If you like things spicier, add the jalapenos to the drink mixture while it is refrigerating.

When I thought of adding a kick to this drink, I was thinking of adding some jalapeno juice from canned jalapenos. I didn't have any and actually tried to juice a jalapeno (not my brightest moment). So I stirred it in the first one and left it for about 15 minutes. When I tasted it my lips went numb. The next one I adjusted the time for my taste and it was awesome.

You can also make this a non-alcoholic drink by omitting the rum (and jalapenos if you are serving it to kids). Just add more limeade.