Watermelon with Gin

Watermelon with Gin

Serves 6–8 as a refreshing first course or a light dessert

It’s almost too easy! The gin does something magical to the flavour of the watermelon, and may be saved for later use in a fruit punch. And the pretty colour just says Christmas.

1 small watermelon

1 cup gin

mint leaves, to decorate

Cut the watermelon in half, remove the seeds, and scoop out balls of the firm flesh with a melon-baller. If you don’t have a melon-baller, cut the flesh into bite-sized cubes.

Pour the gin over the watermelon balls in a bowl, mix lightly, cover with plastic wrap and leave to marinate for several hours in the refrigerator.

At serving time, drain the watermelon well, arrange the balls in chilled glasses, and decorate with fresh mint leaves.

TIPS Look for seedless melons to make this dish easier to prepare.

To take this treat on a picnic, keep the melon balls in a plastic container stored on ice in an esky. This is a welcome dish on a hot summery day. Make a separate container of watermelon with mint for children.