For those of us who haven't exactly gotten around to fine-tuning our cooking skills, deciding what to bring to a BBQ can be a real stressor — not quite the summertime-and-the-living-is-easy vibe we're after. Hey, that's why we're guilty of always calling dibs on supplying paper plates or a bottle of booze. While there's nothing wrong with that, we've got a more fun idea: Channel your crafty side and DIY the ultimate watermelon keg.
The final result is totally Instagrammable, requires less skill than carving a pumpkin, and lightly infuses the Malibu rum concoction you'll serve in it with extra flavor. Really, once you commit, the hardest part is picking a double-digit-Like-worthy filter.
Watermelon Keg With Watermelon Mojito
The Keg What You'll Need
1 watermelon
Sharp knife, drill, and/or apple corer
Spigot Instructions
1. Try to find a watermelon with a stable base, so it won’t roll around during prep or the party. Cut off the top the same way you would a pumpkin. Hollow the watermelon by scooping out the fruit (save it along with any juice!). 2. Choose a spot for the spigot about one-quarter of the way up from the base of the watermelon. Make sure there's enough room underneath for a glass to stand, but don’t position the hole too high because any liquid below the spigot won’t flow out. 3. To make the spigot hole, use a sharp knife or drill to create a small incision. Slowly widen the hole with a knife or apple corer. The spigot should fit snuggly into the hole, so measure as you go, and as soon as the spigot fits, stop cutting. 4. Test your keg by pouring a little water into the watermelon to see if the liquid flows properly. Once you’re set, pour out the water, pat the inside of the watermelon dry, and place it in the fridge. The Mojito
Serves 4 Ingredients
Sugar in the raw (or light-brown sugar)
1 cup loosely packed mint leaves
1 watermelon (use your leftover fruit and juice)
3/4 cup lime juice
2 cups Malibu rum Instructions
1. Place sugar and mint leaves in a heatproof container, and pour 2 cups of boiling water over them. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Set aside and allow mint to steep for 5–30 minutes. 2. In a blender, mix freshly scooped-out watermelon fruit and juice with lime juice. If time allows, pour about 1 cup of the watermelon mixture into ice trays and freeze. These watermelon ice cubes will help keep your keg chilled. 3. Stir together watermelon puree, mint syrup, and rum. Refrigerate mixture. If you’ve made watermelon ice cubes, add them to the keg just before serving.
Watermelon Keg With Watermelon Mojito
The Keg What You'll Need
1 watermelon
Sharp knife, drill, and/or apple corer
Spigot Instructions
1. Try to find a watermelon with a stable base, so it won’t roll around during prep or the party. Cut off the top the same way you would a pumpkin. Hollow the watermelon by scooping out the fruit (save it along with any juice!). 2. Choose a spot for the spigot about one-quarter of the way up from the base of the watermelon. Make sure there's enough room underneath for a glass to stand, but don’t position the hole too high because any liquid below the spigot won’t flow out. 3. To make the spigot hole, use a sharp knife or drill to create a small incision. Slowly widen the hole with a knife or apple corer. The spigot should fit snuggly into the hole, so measure as you go, and as soon as the spigot fits, stop cutting. 4. Test your keg by pouring a little water into the watermelon to see if the liquid flows properly. Once you’re set, pour out the water, pat the inside of the watermelon dry, and place it in the fridge. The Mojito
Serves 4 Ingredients
Sugar in the raw (or light-brown sugar)
1 cup loosely packed mint leaves
1 watermelon (use your leftover fruit and juice)
3/4 cup lime juice
2 cups Malibu rum Instructions
1. Place sugar and mint leaves in a heatproof container, and pour 2 cups of boiling water over them. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Set aside and allow mint to steep for 5–30 minutes. 2. In a blender, mix freshly scooped-out watermelon fruit and juice with lime juice. If time allows, pour about 1 cup of the watermelon mixture into ice trays and freeze. These watermelon ice cubes will help keep your keg chilled. 3. Stir together watermelon puree, mint syrup, and rum. Refrigerate mixture. If you’ve made watermelon ice cubes, add them to the keg just before serving.