6 Spots Putting a New Spin on Watermelon
Watermelon doesn't usually inspire much imagination. You buy it, slice it, eat it, repeat.
Turns out that local chefs, brewers and bartenders have other ideas.
From salads and seafood to craft cocktails and beer, here's where we found some of the season's more creative takes.
Watermelon Salad at Gold
Gold's Watermelon Salad pairs Tajín-spiced watermelon with local greens, roasted sweet corn, cucumber, fresh basil, feta and a bright citrus vinaigrette. We ordered it this week, and it absolutely delivered…sweet, salty, spicy and refreshing all at once.
Watermelon & Octopus Crudo at Electra's
Watermelon takes a decidedly more sophisticated turn at Electra's, where it shares the plate with charred, chili-and-lime-marinated octopus. The dish layers in cucumber, pickled red onion, pistachios, mint, cotija cheese, Tajín tortilla chips and chipotle emulsions. It's a reminder that watermelon isn't just a sweet fruit…it also happens to be an excellent partner for salt, spice and acidity.
“Very Bad Kids” at Devil Takes a Holiday
If your favorite childhood candy grew up and had a rebellious phase, this would probably be it. Very Bad Kids blends vodka, sour watermelon, Velvet Falernum, agave, saline and egg white. Bonus points for the name, which it turns out is inspired by the French translation of “Sour Patch Kids.”
Indy Watermelon Gose at Foam Brewers
Every summer, Foam brings back Indy, its once-a-year Watermelon Gose, conditioned on 300 pounds of fresh watermelon. The result is a light, tart beer with a refreshing salty finish that's become something of a seasonal tradition. Foam describes it as one of its favorite summer releases…and notes that it never lasts long. (We recommend checking availability before making a special trip.)
Watermelon Mint Vodka Craft Cocktail at Switchback Brewing
If you'd rather take watermelon with you, this canned cocktail is an easy option. Made in Burlington, it combines watermelon, mint and vodka into a crisp, refreshing drink that's equally at home on the patio, at the beach or tucked into a cooler for a weekend outing.
La Bruja at Santiago's Cuban Cuisine
Not drinking? Santiago's has one of the more interesting alcohol-free options we've seen this summer. La Bruja blends watermelon, jalapeño, raspberry, honey and lime, finished with soda water and a chipotle-salt rim. It's bright, refreshing and just spicy enough to keep things interesting.
We're all for a slice of watermelon from the fridge or the farmers market. But after this little tour, we may just never look at it quite the same way again.
