The drink · August

North Park Cooler

One drink. Make it as long as watermelon is around.

Keep

Sparkling mineral water
Ice
½ lime

August adds

1 cup watermelon, roughly torn into chunks
4–5 basil leaves

Method

Squeeze or press watermelon chunks through a fine-mesh strainer — or blend briefly and strain. Fill a rocks glass with ice. Add watermelon juice and a squeeze of lime. Slap the basil once between your palms, drop it in. Top with sparkling water.

Try another way

Add a few thin jalapeño rounds If you want heat with the sweet.

A squeeze more lime If the watermelon is very sweet.

Use nectarine juice instead of watermelon If you have an overripe nectarine.

Add more sparkling water If you want something lighter.