How to Turn a Watermelon into a Beverage Dispenser
Watermelon's the quintessential summer fruit. In the winter, just the thought of it can put you in mind of dips in the pool, naps in a hammock, and picnics on a lawn. Now when they're in season be sure to take advantage of watermelons, serving them in slices, salads, or in cocktails. For a more creative approach, grab a watermelon and turn it into a drink dispenser and prepare for a lot of oohs and aahs.
Related:A Great Knife for Slicing Melons
What You Need:
1. one large watermelon (the longer and thinner, the better)
2. a large, preferably sharp, knife
3. a cutting board
4. an ice cream scoop
5. a small knife/apple corer
6. a spigot (found cheap on Amazon.com)
Related:9 Melon Recipes You've Got to Try
What To Do:
1. Wash the watermelon of any dirt or grocery store gunk.
2. Cut about 1/3 of an inch off of each watermelon end. One flat end will become the base, holding the watermelon upright, and the other will be the opening at the top.
3. With the ice cream scoop, remove the middle of the watermelon from the top side, placing the chunks in a nearby bowl for snacking, if you please. (Every few minutes of scooping, I poured excess watermelon juice into a separate bowl to save for later use, but mainly to make the scooping easier and to keep my hands from swimming.)
4. After removing the best of the watermelon, scrape the inside walls of any remaining pink to make more room for the drink. Be sure to leave about 2 inches of watermelon at the bottom of the melon so the keg won't leak and the spigot can be inserted.
5. Once the inside is hollow, find the best-looking side of the watermelon and face it forward. This is the side where the spigot will be placed.
6. Drill a small hole 2 to 3 inches above the bottom of the watermelon for the spigot. The hole can be drilled with an apple corer or a small knife. Insert the spigot. Be sure the spigot is tight and secure. (I fastened the nut to the spigot on the inside of the watermelon to ensure it would stay in place.)
7. Fill up the watermelon with any drink your heart desires (party punch, homemade juice, margaritas, sangria, watermelon water, etc.) and drink up!
8. The watermelon lasts about 6 hours without leaking, so keep refilling until the day is done. Then, toss the melon in the trash, and hold on to the spigot for your next keg!
Related:Outdoor Party Decorations for Summer
What I Did:
I made a simple, refreshing concoction to test our watermelon keg. The recipe is fool proof, the taste was irresistible.
I used: fresh watermelon juice, raspberries, lemons,and Ginger Ale .
First, I strained the bowl of watermelon juice I'd been keeping aside while carving the keg. Next, I muddled a handful of raspberries and mixed that into the juice. The Ginger Ale came next, right on top of the raspberry and watermelon mix, and then I topped the keg off with four thick slices of lemon and a handful of raspberries. The keg worked beautifully and the drink was delicious.
Next time you want to do something unique for a get together, don't hesitate in fear that it will require too much effort. This watermelon keg is extremely easy to make, takes up little time, and is the perfect way to impress a crowd while keeping everyone hydrated in the summer sun!
- By Molly Pomroy
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