5 Ingredients or Fewer

Watermelon Anise Seltzer

by:
June  1, 2011
4.8
4 Ratings
  • Serves 3
Author Notes

The quality of the watermelon used is important. It needs to be ripe and sweet- the kind that releases its aroma as soon as you slice it and the flesh of which seems to dissolve when eating it ( as opposed to the fibrous, light pink and watery varieties). I personally believe that it benefits the fruit if it is well chilled prior to slicing it. If you have a cold brook to lay it in for a while, even better. The rest of the ingredients also should be chilled well, but pay attention to the anise liqueur as it tends to crystalize at too low of a temperature. I am sorry that I am not able to submit along a photo, but the watermelon season is not quite here yet. —Droplet

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 5 cups pureed watermelon
  • 0.75-1 liters Seltzer
  • 1.5 - 3 ounces Anisette or Ouzo
Directions
  1. Chill watermelon and seltzer well. Slice the watermelon, deseed it and puree in a blender enough of the fruit to get 3 cups. To that add 1.5 cup seltzer and strain through not too fine a sieve (optional). Pour the strained juice into a jug for serving or a designated glass bottle. Add the rest of the seltzer and the liqueur to taste. It is present here for the anise flavor and the whiteness it imparts, and not in a ratio that will make it an alcoholic drink.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • QueenSashy
    QueenSashy
  • lapadia
    lapadia
  • wssmom
    wssmom
  • hardlikearmour
    hardlikearmour
  • Droplet
    Droplet

9 Reviews

Joe October 19, 2023
You may substitute anise extract for the anisette
 
QueenSashy January 31, 2013
This is such a lovely recipe I cannot wait until summer to try it out!
 
Droplet February 4, 2013
I hope the wait turns out to be worth it :)
 
lapadia August 22, 2012
Love seltzer any flavor, love this recipe, don't know how I missed it!
 
Droplet August 23, 2012
I am glad you found it right in the middle of watermelon season :)
 
wssmom June 1, 2011
Great combo!
 
Droplet June 2, 2011
:)
 
hardlikearmour June 1, 2011
I love this. One of my favorite ways to eat watermelon is to slice it then sprinkle it with coarsely ground fennel seeds and sea salt. The anise flavor is magic with watermelon!
 
Droplet June 2, 2011
I think they go together well, too. I will try sprinkling the seeds on my watermelon next time. :)