Summertime bliss in a blender

In the summer when I hear the blender roaring in the kitchen, I know something special is in the works. This spring I decided bring back the pina colada - a Tiki classic. But the summer rolls around and emerald-hued watermelons start beckoning you. Heed their call. Watermelon mint slushies are summer in a frosted glass.

It's that time of year when your skin is hot to the touch from being in the sun all day. Your nose is a little red. A cool evening breeze on bare skin feels like an embrace from mother nature herself. An ice-blended cocktail won't just cool you off. It will refresh your spirit.

Here's my recipe for a watermelon mint slushie:

Ingredients:

• 5 cups of frozen, cubed watermelon
• One handful of fresh peppermint
• One can of lime seltzer water
• Vodka (The amount depends on what kind of day youre having!)

Instructions:

• Toss into a blender and flip the switch 
• Note: If the watermelon isn't very sweet, or if you prefer a sweeter slushie, swap lime seltzer for Sprite, or add simple syrup to taste. And if the peppermint isn't stong enough, add more, or cheat by adding a few drops of peppermint extract to your blender. 
• Add a straw and garnish with a slice of lime, and/or a mint sprig for contrasting color.

This sweet, fizzy, frozen concoction makes me giddy. Since watermelon is rarely good out of season (it ships in from faraway lands and gets old), I always make sure to buy a couple of extra watermelons at the end of the summer. I cut and cube them, then toss into our deep freezer. It helps extend that summer feeling when I need it most.