WATERMELON COOLER COCKTAILS (Saveur magazine)

1 8-lb. watermelon, flesh cut into 1″ cubes
¼ cup sugar
1 Scotch bonnet pepper, halved (this chile is very similar to a habanero, except it’s smaller. Can substitute habañero OR Serrano chilies (use twice as many) OR jalapeno peppers (use twice as many)
½ cup lime juice
2 cups silver tequila

Separate ¼ of the watermelon cubes and freeze.

Purée the remaining watermelon and strain; you should have about 8 cups juice.

Boil sugar and ¼ cup water in a 1-qt. saucepan until sugar is dissolved.

Add Scotch bonnet or jalapeno pepper halves and let syrup cool.

Strain into a pitcher. Stir in watermelon juice and frozen cubes, lime juice, and tequila.

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