The Velvet and Stone Cocktail

By vealam

Ingredients

• 1 bottle of Silver or blanco Tequila
• 1 habanero, cut in half
• 1 small watermelon
• Lime juice
• Simple syrup (1 part sugar and 1 part water, dissolved in a saucepan and cooled)
• Fine sea salt

Preparation

Step 1

1. Place habanero in a bottle of tequila. Marinate for 1 to 2 days. Remove the habanero after 3 days.

2. Remove rind of watermelon, cut watermelon into cubes. Puree cubes in a blender until smooth. In a fine mesh strainer, strain the watermelon pulp. Discard the pulp.

3. Dip rim of glass into lime juice, then into black salt. Set aside.

4. In a cocktail shaker add 2 oz. watermelon juice, 1 1/2 oz of tequila, ¾ oz of lime juice, 2 teaspoons simple syrup and ice. Shake vigorously until well chilled. Strain into glass. Serve with a lime twist.