Milo is in the throes of teething (cutting two uppers as I write this) and what could be more soothing than cold watermelon chunks or, for parental soothing, a watermelon martini? He doesn't like any of the traditional teethers, frozen wash cloths, or my finger rubbing his gums. On occasion we've used teething tablets, but we've found that any kind of really cold produce does the trick.
I start by picking up a fresh local watermelon from the farmer's market. I cut it in half lengthwise and use a melon baller to ball it into bite sized portions. You're in luck if it's a seedless watermelon, but if not, take the seeds out before giving it to your child. Pay close attention to the next step because of choking. After I ball it up, I put a piece into a mesh fresh food feeder. This allows Milo to feel the cold on his mouth, and chew on the fruit without choking on it. The alternative to balling it would be just cutting it into small kid sized chunks.
For the martinis, we juiced about a cup and a half of balled melon in the blender. Make sure the top is securely fastened to the blender or you'll be cleaning a sticky mess instead of enjoying your cocktail. In a martini shaker we added ice, vodka, and the watermelon juice. Shake, shake, shake, and then pour into a glass of your choice. Adding a little mint garnish gives the martini an extra fresh flavor. We thought it was plenty sweet, but a little simple syrup would do the trick if you don't think so. Cheers!
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