Watermelon Refresher with Black Lime & Magic Salt

Serves 2.

Watermelon must be the absolute essence of summer. Here, its beautiful color and sweet flavor make a restorative drink. A touch of Omani black lime, with its intense citrus aroma, balances the sweetness of the watermelon. If you’re working in the yard, enjoy a glass without the tequila. If your chores are finished, go ahead, add some tequila and make it a cocktail!  

2 cups watermelon pieces, cold

½ cup ice
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (from half a lime)
1 whole black lime
Magic Salt

Set aside one small chunk of watermelon. Put the remaining watermelon pieces into the jar of a blender, add the ice, and buzz until smoothly slushy. Grate* about 1/2 teaspoon of whole black lime directly over the watermelon juice; stir through. 

Place the Magic Salt in a small dish. Moisten the rim of two collins glasses using the reserved piece of watermelon, then dip the rims in the Magic Salt. Fill the glasses with ice, pour in the watermelon juice. Serve as is or gently stir in 1 ounce tequila. Garnish with a grating of black lime and serve with a straw.

*Use a fine-toothed Microplane or nutmeg grater — or crush the lime, then grind to a powder in a coffee grinder. We prefer the flavor of whole black limes for this recipe, but you can substitute black lime powder in a pinch.  Simply skip the processing and add a scant 1/2 teaspoon directly to the watermelon juice.