Sandia Stormking

John Watterberg | Brooklyn, New York

At the New Mexican restaurant Santa Fe BK in Brooklyn, the specialty Margarita program is named “The Seven,” with each Margarita corresponding to one of the geopolitical regions in George R. R. Martin’s “Game Of Thrones” series. (Martin is a New Mexico resident.) Sandia Stormking is a tribute to the book, as well as to bartender John Watterberg’s grandfather, whose weather monitoring station in Albuquerque was used to provide storm updates.

Ingredients

Servings: 2

  • 6 ounces watermelon-infused tequila (see Editor’s Note)
  • 6 ounces watermelon-infused tequila (see Editor’s Note)
  • 1 ounce triple sec
  • 1 ounce triple sec
  • 1 heaping teaspoon white sugar
  • 1 heaping teaspoon white sugar
  • 2 pinches mint, or about 10 leaves
  • 2 pinches mint, or about 10 leaves
  • 1/3 lemon, cut into 2 wedges
  • 1/3 lemon, cut into 2 wedges
  • 1 lime, cut into 6 wedges
  • 1 lime, cut into 6 wedges

Garnish: red Chimayo chile salt, mint sprig

Directions
  1. Rim two glasses with red Chimayo chile salt, and add a large ice cube to each.
  2. Add fruit, mint and sugar to a cocktail shaker, then muddle until ingredients are completely pulverized.
  3. Add triple sec and top off with ice.
  4. Add watermelon-infused tequila; it will fill the shaker to the brim.
  5. Shake and strain into the prepared glasses.
  6. Garnish with a mint sprig.
Editor's Note

Watermelon-Infused Tequila
1/4 of a watermelon
1L tequila

Cut the watermelon into small cubes. Place in a large resealable container, and add the tequila. Cover and refrigerate for one week. Strain, then bottle.