While Orlando Franklin McCray uses a centrifuge to clarify the watermelon juice to a transparent, pale-pink state, he recognizes that it’s a piece of equipment few have at home. The drink works with non-clarified juice too, he notes, and will appear “milky pink” once added to the pastis.
Watermelon Pastis
Orlando Franklin McCray, Nightmoves | Brooklyn, NY

Ingredients
Serving: 1
- 1 1/2 ounces pastis, preferably Henri Bardouin
- 6 ounces clarified watermelon juice (see Editor's Note)
Directions
- Serve the pastis in a rocks glass with 2 ice cubes alongside clarified watermelon juice in a separate highball glass.
- Pour the watermelon juice into the pastis until it louches (changes to a cloudy or milky hue).
Editor's Note
The watermelon juice is clarified in a centrifuge and acid adjusted. To acid adjust, mix 4 grams of citric acid per liter of juice. Unclarified watermelon juice will work too.