Hi y’all! I’m Penny (not my real name but I’ve loved it since watching Inspector Gadget as a kid and it seems fitting here!), I’m late 30s, married, and have two very spoiled cats, one of which is my avatar - affectionately referred to as, “The Turd”. I have been a lurker here, and the other forum for quite a while so I feel as if I already know you all. I’m SUPER shy but taking a leap of faith today to get out of my comfort zone and hopefully make some new friends. I think I’ve rewritten this post in my head a dozen times over the past few months!
I have been in the Food & Beverage industry for my entire adult life and love it even if it doesn’t pay much; I’m definitely in it for the passion, and ok, maybe the free food. I’m currently taking a personal leave of absence due to stress and anxiety over Covid-19 and thinking about a pivot into a different career role, maybe food science. If anyone has changed careers later in life, I’d love some words of encouragement on that front! I may start a journal soon for accountability, although fair warning, it will probably devolve into nothing more than food, cocktails, and cats. :
Aww, thanks so much for the warm welcome. You guys are awesome! Watermelon cocktails and mocktails for all!! (No, really, it was a 20lb watermelon…help! lol)
2oz Tequila Reposado (blanco is fine too!)
1oz Cointreau (or whatever triple-sec you’ve got )
1oz Lime juice
(.25oz agave nectar - optional)
dash of salt (even if you don’t salt the rim)
Hard shake everything together with ice and pour into your glass of choice - I like a rocks glass with a salted rim for a regular margarita but you’ll need a slightly bigger glass if doing a modified version.
For the Watermelon variation I just added 2oz of watermelon puree. I had a very sweet one so you’ll probably want to add a little agave or simple syrup if you have one that isn’t very ripe. I also added a half of a serrano pepper for spiciness, I LOVE sweet and spicy together! If you don’t have watermelon a tsp of berry jam is a super delicious addition!
Muddle a good size sprig of mint with a couple slices of lime and .5oz simple syrup (maybe even muddle a little cucumber if you’ve got it on hand to up the flavor)
add 3oz watermelon puree and ice, top with fizzy water or even ginger beer!
ETA: I forgot to answer your question! If you wanted something margarita-ish - I would start with a salted glass and add 2oz watermelon, 1oz lime juice, dash of salt, ice, top with fizzy water and then garnish an orange twist.
Right??? So many of us are non drinkers, but enjoy that cocktail flair (and not over the top sweetness). A provider of exceptional mocktail recipes is MOST welcome around here.
My absolute favorite mocktail is pineapple + ginger ale. Dead simple but delicious. It feels festive and punchy and you can layer it with cranberry for a fun sunset effect. I make these all the time for customers and it seems to go over really well!
I’m currently taking a personal leave of absence due to stress and anxiety over Covid-19 and thinking about a pivot into a different career role, maybe food science. If anyone has changed careers later in life, I’d love some words of encouragement on that front! I may start a journal soon for accountability, although fair warning, it will probably devolve into nothing more than food, cocktails, and cats. 
: 
(Although quitting jobs and changing careers has been trending lately too.)
these are a few of my favorite things 
