Watermelon Basket

I made this for a BBQ this summer and it was a huge hit. Probably the easiest watermelon carving you can make is a basket and I usually have margarita ingredients on-hand so this was a no-brainer.

Ingredients

• 1 seedless watermelon
• 2/3 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
• 1/3 cup orange liquor
• 1/2 cup tequila
• Salt, to taste

Directions

Find the ground spot on the watermelon and cut off a very small slice on that side so the watermelon sits flat. Cut off the top 1/4 of the watermelon about an inch from the stem line and use a melon baller to ball out the fruit, placing them in a large bowl. Do the same on the other side, leaving a 1-inch strip down the center which will serve as the handle for the basket.

Ball out the entire melon with a melon baller, leaving about 3 inches on the bottom and place them in the bowl with the other melon balls.

Pour the lime juice, orange liquor and tequila over the watermelon balls and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to overnight, tossing occasionally. (Wrap the watermelon “basket” in plastic wrap and store in the fridge if you’re soaking the watermelon balls overnight).

To serve, place margarita-soaked watermelon balls inside the watermelon basket and garnish with a bit of salt.