Celebrate National Watermelon Day With a DIY Watermelon Keg and Pinot Grigio

If summer could have a mascot, it would be the watermelon. That’s why August 3 is recognized as National Watermelon Day. What better way to celebrate its mouthwatering flavor than with friends and your own DIY Watermelon Keg. Whether you are hosting a barbeque, enjoying a picnic, or just lounging by the pool, you’ll make a splash and have a blast while cheering one another and the best fruit of summer. Infusion is the best way to salute this fruit!

What You’ll Need to Make the Watermelon Keg:

• Large watermelon (the longer and thinner, the better)
• Large sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Ice cream scoop
• Small knife/apple corer
• Spigot

How to Make It:

1. Wash the watermelon of any dirt.
2. Cut about an inch off of each watermelon end.
3. One flat end will become the base, holding the watermelon upright, and the other will be the opening at the top. Save the top piece for later.
4. With an ice cream scoop, remove the insides of the watermelon from the top side, placing the pieces in a bowl for use in the cocktail and for snacking.
5. After removing the inside of the watermelon, scrape the inside walls of any remaining pink to make more room for your drink.
6. Don’t scoop all of the fruit out, you’ll need some at the bottom so it won’t leak.
7. Once you’ve hollowed out the inside, find the best-looking side of the watermelon and face it forward. This is the spot you want to place your spigot. Drill a small hole 2 to 3 inches above the bottom of the watermelon with an apple corer or a small knife.
8. Insert the spigot. Be sure it fits tight and secure. (Try fastening a nut to the spigot on the inside of the watermelon to ensure it stays in place.)

Want a suggestion on what to do with all that extra scraped out watermelon?

Make watermelon cocktails the following day, of course.

What You’ll Need:

• 2 cups watermelon
• 2 bottles Pinot Grigio
• 1 cup vodka
• 1/2 cup orange liqueur
• 1 cup simple syrup
• Ice

Recipe for the Watermelon Cocktail:

1. In a blender, puree 2 cups of watermelon.
2. Strain out the pulp.
3. Add Sutter Home Pinot Grigio, orange liqueur, and simple syrup, stir until mixed.
4. Add ice to glass.
5. Garnish with leftover watermelon scoops.
6. Enjoy.