The boy and his poison: The Watermelon Cooler

Let's face it, we're approaching the levels of heat succinctly observed by Ray Winstone in Sexy Beast. I'm sure there's lots of validity to the seasonal advice of keeping hydrated and suitably smeared in Factor 40 but Doctor Nick would like to also submit his own tip re: sun management this month… a water melon cooler.

Now, usually I'm a fan of brutally short punchy cocktails but as refreshing long drinks go this one is nigh on perfect. Easy to make in bulk with the sweet taste of watermelon and adult notes of the cucumber, this drink is a no brainer for summer. It's a versatile little number that could just as easily suck up a few shots of vodka or better still a cucumber-based gin like Hendrick's or its cheaper neighbour Gordon's Crisp Cucumber. However, it's summer, and if you're going to have a long sun-downer nothing works better as a spirit than tequila.

Incidentally the seed of this drink came from the adorable reformed-convict we'd all love to be our mum Martha Stewart, so lets all take a Friday moment to enjoy Martha and the cookie monster. 

For two lushes you'll need:

• 100ml plus a cheeky tot extra of reposado tequila (or any white spirit other than rum)
• 1/2 a cucumber
• 400g roughly chopped watermelon (just less than half a supermarket one)
• Juice of 1 lime
• A squeeze of agave nectar (or honey)

Make the base:

• With a vegetable peeler peel several long strips of cucumber and set aside
• Remove the remainder of the skin and chop the flesh roughly
• Chop the watermelon flesh removing as many seeds as possible
• Add the cucumber and melon to a blender
• Blend and sieve into a cocktail shaker.

Now shake:

• Add the lime juice and tequila
• Chuck in a handful of ice and shake for 10 seconds
• Line a small tumbler with the fine cucumber peel
• Strain the shakers contents into the glass