You’ve probably seen watermelon rinds filled with Jell-O; our version takes the idea a bit further. Here we use the watermelon juice from the scooped-out watermelon, spike it with a splash of vodka, and give it a sour flavor so it tastes just like your favorite candy. The result is an adult-friendly summer party pleaser.
| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 4 hr 20 min |
| Active: | 20 min |
| Yield: | 10 to 12 servings; makes about 20 wedges |
Ingredients
- 1 mini seedless watermelon (about 5 pounds)
- Two 3-ounce boxes watermelon-flavored gelatin, such as Jell-O
- Three 0.25-ounce packets unflavored gelatin (from one 1-ounce box)
- 1 teaspoon granulated citric acid
- 1 cup (8 ounces) vodka
Instructions
- Using a large chef’s knife, cut the watermelon in half lengthwise through the stem. Trim a small portion from the underside of each half so it can sit on the work surface without wobbling. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet. Scoop out most of the flesh with a large spoon into a medium bowl, leaving about 1/8 inch of flesh above the white part of the rind (this will help the gelatin to adhere).
- Transfer the watermelon flesh and any juice from the bowl and rind to a blender and puree until very smooth, about 2 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth (or a coffee filter). Discard the solids and reserve the juice; you should have about 5 cups total.
- Measure 3 cups of the juice into a medium saucepan (save any remaining juice for another use). Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
- Meanwhile, whisk the watermelon-flavored and unflavored gelatin with the citric acid together in a large bowl, then whisk in the warm watermelon juice until all of the gelatin has dissolved, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the vodka until combined. Pour the gelatin mixture into the hallowed-out watermelon halves. Transfer to the refrigerator and chill until completely set, about 4 hours and up to 24 hours.
- Slice the watermelon in half lengthwise, then crosswise into small wedges. Serve chilled.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 of 12 servings |
| Calories | 133 |
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 20 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 18 g |
| Protein | 3 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 71 mg |
Reviews
Big hit! Doubled the vodka, and used an additional 0.25oz extra of clear gelatin (total of 1 oz clear gelatin). Set perfectly overnight, and held up outside of fridge for a while. Also kept watermelon that was scooped out to eat, and used watermelon juice instead (combination of what came from the watermelon, and the bottled kind from the store), and still turned out great, plus was really easy. Filled about 2/3 of the small watermelon.
Great for a summer treat, and fun presentation. Next time will double the vodka…could have used way more than what the recipe called for. Tasted great.
This looks cool