1/2 cup basil leaves

For drink:

3/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 10 to 12 limes)

1 medium watermelon

3/4 cup simple syrup

A handful of fresh basil leaves

Seltzer water

Vodka (I prefer Grey Goose)

Lime wedges, basil leaves and decorative straws for garnish

Make your simple syrup. In a small heavy bottom pot, combine water and pure cane sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Once sugar is completely dissolved, remove from heat. Add a generous 1/2 cup of basil to the syrup and let steep for at least 30 minutes. Remove leaves after 30 minutes and continue to let cool.

Juice your limes either by hand or with a juicer. Set aside.

Set a fine mesh sieve over a glass bowl. Set aside. Remove the rind from the watermelon and cut into large chunks. Add a couple of cups of watermelon to your blender and liquefy until no chunks remain. Strain puree in sieve. Repeat until all of your watermelon has been pureed (makes about 6 cups).

In a large, glass pitcher, combine watermelon puree, simple syrup and lime juice. Refrigerate until cold, about 2 hours.

When ready to serve, fill a glass with ice. Pour watermelon 3/4 of the way up the glass. For the kiddies, fill glass with seltzer water. For the grown-ups, top off the glass with about 3 tablespoons of chilled vodka.

Garnish with lime wedges or fresh basil and a decorative straw!

(Susan Salzman writes The Urban Baker blog to explore her dedication to good food in the hope of adding beauty to the lives of her family and friends. One for the Table is Amy Ephron's online magazine that specializes in food, politics and love. www.oneforthetable.com.)