There’s nothing like fresh chilled watermelon on a hot summer day, it’s so refreshing. Combining melon with shrimp may not sound conventional but my recipe for this refreshing chipotle shrimp & watermelon cocktail will be your new favorite summer recipe. The flavors of the smoky chipotle chili, sweet watermelon and succulent shrimp go surprisingly well together for a shrimp cocktail appetizer that is ready for poolside parties.
Making this chipotle shrimp & watermelon cocktail brought back memories of my childhood. As a young boy I learned a lot about good food from my mom. So, while other boys were enjoying playing baseball, I was captivated by grocery shopping. I was always mesmerized by the little shrimp cocktails that were sold in the seafood section. Because there was something fascinating to me by the shrimp suspended in sauce in the shapely clear glass jar. As a result I would beg her to buy me one so I could collect the fancy jars to drink Kool-Aid out of. In conclusion, my love of cooking creates new recipes and memories to think back on.
Try My Other Summertime Shrimp Recipes
Chipotle Shrimp & Watermelon Cocktail
This refreshing recipe combines cool, sweet watermelon and succulent shrimp for a poolside party ready appetizer
Ingredients
- 1 lb precooked chilled shrimp 30/40 per lb size, peeled & deveined
- 2 limes, juiced
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt, divided
- 1/2 tsp coarse black pepper, divided
- 2 tbsp honey, divided
- 3 tbsp chipotle chili in adobo, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh tarragon, chopped
- 1/2 cup green onions, sliced thin, divided
- 3/4 cup celery, diced
- 4 cups seedless, chilled watermelon, cubed
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 2 limes, sliced or wedges for garnish
- 1 bunch of chives, minced for garnish
Instructions
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Rinse and drain the shrimp, set aside (I reserved 6 shrimp w/tails on for garnish)
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In a bowl whisk together half the lime juice, mayonnaise, ketchup, cayenne pepper, 1/4 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. black pepper, 1 tbsp. honey, 2 tbsp. chipotle, tarragon, celery and 1/4 cup green onions
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Stir in the shrimp and set aside
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In another bowl toss together the watermelon, cucumber, remaining lime juice, 1/4 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. black pepper, 1 tbsp. honey, 1 tbsp. chipotle
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Divide the watermelon mixture among 6 small canning jars, glasses or martini glasses and divide the shrimp mixture by spooning it over the top, add any extra sauce on top of each one.
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Garnish each glass with 1 tail on shrimp, slice of lime or lime wedge and a sprinkling of chives
Other Ways To Serve And Prepare This Refreshing Chipotle Shrimp & Watermelon Cocktail
- “Shrimp on the Barbie” I bought my shrimp precooked from the seafood market but try buying it raw and grilling it on the barbecue with BBQ spice and chilling it
- Add additional seafood to this like scallops and crab and make seafood cocktail
- Make this a shrimp Louie by serving it on a bed of butter lettuce and add some sliced hard-boiled egg and avocado
- Make it vegan by steaming some cauliflower, tossing it with Old Bay seasoning along with some hearts of palm and vegan mayo and you will put a smile on the faces of your party guests that have seafood allergies or diet restrictions
- Try Mexican flavors by adding fresh chopped cilantro, hot sauce and chopped jalapenos for a real kick
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