Luau Drinks
When it comes to what to drink at your luau, the most important thing to remember is to not worry too much about it. A luau is not the time to fret over perfect wine pairings. You want to serve something bright and refreshing, with good acidity, which can be anything from fresh-squeezed lemonade and iced tea to sparkling wines such as Cava and Champagne and still wines such as Sauvignon Blanc, Arnais, Albariño, Frescati, dry rosé and vinho verde. In Hawaii, big hotels and resorts still put too much emphasis on chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon, varietals that do not belong in the tropics. Cold beer is excellent, too, as is agua fresca, especially pineapple or watermelon. For a special treat, try awa (also known as kava kava), with or without coconut milk. You can find it here. I also like 100 percent Kona coffee, served over ice.
Watermelon Agua Fresca
Serves 10 to 12
You should have a roomy work surface set up with 3 large bowls, a large strainer and a big sturdy cutting board, preferably made of wood. Set the strainer in one of the bowls. You will also need a food mill or an immersion blender and a big punch bowl or glass agua fresca container. An apron or t-shirt you don’t care about is essential, too. Make the simple syrup in advance, cool it and chill it. Have plenty of ice in the freezer.
1 large ripe watermelon (not seedless)
Simple syrup (see Note below)
Ice
Cut the melon in half lengthwise and cut each half into 3 lengthwise pieces.
Cut the fruit away from the rind and use your fingers to remove the seeds, holding the fruit over the strainer as you work. Let the seeds, little pieces of fruit and juice drop into the strainer. Put the seeded fruit into the second bowl. Continue until all of the watermelon has been seeded.
Lift the strainer out of the bowl it is in and shake it so that juice will remain in the bowl. Discard the seeds.
If using a food mill, set it over the third bowl and pass the seeded fruit through it, using the small blade. All or nearly all of the fruit will go through the mill; discard any that remains. Add the juice that drained from the seeds.
If using an immersion blender, use your hands to break up the biggest pieces of fruit. Press the blender directly into the fruit, moving it throughout the bowl so that all the fruit is pureed and no big chunks remains.
Taste and add just enough simple syrup to brighten the flavor. Do not make it overly sweet. Fill a punch bowl or several pitchers about one-third full with ice and pour the watermelon juice over the ice. Stir and serve immediately.
Note: To make Simple Syrup, put 4 cups of sugar into a heavy saucepan, add 2 cups water and do no stir. Set over medium heat and when the sugar has dissolved, simmer for 2 minutes, until the liquid is completely clear. Remove from heat, cool completely, pour into a glass jar and store in the refrigerator, covered, until ready to serve.