Watermelon-Jalapeno Cooler

We're helping you get ready for your big Cinco de Mayo fiesta with celebrity chef and host of "Mexican Made Easy" Marcela Valladolid! Check out her recipe for Watermelon-Jalapeno Cooler!

Watermelon-Jalapeno CoolerRecipe courtesy Marcela Valladolid

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 jalapeno, stemmed, seeded
4 sprigs fresh thyme
5 cups chopped, seeded watermelon
Ice, for serving
 
Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, about 4 minutes. Add the jalapeno and thyme and let it infuse for 5 minutes. Remove the jalapeno and thyme and set aside.
 
Pour the simple syrup and chopped watermelon into a blender. Blend until very smooth, about 2 minutes. Serve cold over ice and garnish with the sugary sprigs of thyme.
 
Yield:   4 to 6 servings
 Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Inactive Prep Time: 5 minutes
Ease of preparations: easy