July 4th Treats ~ Tequila Soaked Watermelon Wedges & Margarita Bites ~

I hope everyone had a Happy and Safe Independence Day!!!! We spent the day with some of our friends grilling out we had such a great time. It was a whopping 103 degrees yesterday so, I guess you could say that's a normal Texas summer day. I tried to get these recipes posted yesterday, but with everything that was going on I just couldn't find a spare moment. The kids were ready to get going so I was really pressed for time. I did manage to get a few pictures of all the treats that I brought with us. I usually bring a nice dessert whenever we get together with friends, well this time I brought desserts specifically for the adults. (Fun Fun) Tequila Soaked Watermelon Wedges & Layered Margarita Bites!!!!!!!
I have had this dessert tucked away in my head ever since I first saw the recipe in Martha Stewart's Living magazine. I said that is the perfect dessert to make for 4Th of July. I paired it off with Layered Margarita Bites which is a Jell-O/Kraft recipe, what a perfect combination. Sometimes it is nice to make something special just for the adults. Everyone loved them!!!!! The Margarita bites are quite addicting. Smooth and refreshing all at the same time they turned out so creamy. Don't worry I didn't forget about the kiddos I baked them a few sweet treat as well, so I was pretty busy yesterday. I do hope you give these desserts a try because they were such a big a hit.

Refreshing Margarita Bites!!!

The Watermelon Wedges looked so pretty with the margarita salt and the limes. By Soaking them in the Tequila and the Triple Sec it resulted in such juicy slices.

Here is a picture of the whole tray of tequila watermelon wedges. I had them soaking on two individual trays, then I just drained off some of the liquid, stacked the wedges and squirted lime juice all over. And lastly sprinkled margarita salt all over and garnished with extra limes.


I couldn't forget about the kids, so I made them some patriotic cupcakes and added sprinkles and pinwheels to the top. With everything I had to prepare, I took the easy route and used a cake mix, but I added some food coloring to add a little kick. I also baked up some Mexican Wedding Cookies, chocolate chip style. The kids were so excited when they saw the cupcakes with the little pin wheels on top.

Tequila Soaked Watermelon Wedges

1 small seedless watermelon,
(quartered and cut into 1-inch-thick wedges)
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup water
1 - cup tequila
3/4 - cup Triple Sec
2 limes, halved or cut into wedges
Margarita salt or coarse salt

Arrange watermelon in a single layer in two 9-by-13-inch baking dishes. Bring sugar, water, tequila, and Triple Sec to a boil in a small saucepan. Cook, stirring, until sugar dissolves, about 1 minute. Let cool slightly. Pour syrup over watermelon wedges, and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes. Remove watermelon from syrup, and arrange on a platter. Squeeze limes over melon, and season with salt.

* I did make a change in the recipe by increasing the amount of Tequila and Triple Sec but that is the only change I made. The original recipe called for 1/2 tequila and 1/4 cup triple sec.

Layered Margarita Bites

2 cups boiling water
2 pkg. (3 oz. each) JELL-O Margarita Flavor Gelatin
1/2 cup tequila
Zest and juice from 1 lime
2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

ADD boiling water to gelatin mixes in large bowl; stir with whisk 2 min. until completely dissolved. Stir in tequila and 2 Tbsp. lime juice. Add COOL WHIP and 1 tsp. lime zest; stir until COOL WHIP is completely melted and mixture is well blended. POUR into 8-inch square pan. REFRIGERATE 3 hours or until firm. Cut into 36 pieces to serve.


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Tina, The Mom in Mommy's Kitchen