Fragrant Watermelon Cooler

Ingredients

• 15 g star anise
• 1 tablespoon caster sugar
• 90 ml water
• 500 g watermelon
• sparkling water, to top up

Directions

1. 1

   Roughly crush the star anise using a pestle and mortar, and tip into a small pan along with the sugar and water.

2. 2

   Dissolve the sugar in the water, bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes.

3. 3

   Remove the pan from the heat and leave the star anise to steep in the syrup for 10 minutes.

4. 4

   Cut the watermelon into chunks and put it through a juicer.

5. 5

   Strain the anise syrup through a fine sieve and use to sweeten the melon juice. Stir well to combine the flavors.

6. 6

   Fill 2 glasses two-thirds full with the juice, and top up with sparkling water.

7. 7

   Serve chilled.