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Barbie Girl

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A barbie girl cocktail made with watermelon juice in a coupe glass.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Sean Dooley

I must have listened to Danish pop group Aqua’s 1997 hit single “Barbie Girl” hundreds of times. Even just hearing the first line, “I’m a Barbie Girl,” it immediately gets stuck in your head (sorry about that). Despite never having played with Barbies, I loved the vaguely techno, Europop sound and somewhat saucy lyrics. Mattel, makers of the actual Barbie dolls, were not so pleased. They sued the group’s record label, MCA, for violating their trademark and tarnishing the toy’s long-standing wholesome reputation. A countersuit followed, and both cases were ultimately dismissed with the presiding judge issuing this iconic line: “The parties are advised to chill.” Has anything ever been more ’90s?

This song, and this anecdote, lives in a glossy, syrupy-slick world that sounds like a blast to visit. This combination of fresh watermelon juice, vibrant grape brandy, and black currant liqueur will take you there immediately. Come on, Barbie, let’s go party.

This recipe was excerpted from ‘Saved by the Bellini' by John deBary. Buy the full book on Amazon.

Ingredients

Makes 1 cocktail

2 oz. fresh watermelon juice
1½ oz. pisco
¾ oz. crème de cassis
½ oz. fresh lime juice
Luxardo cherries, for garnish

Preparation

  1. In a shaker, combine watermelon juice, pisco, crème de cassis, and fresh lime juice. Fill with ice and shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Strain into a cocktail coupe. Garnish with Luxardo cherries on a pick.

Saved By The Bellini-COVER.jpg
Reprinted with permission from Saved by the Bellini: & Other 90s-Inspired Cocktails by John deBary ©2023 and published by Union Square & Co. Illustrations by Clara Kirkpatrick. Buy the full book from Amazon or Union Square & Co.
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TagsCocktailAlcoholBeveragesCookbooksWatermelonMelonFruitPiscoCrème de CassisLiqueur

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