Watermelon & Feta Skewers with Mint

Watermelon and feta is one of those pairings that requires no explanation once you've tasted it — the salt of the feta makes the watermelon taste more intensely of itself, and the cold watermelon makes the salty cheese taste lighter and cleaner. Add a mint leaf and a pinch of Aleppo pepper and it becomes something you could eat continuously for the entirety of a summer brunch.

On a mimosa bar, these skewers do a specific job: the mint bridges botanical mimosas, the salt sharpens citrus ones, and the watermelon's sweetness echoes any fruit-forward juice. They look effortless because they are.

Ingredients (makes 30 skewers): - ½ medium seedless watermelon (about 2 ⅔ lb of flesh) - 7 oz firm Greek feta (the driest, most solid variety available) - 30 fresh mint leaves - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice - ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or Aleppo pepper (optional but transforms the bite) - Flaky sea salt and cracked black pepper - Zest of 1 lime - 30 cocktail skewers or bamboo picks (6-inch)

Instructions: Cut the watermelon into 1½-inch cubes — uniform size creates a more professional presentation. Pat the cubes gently with paper towel to remove excess surface moisture.

Cut the feta into 1-inch cubes, trying to keep them as clean and intact as possible — feta can crumble, so handle gently.

Thread each skewer: one watermelon cube, then fold a mint leaf in half and thread it, then one feta cube.

Arrange skewers in a single layer on a chilled platter. Whisk together olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, and red pepper flakes. Drizzle over the assembled skewers. Finish with flaky salt and cracked black pepper.

Refrigerate, covered, for up to 3 hours. Serve cold.

The Mimosa Pairing: These pair brilliantly with watermelon mimosas, cucumber mint mimosas, or any tropical juice-based mimosa. The mint bridges the botanical notes of elderflower mimosas particularly well.

Variations: Add a small piece of fresh melon alongside the watermelon for a two-tone presentation. Replace mint with fresh basil for an Italian-leaning variation. Thread a grape or cherry tomato onto the skewer for additional color and flavor.

Pro Tips: Cold watermelon is non-negotiable — warm watermelon is less sweet and less refreshing. Buy a high-quality barrel-aged Greek feta (sold in brine) rather than pre-crumbled feta, which tends to be dry and bland. Aleppo pepper provides a gentler, fruitier heat than standard red pepper flakes and is highly recommended for this preparation.