Watermelon Lemonade with Mint

Summer makes me think of cold drinks under an umbrella or by a pool while reading a good book. I’m not big on sugary drinks or those with alcohol – at least during the day when it’s really hot – I’m looking for something refreshing that quenches my thirst.

Watermelon Lemonade with Mint takes everything that makes you think of summer and warm weather and puts it into a drink and it’s perfect for both kids and adults.

It’s a simple recipe and you can add as much or as little sugar as you want. We had some fun serving it right from the hallowed out watermelon.

The key to this drink is making sure that you purchase seedless watermelons, otherwise you will spend most of your time trying to remove the seeds from the chunks of watermelon and that is not a fun task. Additionally, depending on the size of your blender, you may want to prepare the recipe in two batches. So, prep the first watermelon and halve the rest of the ingredients to blend the drink and then repeat.

To prepare the watermelon, use a 9" Carver to slice off the top, approximately 1/4 to 1/3 down.

Making the initial cut with a Carver.

Using a Salmon Knife carefully cut around the inside of the watermelon to cut the flesh away from the skin.

Using a Salmon knife to cut around the inside of the watermelon.

Use the 9" Carver to cut rows of slices into the main part of the watermelon. Rotate the melon 180 degrees and cut more rows of slices, to create a patchwork of cuts. Just be careful to not pierce the bottom of the watermelon.

Using the Carver again to cut rows in the watermelon.

Using a Basting Spoon, scoop out all of the pink watermelon flesh and repeat the same process with the second watermelon.

Using a Basting Spoon to remove the cut pieces.

Place the watermelon chunks into a large blender and add the lemon juice and sugar. Purée until smooth and then transfer the juice into a large bowl. Add the sparking water and stir.

Using a Trimmer, cut the lemon into slices and, if desired, cut the slices into halves.

Using the Trimmer to make lemon slices.

Take the Mini Cheese Knife and cut the lime into slices and again, if desired, cut the slices into halves.

Use the Mini Cheese Knife to slice the lime.

Place the two hollowed out watermelons on a stable surface and add some ice to both watermelons. Using a Ladle, scoop the watermelon lemonade over the ice and add the lemon and lime slices, as well as some sprigs of mint, and serve. If you do not want to use the watermelons for serving the lemonade, you can also follow the same process but prepare the drink in a pitcher. When serving, take the leftover tops of the watermelon and cut some thin slices to use as decoration on the glasses.

This Watermelon Lemonade with Mint really hit the spot. We have some people who don’t like eating watermelon, but they actually liked the drink. Everyone agreed that this was a perfectly refreshing drink for summer and great to share with the kids. It’s something a little different, but very tasty.

Ingredients

2 small watermelons, seedless
8 ounces lemon juice
2/3 cup sugar
4 cups sparkling water
1 lime, cut into slices or half slices
1 lemon, cut into slices or half slices
8 sprigs of mint
Ice cubes

Directions

Cut the top off of the first watermelon (approximately 1/3 of the way down). Using the Salmon Knife, cut carefully around the inside of the watermelon. Using a 9" Carver, carefully cut rows of slices into the larger piece of watermelon. Turn the watermelon 180 degrees and cut rows of slices – forming a patchwork pattern.

Using a Basting Spoon, scoop out the watermelon flesh. Repeat the same process with the second watermelon.

Place all of the watermelon flesh into a blender and add the lemon juice and sugar. Purée. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in the sparkling water.

Put some ice into both hollowed-out watermelons and fill them with the watermelon lemonade. Add some lime and lemon slices, as well as some sprigs of mint. For any excess watermelon lemonade, add ice to a pitcher and pour the watermelon lemonade over the ice, adding the lime and lemon slices, as well as the mint.

To serve from the watermelons, use a ladle to scoop the watermelon lemonade into glasses.

Optional – cut the tops of the watermelon into slices and use as a garnish on the serving glasses.

Watermelon Lemonade With Mint