Cooking Cove: Watermelon Cooler

Summer time, birthdays, and ripe watermelon create the perfect storm for me to crave this drink. It is sweet, zippy, and bubbly.

 

 

Watermelon Cooler:

 

3 cups  chopped, seedless watermelon

3/4 cup  sugar

1/2 cup  mint leaves

2 cups  white grape juice

1 tsp  lime zest

3/4 cup  fresh lime juice

32 oz  club soda, chilled

 

Blend/process watermelon, strain and discard pulp.

 

 

 

In large bowl, add sugar and mint, lightly crushing mint into the sugar.

Add grape juice, lime juice, lime zest, to the same bowl. Stir until sugar dissolves.

 

Add grape juice mixture to watermelon juice in a pitcher. Stir in club soda and pour over ice. Garnish with watermelon slices or fresh mint or lime slices. 

 

 

My grandfather may or may not have spiked his at the last birthday party. Either way, it is yummy and refreshing. If it sits too long the watermelon will seperate, just stir. The taste will not be affected. Cheers!