Watermelon Lemonade

It turned out to be the perfect drink to serve up at any summertime dinner party last week. It’s refreshing, light and even quite healthy.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 10 cups seedless watermelon, cubed in 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice
• 125ml Gin (more if needed)
• 1/2 cup loosely packed mint leaves
• Lemon slices, for serving
• Fresh mint sprigs, for serving

Instructions

• Make a simple syrup by combining the sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small pan over a medium-high heat. Heat the liquid just until the sugar is complete dissolved, 5-6 minutes. Set the syrup aside to cool.
• Pulse the watermelon in a blender until smooth. (May need to be done in 2 batches.) Strain the pureed watermelon through a fine mesh collander into a large bowl. Discard the pulp and rinse the blender container out with water.
• Return the watermelon liquid to the blender. Add the lemon juice, gin and mint and blend until the mint is finely chopped. Transfer the Watermelon Lemonade to a juice pitcher. Slowly adjust for your desired sweetness by adding the syrup to the lemonade. 
• Chill until serving. Serve over ice with lemon slices and fresh mint as a garnish.