Sparkling Watermelon Lemonade {Progressive Eats}

I’m gonna let you in on a secret: I hate eating watermelon. I know, I’m a freak. There’s just something about the texture that I can’t stand. As much as I want to love that watermelon, feta, and mint salad that everyone makes this time of year, I can’t do it. Blegh.

I do, however, love drinking watermelon. Once it gets pureed, the texture is no longer an issue and it’s totally delicious and refreshing. Here, I combine it with fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and seltzer to make a gorgeous sparkling pink lemonade. It’s heavy on watermelon flavor, but still plenty tart. And, since the watermelon is so naturally sweet, you can cut way down on the added sugar.

Today, some of my friends and I are unveiling a new monthly blogging event called Progressive Eats. Have you ever been to a progressive dinner party? If not, it’s where you eat one course at one house, then move on to another one for the next, then another one, etc. They’ve fallen out of fashion, but I have seen them done as fundraisers and I’ve always loved the concept. Barb from Creative Culinary had the brilliant idea of taking these progressive parties online, with a core group of bloggers each posting one “course” of a themed menu. By them time you’ve stopped by and visited each blog, you’ll have a complete menu for a theme night of your own!

This month, Lana from Never Enough Time agree to host and she chose the theme “Summer in the South.” I’m from New York and, with the exception of Miami, the farthest south I’ve ever been is Northern Virginia. This theme was definitely not my forte!

I took the easy route and signed up to bring drinks. This sparkling watermelon lemonade is perfect though – at least in my mind. It’s super refreshing and will keep you cool in the stifling heat.

Sparkling Watermelon Lemonade

Yield: 16

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

If you have a high-powered blender, like a Vitamix or Blendtec, you probably won't need to strain your watermelon puree. If you have a less powerful blender, the puree with be thicker. It's still perfectly delicious, but if you prefer a thiner drink you can strain it through a mesh sieve to remove the pulp. I also really like to make frozen lemonade with this recipe. Leave out the sparkling water and blend the more concentrated lemonade with a pitcher full of ice.

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Ingredients

• 3 cups water
• 3/4 cups sugar
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 small, seedless watermelon
• 8 lemons
• 4 cups seltzer

Instructions

1. Combine the water, sugar, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a rapid simmer to dissolve the sugar. Once the sugar is dissolved, set aside to cool.
2. Peel the watermelon and cut the flesh into cubes (you should have about 2 cups). Process in a blender until smooth. Strain, if desired (see note). Pour into a serving pitcher.
3. Juice 7 of the lemons and add to the watermelon puree. Slice the remaining lemon into thin rounds and add to the pitcher. Stir in the simple syrup. Add the seltzer and stir gently to combine. Chill well and serve over ice.

Be sure to check out the rest of our Summer in the South menu, and come back the last Tuesday of every month for a new theme!

Main Course

Never Enough Thyme – Creole Style Smothered Chicken

Appetizers

The Heritage Cook – Old Bay Shrimp Boil Skewers

Stetted – Fried Green Tomatoes with Smoked Tomato Basil Aioli

Bread

Savvy Eats – Jalapeno Cornbread + How to Store Cornbread

Salads

Miss in the Kitchen – Creamy Coleslaw

Life’s a Feast – Shrimp, Grilled Peach and Quinoa Salad

Soup

Spiceroots – Maque Choux Soup

Sides

Creative Culinary – Bacon and Caramelized Onion Creamed Corn

Pastry Chef Online – Spicy Succotash

Beverage

Healthy. Delicious. – Watermelon Lemonade

Desserts

Barbara Bakes – Key Lime Pound Cake

 That Skinny Chick Can Bake – Banana Cream Cheesecake Pie