Melonade (Recipe post)

Lemonade seems to be the beverage of choice of summer (unless you are: a- a lemonade addict like my roommate and you drink it like it's going out of style or b- a die hard southerner who's day just isn't complete without a 99 cent large sweet tea from McDonalds.) Whether it's Country Time or Mike's Hard, people just seem to be drawn to the idea of an ice cold glass of the sweet (and sour) stuff.


Seeing as my friend Holly is, truly, the hostess with the mostest,  we always look forward to evenings at her place: great food, great company, and her cats (but that is a blog post all on its own). We went over there last weekend and she offered us some lemonade. I noticed it was pink, but I didn't think much further than that. And then I took a drink. AND THAT is when I was introduced to watermelon lemonade.


It seems to be kind of a trendy thing this summer (and by that, I mean I saw it on a poster at Genghis Grill the other night), but I think it could be something really cool and new to take to fourth of July parties this weekend.

WATERMELON LEMONADE (like Martha S. does it)


Okay, this recipe is real easy (prep time is 5 minutes) and should make about 8 glasses. If you want to make more, just increase the ingredients as you need.


Speaking of which...INGREDIENTS


2 lemons, quartered
1 cup fresh mint leaves
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 medium seedless watermelon (about 9 pounds), rind removed, flesh (the pink tasty part) cut into chunks
and JUST FOR FUN
1 cup vodka (optional, of course)


DIRECTIONS
1. Squeeze lemons into a large pitcher; add squeezed lemon quarters. Add mint and sugar; mash with a wooden spoon until mint is bruised and sugar is dissolved (Jesus, Martha. So violent with your spoon)
2. In a blender, puree watermelon in batches until smooth; pour through a fine mesh sleeve into pitcher (you should have about 8 cups of juice). Stir to combine. Refrigerate covered (for up to 3 days). Add vodka, if using. Serve over ice.


Not only is the recipe simple, but I can tell you from experience that (sans vodka) it is both refreshing and delicious. Martha Stewart's recipe can be found here, but also know that lots of other places have put out recipes as well. When I was googling earlier I saw that whole foods has one on their website and I think that would definitely be worth trying.


Bring this to your parties this weekend. It'll get more attention than the bottle rockets.


Until next time,
Lo