You know it's big news when we're talking about it in Bangkok.
I wish I was referring to more profound news, like economic growth in China, or elections in Egypt, but no…it's Katie Holmes’ divorce from Tom Cruise. Why is this so intriguing? Have you been following it too? You can tell me. No judgment here.
Most of the time I can resist the siren’s call of celebrity gossip and focus on something respectable. Like eating popsicles for breakfast.
After I made a batch of Watermelon Lime popsicles and ate them at all hours of the day last week, I had the urge to put watermelon purée into just about everything.
It was the only thing distracting me from celebrity "news".
So when I came across Alice Currah's Watermelon, Mint Lemonade, I had to make it. Immediately.
It turned out to be the perfect drink to serve up at our summertime dinner party last week. Refreshing, light, and downright healthy.
Particularly when we added a shot of gin (because...why not?), we all agreed that this tastes like summer in a glass.
Watermelon and Mint – an undeniably successful combination.
Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise – not so much.
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Watermelon Mint Lemonade
Ingredients
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 10 cups seedless watermelon, cubed in 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice
- ½ cup loosely packed mint leaves
- lemon slices, for serving
- fresh mint sprigs, for serving
Instructions
- Make a simple syrup by combining ½ cup sugar and ½ cup water in a small pan over medium-high heat. Heat the liquid just until the sugar is complete dissolved, 5-6 minutes. Set the simple syrup aside to cool.
- Pulse the watermelon in a blender until smooth. (You may need to do this 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 and mint and blend until the mint is very finely chopped. Transfer the Watermelon Mint Lemonade to a juice pitcher. Slowly adjust for your desired sweetness by adding simple syrup to the lemonade. (I found that I needed only about half of the simple syrup, but depending on the sweetness of your watermelon, this may vary.)
- Chill until serving. Serve over ice, with lemon slices and fresh mint as a garnish.
Debra
Wow. Those look so refreshing. I think mint makes anything cooler to the palate. I am posting a watermelon popsicle later this week too. (I am a sucker for entertainment gossip---don't judge! I can't believe she stayed with him this long!) 🙂
Jess
Can't wait to see your watermelon popsicle, Debra. I love how many variations can stem from that simple, refreshing treat!
Mercedes
Wow, this looks so refreshing and delicious! Watermelon is definitely one of my favorite summer foods and I love discovering new ways to enjoy it, so thank you! Cheers!
Jess
Me too, Mercedes - I can never get enough watermelon this time of year!
Jess
Test
Corey @ Learning Patience
sounds awesome - we dont have seedless melons here but maybe ill make some next weekend at my parents house... sounds delicious!
xoxo from Trinidad
Jess
We don't have seedless watermelons either, which definitely added an extra step to making these. I saved the really seedy peices of the melon and we just ate those. 😉
Danielle | Backyard Zest
Yummm!!! This looks so good, even better than celebrity gossip 🙂 My pregnant summer has me loving all things watermelon, so I can't wait to try this...although I'll have to wait a bit to hit the gin.
Girish
Never thought of adding lemon juice to watermelon. Tried it & loved by all in the family
Jess
So glad you liked it! It really does bring out both flavors, right? It's a combination I had never tried before either, but now I use it all the time. I even make a fruit salad with cubed watermelon and a little lemon juice and mint on top.
Brandon
Hi this looks very refreshing and tasty 🙂 .. just wondering what sort of mint would be most suitable... spearmint? Peppermint ? Or just regular plain mint ?
Thanks
Jess
That's a great question, Brandon. I had regular mint (not specified as spearmint or peppermint) growing in my garden this year and almost always just used that. The other varieties would be great too, especially if you have a preference for those mint flavors!
Donna LemonWeaver
Try using the Spice blend Tajin on Watermelon, cantaloupe, tomatoes it is amazing
Jess Smith
Oh yum! That sounds so good! Will try it