Summertime is the perfect time for lemonade. But this summer, try something new and mix things up with this watermelon mint lemonade. It is the ideal refresher for a hot day and brings the classic lemonade to a new level. In addition, it can be easily transformed into a beverage for adults using vodka (lemon flavored vodka is preferred) if desired.
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Made with just a few simple ingredients, it’s perfect for any occasion. Plus, it’s so easy to make that you can have a glass any time you want. This drink is ideal for a party or a backyard barbecue – it’ll keep your guests cool and hydrated all day!
The sweetness of the watermelon mixed with the tartness of the lemon makes for a delicious and refreshing drink. And the mint adds an extra kick.
This watermelon mint lemonade recipe is super easy to make and can be tailored to your taste preferences. For example, if you like your drinks on the sweeter side, add a little more watermelon juice and simple syrup. Or, for a tart twist, add an extra squeeze of lemon.
I have included directions to make a mint-infused simple syrup. The watermelon adds a lot of sweetness, so you may not wish to sweeten it further. It depends on how sweet or tart you want the final results to be.
Suppose you are hosting an outdoor party on a warm day. In that case, one way to keep your guests’ drinks from watered down is to make extra of this beverage so you can freeze some into ice cubes or an ice ring (if serving in a punch bowl). This way, as the ice melts, it will only add more of the drink to the glass rather than diluting it.
To make ice cubes, simply pour the beverage into an ice cube tray and freeze. For an ice ring, freeze the drink in a bundt pan or circular mold. Then, when you’re ready to serve, unmold the ring and float it in a punch bowl or large pitcher.
Everybody will stay cool and refreshed all day long! Plus, your guests will appreciate the festive touch!
Simple Syrup
Sugar doesn’t dissolve well in cold water. So simple syrup is a key ingredient in many cocktails, desserts, and other recipes. It is made by dissolving sugar in water.
You can add your favorite flavorings for an extra pop of flavor. Try adding your favorite herb, spice, or fruit during the cooking process. For example, citrus zest, vanilla bean, cinnamon sticks, and mint are all great flavor additions. I used mint for this recipe.
To make sugar syrup:
- Combine sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat.
- Strain to remove any flavorings if used.
- Set aside and allow it to cool before using.
- Once the mixture has cooled, it can be used immediately or stored in a covered glass container for later use.
Simple syrup is essential for sweet success, whether you’re making a classic summer lemonade, iced teas, coffee, cocktails, or a delicious chocolate sauce.
Whether you’re looking to cool off on a hot day or just want to enjoy the taste of summer, this watermelon mint lemonade is the perfect drink to quench your thirst. So let’s pull out our blenders and start this tasty summer drink!
Ingredients to use for this recipe
- Fresh watermelon
- Fresh lemons
- Fresh mint
- Sugar
How to make the Watermelon Mint Lemonade?
Prepare the mint-infused simple syrup.
- Add the sugar, water, and crushed mint to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat.
- Stir until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and strain to remove mint leaves.
- Set aside to cool.
Prepare the lemonade.
- Add the watermelon chunks, lemon juice, and cold water to a blender and blend until liquefied.
- Pour through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any larger particles.
- Taste and add more water if needed.
- Sweeten with the cooled mint-infused simple syrup, as desired.
- Bruise the fresh mint leaves with your fingers to release their oils. Add the crushed leaves to a large glass pitcher or jar. Top with the watermelon mixture and stir to combine.
- To serve, pour over ice and garnish with fresh lemon slices and mint sprigs.
Notes and Tips
Watermelon
I prefer seeded watermelons to seedless ones as their flavor is much more intense. Of course, you will need to scoop out as many mature seeds as possible to make before blending, but the result will be much more flavorful.
If you use seedless watermelon, you must strain it after blending. This is because they still have seeds; they are just immature seeds.
Large Batch
This recipe is easily doubled or tripled for parties.
Spiked Lemonade
Add 6 oz of citron (lemon-infused) vodka to the recipe to make an adult version of the drink.
A tip for the ice
As the ice cubes are melting, they will water down the watermelon mint lemonade. Since no one like watered-down beverages, make watermelon mint lemonade ice cubes. Prepare some extra of the beverage and pour it into an ice cube tray or an ice ring (if you are serving it in a punch bowl), and freeze. To make the ice ring, freeze the drink in a bundt pan or circular mold. Then, when you’re ready to serve, unmold the ice cubes or ring and float it in a punch bowl or large pitcher.
Your guests will stay cool and enjoy the full flavor of this refreshing beverage all day long!
More summer fruit recipes
Watermelon Mint Lemonade
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Mint-infused Simple Syrup
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves tightly packed, stems removed and crushed
For the Lemonade
- 6 cups watermelon cut into chunks
- 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 6-8 medium lemons)
- 1/2 cup cold water (plus more if needed)
- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves tightly packed, stems removed
- fresh mint sprigs or garnish
- lemon slices or garnish
- ice to serve
Instructions
To make the Mint-infused Simple Syrup
- Add the sugar, water, and crushed mint to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat.
- Stir for 2-3 minutes until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and strain to remove mint leaves.
- Set aside to cool.
To make the Lemonade
- Add the watermelon chunks, lemon juice, and cold water to a blender and blend until liquefied.
- Pour through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any larger particles.
- Taste and add more water if needed.
- Sweeten with the cooled mint-infused simple syrup, as desired.
- Bruise the fresh mint leaves with your fingers to release their oils. Add the crushed leaves to a large glass pitcher or jar. Top with the watermelon mixture and stir to combine.
- To serve, pour over ice and garnish with fresh lemon slices and mint sprigs.
Notes
I prefer seeded watermelons to seedless ones as their flavor is much more intense. Of course, you will need to scoop out as many mature seeds as possible to make before blending, but the result will be much more flavorful.
If you use seedless watermelon, you must strain it after blending. This is because they still have seeds; they are just immature seeds. Large Batch:
This recipe is easily doubled or tripled for parties. Spiked Lemonade:
Add 6 oz of citron (lemon-infused) vodka to the recipe to make an adult version of the drink.
Nutrition
This information is provided as a courtesy and for entertainment purposes only. This information comes from online calculators. Although eatmediterraneanfood.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
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