Summer Watermelon Cooler

Sharon123's Note:

A wonderful way to use watermelon! This was a $400 winner in BH&G recipe contest! This is my kind of drink! :) Cook time is chilling time.

• Total Time: 2 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 2 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 10

• 5 cups seeded and cubed watermelon (about 3-1/2 lb.)
• 1⁄3; cup raspberry flavored syrup (or cherry syrup)
• ice cube (or Watermelon Ice Cubes-recipe below)
• 1 (1 liter) bottle carbonated water , chilled (club soda, mineral water, soda water)
• raspberry flavored syrup (or cherry syrup) (optional)

Directions:

1. In a blender or food processor bowl combine the watermelon and the 1/3 cup syrup. Cover and blend or process until smooth. Press mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a medium bowl; discard pulp. Cover and refrigerate mixture at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
2. To serve, add ice cubes to ten 12-ounce glasses. Pour enough watermelon mixture into glasses to fill half full. Add enough carbonated water to fill glasses. If desired, sweeten individual servings with additional syrup; stir to dissolve syrup. Makes 10 servings.
3. Watermelon Ice Cubes:.
4. Use these cubes to keep coolers cold without thinning outflavor. Cut 1-inch cubes from watermelon flesh. Place the melon cubes in a single layer in a 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Freeze for 1 to 2 hours or until firm. If storing longer than 4 hours, transfer cubes to a self-sealing plastic freezer bag or freezer container and freeze until ready to use.

Reviews

[Cooks4_6]

This is a refreshing summer drink; great for after a work out! There was something missing from the flavor for me; maybe I should add more syrup next time as you suggested. I tried it straight up this time. It was also be a good base for a watermelon martini, or with muddled mint and rum like a melon mojito. I ended up having to thaw the melon in the blender a bit because it initially jammed my blades.