Watermelon Lemonade

As excited as I am for fall to arrive, I am finding that I am still truly enjoying summertime and all the fresh fruits and vegetables that are available.  I recently blogged this recipe for strawberry lemonade and loved it so much that I wanted to find another flavored lemonade that was just as delicious and easy to make.  Along came this amazingly refreshing recipe for watermelon lemonade!  I think it's just fabulous and would be a great addition to any late summer meal or Labor Day get together!  Afterall, does anything say summer more than watermelon and lemonade?

Watermelon Lemonade

4 cups cubed seedless watermelon
1/2 cup granulated sugar
cold water
3-4 lemons, depending on size

Roll each of the lemons on the countertop to loosen up the juices inside.  Juice each lemon (you should have about 1/2 cup of lemon juice). Toss the leftover lemon rinds into a pitcher with drinking water to make lemon water. 

Measure 1/2 cup of that lemon water into a small saucepan and add sugar.  Bring to a rapid boil and stir over medium-high heat until the sugar is completely dissolved and you have made a simple syrup.  Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool completely.

Meanwhile, combine lemon juice and watermelon in a food processor or blender (you might need to do this in batches, depending on the size of your food processor) and process until well-blended.

In a separate large pitcher, combine watermelon-lemon mixture, cooled simple syrup, and 5 cups of the lemon water.  Adjust flavor by adding more water if desired.  Serve chilled and over ice. 

*To make this drink "sparkly", add some sparkling water or seltzer in place of some of the additional lemon water. 

**To make this drink "adult friendly", go ahead and add some vodka or lemon flavored vodka as well