Watermelon Limeade
My best recipe inspiration comes directly from the grocery store. This time of year I head right to the produce department because that is where all of the good stuff is at. Fresh fruit and vegetables are in abundance and before I know it my shopping cart is full of items that I am excited about but don’t always have a use for.
Today’s recipe is one of those. Mini watermelon’s were on sale a week ago and it has been sitting on my counter since then. I had planned on making a fruit salad but never got around to it. After making this Watermelon Limeade, I am glad that I didn’t because this limeade is OH MY GOODNESS amazing.
Today I made it for my kids but I can’t wait to make it for my friends. A splash of lemon and lime soda, a shot of vodka and I think it would be a recipe for a delicious time. It would also be the perfect drink for your 4th of July celebration because it screams summer.
The freshness of the watermelon with the slight tartness of the lime is smoothed out by the simple syrup {or use this Lime Simple Syrup} but if you want to make it even easier then you could purchase limeade at the store. To get it Independence Day ready I cut out star garnishes which were really easy and super cute. I just made sure to save a round of the watermelon and used a small star cookie cutter.
Free Email Series
Tips & tricks to achieve the most delicious cookies of your life!
Here are some other fun drink recipes…The Perfect Margarita and Cider Sangria Spritzer.
For the drink, I chopped the watermelon into chunks and added it to my blender with 2 oz. of simple syrup {or lime simple syrup}. Then I blended it into a puree {or liquid substance}.
To get a smooth watermelon juice I poured the watermelon puree through a fine strainer.
Then I used the back of a spoon to push even more of the juice through the strainer. There will be quite a bit of pulp and seeds to discard.
Then I moved on to juicing my limes. I love the smell of fresh lime juice! It always reminds me of a great Margarita!!
To serve, combine the watermelon and lime juice, along with the simple syrup {or lime simple syrup} in a pitcher. Pour over ice, add a splash of lemon and lime soda {and vodka if desired}, garnish with a lime wedge or watermelon star…or both!
You can also float watermelon stars in the drink to make them extra fun. Happy Summer!!
Enter your email below and Iโll send it directly to your inbox!
Watermelon Limeade
Ingredients
- 1 small watermelon {cubed}
- 1/4 cup lime juice {about 4 limes}
- 4 oz. simple syrup {*see notes} or lime simple syrup
- 1/2 cup lemon and lime soda
- 1/2 cup vodka {optional}
Garnish: To cut shapes from watermelon, reserve a round of watermelon and use a small cookie cutter.
Instructions
- Put chunks of watermelon in blender with 2 ounces of simple syrup {equal parts of water & sugar-see notes} and blend into a puree. Pour puree through a fine strainer and use the back of a spoon to push juice through. Combine watermelon juice with lime juice and simple syrup. Serve over ice with a splash of lemon and lime soda {& shot of vodka, if desired}, garnish with watermelon or lime wedge, or both. Refrigerate leftovers, being sure to stir limeade if it has been sitting for a while because the watermelon juice will sink to the bottom of the pitcher.
Notes
- ย To make simple syrup:ย Combine 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 cup of sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil; simmer until the sugar is dissolves {about 2 minutes}.ย Cool completely before using and store in refrigerator.
- To make Lime Simple Syrup.
- Watermelon or lime vodka would be fabulous!