Yellow Watermelon Lemonade: Sweet, Tart & Surprisingly Delicious

 

I know summer has officially arrived when my fridge holds a pitcher of cold brew tea, pork steaks are prepped for the grill, and at least one watermelon is sitting on the counter. This year I went all in with three small ones. One didn’t make it to dinnertime because I turned it into ridiculously refreshing Watermelon Lemonade that has everyone doing a double take.

 I chose a yellow watermelon for this batch not just because it was seedless, but the golden color turned out to be an unexpected bonus. People take one look at the drink and assume it’s some kind of tropical punch. The surprise comes with the first sip, when they realize they’re tasting fresh watermelon and lemon. The result is sweet, tart, icy-cold, and ridiculously refreshing on a hot summer day.

 If you’re serving this to children, be sure to set aside a portion before adding the vodka. Speaking from experience, that little detail matters. I made this one morning and kept sampling it “just to make sure it tasted right.” By lunchtime, I was feeling a little woozy. Quality control can be a dangerous job. 

Watermelon Lemonade

6 c. Melissa’s yellow watermelon chunks

½ c. granulated sugar

½ c. fresh Melissa’s Meyer lemon juice

¾ c. citrus vodka

 Combine the watermelon, sugar, lemon juice, and vodka in a blender.

 Blend until completely smooth.

 Transfer to a pitcher and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 2 hours.

 Serve over ice and enjoy.

 Summer in a glass.

 Sources:

Glass straws

Glassware

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I Love Trader Joe’s Cocktail Book, Reviewed

 

I thoroughly enjoy a well-crafted cocktail book, especially when it's compact, filled with straightforward recipes, and beautifully illustrated with color photographs. The newly released I Love Trader Joe’s Cocktail Book by Greg McBoat checks all these boxes.

I was instantly captivated by the recipe for "The Dirtiest Martini," which ingeniously includes capers. It's not just a clever idea; it's an outstanding cocktail. Other highlights include the Mexican Chocolate Martini, the vibrant Violet Royale, the Wake the Dead layered shot, and the elegant Parisian Blonde. One of the standout features of this book, rarely seen in others, is its organization by season. This ensures that by the end of the year, you'll have access to warm, comforting drinks perfect for the colder months.

The cocktails in this book are uniquely named—think Cookie Butter Old-Fashioned, Cloudy Irish Coffee, and Tootsie Roll Shot—offering a fresh twist on classics without the need for exotic ingredients that would send you hunting through specialty liquor stores.

The book's size is another plus, making it ideal for various gifting scenarios. It fits perfectly in an Easter basket, can be wrapped in decorative paper for a thoughtful hostess gift (I've taken to using pages from old, falling-apart cookbooks to wrap host/hostess gifts for a unique touch), or serve as a delightful Mother's or Father's Day present. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Buy it!

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Many thanks to Ulysses Press for providing me with a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.