Watermelon Cooler

Name: Watermelon Cooler
Ingredients: ½ medium seedless watermelon (5 pounds); 2 cups lemonade , homemade or good-quality prepared; 12 ounces vodka, tequila , or rum (optional)

Contributors

Cookbook

The Summer House Cookbook

Published by Clarkson Potter

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This image courtesy of Joseph DeLeo

Geralyn and her husband were inspired to make this delicious concoction after they tried it at a favorite bistro in SoHo called L’Orange Bleue. Enjoyed straight up by the kids and spiked with vodka for the adults, it’s been a resounding hit when we entertain. The drink is equally good when paired with rum or tequila (our hands-down favorite). You can make this by the glass or by the pitcher.

Serves6

CostModerate

Easy

Total Timeunder 30 minutes

Kid FriendlyYes

Recipe Coursebeverage

Type of Dishalcoholic beverage, beverage, cocktails, juicer, non-alcoholic beverage

Ingredients

½ medium seedless watermelon (5 pounds)
2 cups lemonade, homemade or good-quality prepared
12 ounces vodka, tequila, or rum (optional)

Instructions

Cut the watermelon flesh into chunks and, working in batches, puree in a blender until liquified, Strain through a fine sieve to remove the pulp; you should have about 4 cups of juice. Combine the watermelon juice and the lemonade in a 5-quart pitcher.
To make individual cocktails. fill a shaker with ice. Add 1 cup of the watermelon-lemonade mixture and 2 ounces of alcohol. Shake vigorously. Strain into a tall glass filled with ice or a chilled martini glass.