Watermelon Mint Lemonade

Ingredients

• 0.5 cup granulated sugar
• 10 cup seedless watermelon, cubed in 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice
• 0.5 cup loosely packed mint leaves
• lemon slices
• fresh mint sprigs

Directions

1. 1Make a simple syrup by combining 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small pan over medium-high heat.
2. 2Heat the liquid just until the sugar is complete dissolved, 5-6 minutes. Set the simple syrup aside to cool.
3. 3Pulse the watermelon in a blender until smooth. (You may need to do this in 2 batches.) Strain the pureed watermelon through a fine mesh colander into a large bowl. Discard the pulp and rinse the blender container out with water.
4. 4Return the watermelon liquid to the blender. Add the lemon juice and mint and blend until the mint is very finely chopped.
5. 5Transfer the Watermelon Mint Lemonade to a juice pitcher. Slowly adjust for your desired sweetness by adding simple syrup to the lemonade.
6. 6Chill until serving. Serve over ice, with lemon slices and fresh mint as a garnish.