Watermelon-Mint Coolers

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To turn this drink into a mojito-style cocktail, add 2 cups of white rum to the watermelon mixture. Top with club soda before serving. Work in batches to fill a larger party-size container

Watermelon-Mint Cooler
Photo: Andy Lyons
Prep Time:
20 mins
Microwave Time:
2 mins
Chill Time:
8 hrs
Total Time:
8 hrs 22 mins
Servings:
8

Ingredients

  • 3 ¼ pound seedless watermelon, chopped (5 cups)

  • ¼ cup fresh mint leaves

  • ½ cup sugar

  • ½ cup water

  • ½ cup fresh lime juice

  • ¾ teaspoon aromatic bitters

  • 4 - 5 cup ginger ale, chilled

  • Mint sprigs

Directions

  1. In a blender container place watermelon; puree until smooth. In a small heatproof bowl, use a wooden spoon to mash mint leaves and 1/4 cup of the sugar; add 1/4 cup of the water. Microwave on high until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer mint leaves to blender, leaving sugar in bowl. Blend until chopped.

  2. To bowl of sugar mixture add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup water. Microwave until sugar dissolves into a syrup, 1 to 2 minutes. Cover and chill.

  3. To serve, strain watermelon mixture into an ice-filled pitcher or jar. Stir in syrup, lime juice, and bitters. Divide watermelon mixture among ice-filled glasses; top with ginger ale. garnish with mint sprigs.

Alcoholic version:

Add 2 cups white rum with the mint before chilling for 8 hours. Add club soda or sparkling water in place of ginger ale. Nutrition analysis per serving: 212 calories, 1 g protein, 22 g carbohydrate, 0 g total fat (0 g sat. fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 1 g fiber, 19 g total sugar, 11% Vitamin A, 21% Vitamin C, 28 mg sodium, 2% calcium, 4% iron

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

125 Calories
32g Carbs
1g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 125
% Daily Value *
Sodium 12mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 32g 12%
Total Sugars 29g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 12.8mg 64%
Calcium 21mg 2%
Iron 0.9mg 5%
Potassium 143mg 3%
Folate, total 8.4mcg
Vitamin B-6 0.1mg

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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