Hard Watermelon Lemonade

Hard Watermelon Lemonade

For 6 servings of hard watermelon lemonade:

  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 3 pounds of watermelon
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice
  • 6 shots of tequila
  • 6 skewers of watermelon cubes and mint leaves for garnish

To make the simple syrup, combine the sugar and water in a saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring, until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.

Slice off and discard the rind from the watermelon. Cut the flesh into chunks, removing as many seeds as you can. Liquefy the watermelon in a food processor or a blender, in batches as necessary, then pour the juice through a sieve set over a bowl. (You should have about 3 cups of watermelon juice.) Add the lemon juice and simple syrup and stir. Pour into a pitcher and chill until ready to serve. Stir before serving.

For each serving, fill a tall ice-filled glass with lemonade. Add 1 shot of tequila and stir with a long spoon. Garnish each glass with a skewer of watermelon cubes.