Watermelon Lemonade Punch
A show-stopping summer punch served right from a hollowed watermelon shell. This vibrant, thirst-quenching drink layers pureed watermelon, zesty lemonade and a splash of grenadine for color, then tops off with lemon-lime soda for effervescence. It’s my go-to for backyard BBQs—guaranteed to turn heads and cool down guests on the hottest days.
| American |
| Beverage / Party Drink |
| By Adam Rossi |
Ingredients:
For the Watermelon Shell & Puree:
- 1 large watermelon (about 25 lb.), uncut
- 2 cups cold water
For the Flavor Base:
- 1 (12 oz.) can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
- ¼ cup grenadine syrup
To Finish:
- 1–2 (32 oz.) bottles lemon-lime carbonated beverage, chilled
20–24 (8-oz) servings
20 minutes
overnight chill
Easy
Tools We Use:
Instructions:
Prepare the Melon Shell:
- Select a watermelon about 20 inches long with a flat base so it sits steady.
- The day before serving, use a sharp knife to cut an 8-inch sawtooth-edged oval in the top; reserve this lid.
Scoop & Puree:
- Using a long-handled spoon, scoop out all the pulp into a large bowl; discard seeds.
- Working in batches, place about ¼ of the pulp into a blender or food processor; blend until smooth.
- Repeat until you have about 12 cups of watermelon puree.
Mix the Base:
- Return the puree to the hollowed melon shell.
- Stir in 2 cups cold water, thawed lemonade concentrate and grenadine syrup until fully combined.
Chill Overnight:
- Replace the cut-out lid.
- Refrigerate the filled watermelon shell overnight to meld flavors and chill thoroughly.
Finish & Serve:
- Just before serving, remove the lid.
- Pour in chilled lemon-lime soda until the shell is about ¾ full.
- Stir gently in an up-and-down motion to combine.
- Ladle punch into cups and garnish as desired.
Chef's Tips:
- Freeze some watermelon chunks in ice cube trays; add to cups to keep punch cold without diluting.
- For extra depth, muddle a handful of fresh mint or basil into the puree before chilling.
- Use a melon baller on reserved scraps to float colorful melon balls in the punch.
Essential Cookware Sets:
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve alongside grilled shrimp skewers for a light summer combo.
- Pair with fresh fruit salsa and cinnamon-sugar tortilla chips.
- Offer virgin mojito mix-ins (mint, lime wedges) for a DIY cocktail station.
Storage:
- The watermelon shell can be prepped and filled up to 24 hours ahead.
- Leftover punch (without soda) stores in a sealed pitcher in the fridge for 2–3 days.
- Soda-topped punch is best served immediately; reserve soda until service.
Dietary Adaptations:
- Vegan: All ingredients are naturally vegan—just ensure grenadine is vegan-friendly.
- Low-Sugar: Swap lemonade concentrate for a no-sugar lemonade and use diet lemon-lime soda.
- Spiked Version: Add 2 cups light rum or vodka when you stir in the soda for an adult twist.
Nutrition Facts:
per serving
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 120 kcal |
| Total Carbohydrate | 30 g |
| – Sugars | 28 g |
| Protein | 1 g |
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 25 mg |
