Hotter than H-E-C-K Lemonade

This recipe could not be any easier! In fact, my 10 year old son Grey taught me how to make this after taking a cooking class at an amazing place in Chicago called The Kids Table. The original recipe that he learned was Raspberry Lemonade, I just happened to have a watermelon in the house. We gave that a try and loved it.
It is a steamy 95 degrees in Chicago today and I thought nothing would taste better than this yummy refreshing drink!

Watermelon Lemonade
Makes 1 pitcher

8 lemons (or 6 lemons and 2 limes)
1/2 seedless watermelon cut into chunks
1-2 bottles of sparkling water
1/3-1/2 cup of sugar (it depends how sweet your watermelon is)
1 cup water

In a food processor or blender puree watermelon with a little of your sparkling water. Strain pureed watermelon into a pitcher. As we found, you have to do this or else the lemonade has an unpleasant texture.

Next juice your lemons or limes into a bowl. Don't worry about the seeds or pulp because you will also strain this into your pitcher.

Depending how sweet your watermelon is, take 1/3 - 1/2 cup of sugar and about 1 cup of water and heat to just a boil on the stove. Set aside for a few minutes and let cool. As soon as your sugar water is lukewarm, add to your lemonade.

That's pretty much it! You will have to adjust the flavor a bit to suit your taste. Add more sugar or lemon or even use a little honey instead of sugar. Maybe even a tiny bit of fresh mint would be amazing, I'm going to try that next time!

I hope this helps you cool off wherever you are! Please share any ideas you have for escaping the summer heatwave.
-Marlo