The Pink Lady!

It started out almost 5 years ago. I have always loved watermelon and I have always wanted to make something very special out of it.  For years and years I have always "hacked" into a watermelon and gobbled up as much as I could eat, plus a few more bites. I can easily take down a whole watermelon. But that was it, nothing more, a messy treat and nothing more.

But, about 5 years ago when I was living in Indianapolis, I had a juicer. It made some very good juice, apple and carrot juice and lemon and orange and lime juice, anything you could imagine.  So the idea of watermelon juice came to me one day as I sat down to eat watermelon. The first few attempts were good, not great. But with the addition of some mint and lemon, I had a great juice. 

Jump ahead to present day, well... yesterday.  Dinner at mom and dad's house and I needed a great healthy dessert.  The pink lady.   These recipes I will give you can be used as you wish, but I will warn you, if you make this, you will be hooked!  

The Pink Lady

1 medium round watermelon, chunked

1 large handful of fresh mint leaves, about 1 cup

extra mint for garnish

1 lemon, juiced and zested

1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons sugar

Options: 

vodka

In a food processor add together mint leaves, watermelon and 2 tablespoons sugar. Process the watermelon until it is the consistency of watery applesauce.  You will have do this is batches so don't overload the food processor. 

Pour the mixture into a colander over a large soup pot.  Save the juice and toss out what is left in the colander.  Add the lemon juice and lemon zest into the watermelon juice. If the watermelon is very sweet do not add any more sugar, but if your watermelon needs a little more flavor add the 1/3 cup sugar or splenda.

Add medium-high heat, heat the watermelon juice for about 15 minutes.  Stir occasionally.  Cool in the refrigerator.

This is were you have the option to make just juice or a cocktail or you could make popsicles or just a fruity icy desert.

For the juice:  Just refrigerate and serve with a sprig of mint and a slice of lemon.

For the popsicles: Pour the cooled juice into popsicle molds and freeze for 24 hours.

For the cocktail: Sugar the rim of each glass. Pour in 1/3 to 1/2 cup of chilled vodka with each glass of watermelon juice and top with a small slice of lemon and mint.

For the fruity ice dessert: Pour the watermelon juice into a 9 x 13 casserole dish and put it in the freezer for 2 to 3 hours. Every 30 minutes, scrape the ice that forms with a fork for a soft, icy mixture.  Cover with plastic wrap. This can be made 1 day ahead.  Serve in a parfait glass with mint.  Yum!