Food Friday: Watermelon Cooler

It's starting to get cold in the early morning and I'm trying to enjoy watermelon these last few weeks of summer. I usually prefer just taking large bites of chilled watermelon slices or pre-cut into large chunks but steeping  lemon rinds and mint leaves in watermelon juice for several hours in the refrigerator makes a really cool watermelon drink. I don't add sugar or honey to the clear juice which I prepare by blending chunks in the blender and straining the pulp over a fine mesh lined with coffee filter. I fill a glass with a little crushed ice, then add 1/3 part soda, seltzer, or sparkling water [or lambanog/vodka] to 2/3 part clear juice. It's so refreshing, a little minty with just a hint of lemon.

Watermelon Cooler

6 cups watermelon chunks

4 strips lemon zest

a small bunch fresh mint

crushed ice

Perrier sparkling water

lemon slices or mint leaves for garnish

• Place a sieve over a bowl; line sieve with round coffee filter. 
• Blend watermelon in a blender. Pour into the lined sieve. Discard pulp. 
• Place mint in a quart Mason jar. Bruise mint leaves with a wooden spoon. Add the lemon zest and the watermelon juice. Chill in the refrigerator for 4 hours. 
• To serve: In a tall glass, add a quarter full of crushed ice. Stir in watermelon juice and a quarter cup of Perrier. Garnish with mint leaves or lemon slice.