Unusual Start: The Smell of Summer in Your Glass
Ever notice the way watermelon smells? That burst of sweet, greenish freshness when you crack one open? It’s like biting into a cooler filled with sunshine and grass. There’s a moment during summer when I just want to bottle that smell, keep it on hand—so I do this. Make lemonade using watermelon instead of just squeezing lemons. It’s not just a fruit blended in. It’s about capturing that scent, the cool, slightly gritty texture of watermelon’s flesh as you scoop it. No fancy gadgets, no fuss. Just a spoon, a glass, and feeling like summer slipped through your fingers and into your drink. I don’t think about this as a recipe, honestly. It’s more like collecting a moment, a scent, a memory, maybe even a reason to keep the kitchen window open a little longer.
Watermelon Lemonade
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Place the cubed watermelon flesh into the blender.
- Blend on high speed until the mixture is smooth and frothy, about 30 seconds. The puree should be bright pink with no large chunks.
- Set a strainer over a large jug or pitcher and pour the blended watermelon through it, pressing gently with a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the pulp or save for another use.
- Add the freshly squeezed lemon juice and sugar or honey (if using) to the strained watermelon juice. Stir well until the sweetener dissolves completely.
- Pour in the cold water and give the mixture a final stir. Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity as needed.
- Serve immediately over ice or refrigerate until chilled. The lemonade will have a vibrant pink color with a refreshing aroma of summer fruit.
Sometimes I think the best drinks aren’t about complexity but about catching a little piece of summed-up summer. There’s no better way to do that than with something that smells like a watermelon on a hot day. Or maybe that’s just me chasing the promise of those lazy, sun-dipped afternoons.