There’s nothing like sitting out on my deck on a hot summer day enjoying the fresh air and a cold beverage in hand to cool me off. In summers past, many times that cold beverage may have had a splash or more of something containing alcohol. These days, being 6 months pregnant that’s not an option so I wanted to come up with something non-alcoholic that felt summery and festive.
I can remember one summer sitting outside at a restaurant enjoying the breeze, good friends and good times. On the menu, they served a rosemary infused lemonade. It was so fresh and invigorating! It was the kind of drink you didn’t want to stop drinking. With that memory in mind I thought I might try my hand at making homemade lemonade, having never made it before. Then I took it a step further and decided what if I added watermelon and made that the star? What if? Well, I can tell you that it was a sensational success!
I infused water and sugar with two sprigs of chopped, fresh rosemary. Pureed watermelon with the syrup then both fresh lemon and lime juice. For the finishing touch, I topped it all off with some seltzer to give it a perky fizz. After sampling and sampling some more, I realized that another option would be to infuse the water with fresh mint! Also, this would certainly be fantastic with a splash or two of something boozy for those of you who are not 6 months pregnant.
It was a refreshing drink sure to liven up any party or whisk you away from the stress of your day as you sit on the back deck and sip.
Enjoy!
~K
Rosemary Infused Watermelon Lemonade
1 c. water
2/3 c. sugar
2 sprigs fresh rosemary, leaves stripped and chopped
10 c. cubed watermelon, divided
1/4 c. fresh lime juice, divided
1/2 c. fresh lemon juice, divided
Seltzer water, well chilled
– Combine the water and sugar in a sauce pan over medium heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved.
– Bring to a boil and add the rosemary. Remove from the heat, cover and steep for 30 minutes.
– Strain the rosemary leaves and reserve the syrup.
– Add half of the cubed watermelon, half the lemon juice, half the lime juice and half the rosemary syrup to a blender. Puree until smooth.
– Strain the watermelon mixture into a pitcher.
– Repeat the process with the remaining watermelon, lemon juice, lime juice and rosemary syrup.
– Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve, at least 3 hours.
– To serve, stir the watermelon lemonade. Pour into ice-filled glasses until 3/4 full and top with chilled seltzer.
– Enjoy!
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
I have a similar post except i infused it with jalapeno. I am liking the idea of infusing with rosemary. Should try that too sometime.
Thanks! It’s very refreshing. I went and checked out your post and your watermelon cooler sounds fantastic also!! I’ll definitely have to give that a try.
Everything about this sounds delightful and refreshing!
New to your blog; happy I found you!
Mary xo
Delightful Bitefuls
Hi Mary! Welcome to Food Babbles 🙂 I’m glad you found me also. Thank you for the lovely comment!
i tried this tonight- it’s a beautiful color, but a little too sweet for my taste. if i did it again, i think i’d add less sugar.
I’m so glad you gave it a try! Yes, my husband thought it was a little too sweet for him as well. All personal taste 🙂
This looks fantastic! I have been craving watermelon like crazy lately. This seems like the perfect summer pick me up! Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks Maranda!! Hope you enjoy it. It really is such a nice simple drink.
Hi Kate, I made this recipe for this month’s Secret Recipe Club, using mint instead of the rosemary, and it was fabulous! So glad I was assigned to your blog this month. Thanks for a great recipe!
So happy you enjoyed it! Love the idea of using mint in this lemonade. Yum!
amazing recipe.. my daughter loved it so much.. thnx a lot for posting..
I’m so happy to hear it was enjoyed!