WATERMELON LEMONADE

1 & 1/2 lbs. seedless watermelon, rind removed

Zest of 1 lemon

3/4 Cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/2 Cup honey

1 & 1/2 Cups cold water

1 lemon, thinly slice for garnish

In a blender, puree watermelon until smooth.

Set a mesh strainer over a bowl and pour the pureed watermelon through it.  Stir the pulp to let as much liquid as possible drain into the bowl.  Discard the pulp*

Pour the watermelon juice into a large pitcher and add the zest.

In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice and honey until honey is dissolved.  Stir into watermelon juice, then add water.

Cover and refrigerate until very cold.

Serve over ice, garnish with lemon slice.

Serves 4

*I didn't strain the watermelon juice at all, so it came out like a slushy rather than a juice--yum!

from "The Oprah Magazine Cookbook"

"In watermelon sugar the deeds were done and done again as my life is done in watermelon sugar."

--Richard Brautigan