watermelon cooler

June’s Recipe: Watermelon Cooler

How to keep cool on these warm summer days?  Try our Watermelon Coolers!

All types of melons are in season and it is an important factor for this drink because ripe watermelon or other melons offer the sweetest flavor.  You can add more ginger ale (or sprite) and blend it just a bit more to make it supremely slushy.  Substitute cantaloupe or honey dew for a fun flavor twist and more color!

Ingredients

8 cups (1/2-inch) watermelon cubes $

1 1/2 cups ginger ale $

1/3 cup water

1 (6-oz.) can frozen limeade concentrate (or other fruit juice concentrate you enjoy)

Preparation

  1. Place watermelon cubes in a single layer in an extra-large zip-top plastic freezer bag, and freeze 8 hours. Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes.
  2. Process half each of watermelon, ginger ale, water, and limeade concentrate in a blender until smooth; pour mixture into a pitcher. Repeat procedure with remaining half of ingredients; stir into pitcher, and serve immediately.

Honeydew Cooler: Substitute 8 cups (1/2-inch) honeydew melon cubes for watermelon cubes and 1 (6-oz.) can frozen lemonade concentrate for limeade concentrate; proceed as directed.

Per (1-cup) serving: Calories 118; Fat 0.3g (sat 0.1g, mono 0g, poly 0.1g); Protein 1g; Carb 30g; Fiber 1.4g; Chol 0mg; Iron 0.4mg; Sodium 36mg; Calc 15mg.

Cantaloupe Cooler: Substitute 8 cups (1/2-inch) cantaloupe cubes for watermelon, and add 2 tsp. grated fresh ginger to mixture in blender. Proceed as directed.

Per (1-cup) serving: Calories 117; Fat 0.3g (sat 0.1g, mono 0g, poly 0.1g); Protein 1.4g; Carb 29g; Fiber 0.1g; Chol 0mg; Iron 0.5mg; Sodium 32mg; Calc 19mg.