Watermelon Lemonade

"With these icy pink drinks, your summer celebration will be made in the shade."

Make 8 servings.

Ingredients :

• 2 lemons, quartered
• 1 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1/2 medium seedless watermelon (about 9 pounds), rind removed, flesh cut into chunks
• 1 cup vodka (optional)

Directions :

1. Squeeze lemons into a large pitcher; add squeezed lemon quarters. Add mint and sugar; mash with a wooden spoon until mint is bruised and sugar is dissolved.
2. In a blender, puree watermelon in batches until smooth; pour through a fine-mesh sieve into pitcher (you should have about 8 cups of juice). Stir to combine. (Refrigerate, covered, up to 3 days.) Add vodka, if using; serve over ice.