Batch cocktails let you spend time with your friends at a party instead of playing bartender. Sweeten up your summer gatherings with Watermelon Gin Punch.
Place watermelon cubes in the jar of blender and process until smooth.
8 cups cubed watermelon
Strain watermelon puree through a fine mesh sieve, pushing pulp against sieve with a spatula or back of a large spoon to extract as much juice as possible. Discard pulp.
Refrigerate if not using immediately. Makes approximately 4 cups of watermelon juice.
To make Punch:
Add mint to a tall pitcher and muddle to release the oils.
12 fresh mint leaves
Pour in watermelon juice, simple syrup, lemon juice, and gin. Stir to mix.
4 cups fresh watermelon juice, 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, ½-¾ cup simple syrup, 2 cups gin
Fill a glass with ice, add punch, and top with club soda.
Club Soda
Stir to combine and garnish with a mint leaf.
Notes
Ingredient Notes:Watermelon juice is nothing more than fresh chunks of watermelon processed in the blender until completely pureed. Straining the pulp is completely optional but does result in a smoother drink.Fresh lemon juice is always best for cocktails. Bottled juice contains preservatives that alter the flavor.Fresh mint is a must. Luckily, mint grows prolifically (or invasively, depending on how you see it), so plant it in its own pot if you can or it might take over other plants. Large, just-picked bundles are always available at the store or farmer’s market during summer, too. Simple syrup can be purchased at any grocery store by the other cocktail mixers. It is super easy (and less expensive) to make your own simple syrup at home.This Watermelon Punch will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.Simple syrup amount will vary. Start with ½ cup of simple syrup and add additional as needed up to 1 cup total. Most in-season watermelons are sweet enough on their own that you don't need a lot of simple syrup. Add additional simple syrup only if you discover your melon is not as sweet as you thought and you need more syrup to round out the flavor of the cocktail.Have leftover watermelon juice? Sip it by itself with a squeeze of lime juice for an amazingly refreshing non-alcoholic drink. It's the perfect thirst-quencher after a long, hot summer day!