Melon Punch

Maybe I’m obsessing a little over the heat this summer, and trying to stay cool. In all honesty (and if you are a guy…you may want to skip the rest of this paragraph!) I think it has more to do with the fact that I have hit that ‘magical’ time in a “young” girl’s life. You know, the time of life where I have become my own tropical heat wave, from the inside out! Anything that can either keeps me from a hot flash, or at least somewhat lessen the agony (if you can really do so), is on my radar!

Enter this wonderful, cool, refreshing punch. I have made this several times and it is certainly a go to drink for the pool and for a party. I think that the non-alcoholic version is a little too sweet for me so I add in some sparkling water just to cut the sweet a bit. This original recipe came from Divas can Cook . I have adjusted and tweaked according to my tastes and preferences…but this was a great jumping off point and I HIGHLY recommend it!

Melon Punch - Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1 bottle Sparkling white grape juice (for an “adult version” use a light, white wine like a Moscato or Riesling, instead of the grape juice)
• 2 cups clear lemon lime flavored soda (I used Sprite)
• 1 cup lemonade (I used Simply)
• 2 cups sparkling water (I used Pellegrino)
• 1 small ripe watermelon
• 1 small ripe cantaloupe
• 1 small ripe honeydew melon
• Fresh mint leaves (optional)
• 2 limes, sliced, plus more for garnish if desired

Instructions

1. Use a melon baller to scoop out the flesh of the watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew melon. (I always make a ton of these since I love to use the frozen melon as ‘ice cubes’ in infused water – still or sparkling – as well as for iced tea)
2. Place melon balls on a cookie sheet lined with foil.
3. Freeze for several hours.
4. In a pitcher stir together grape juice, soda and lemonade.
5. Place in the fridge to chill.
6. Add a few cups of frozen melon balls to pitcher along with fresh mint leaves and slices of lime.
7. Stir.
8. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
9. Serve cold using additional frozen melon balls as ice cubes.
10. Garnish glasses with lime slice and mint leaf.

Sit back and enjoy!