Melonade (Punch)

By SewingDragonfly

Servings: 30 punch cups

Ingredients

• 1 medium-size ripe watermelon (6 cups juice)
• 1 cup lemon juice
• 2 cups orange juice
• 2 cups sugar dissolved in 2 cups hot water
• 2 (28 oz) bottles 7-Up
• Dash of grenadine (optional)
• Garnish: Sliced limes, whole small strawberries, or a combination of sliced oranges and bananas

Preparation

Step 1

Cut the watermelon in half by scalloping. Remove the seeds, and put the pulp into a blender and puree (in batches). This should yield about 6 cups juice.
Combine the watermelon juice, the lemon and orange juices, and the sugar syrup in a large pitcher. Stir well.
When ready to serve, place some ice cubes in the melon bowl and add the juice mixture. Carefully mix in the 7-Up. You may want to add some grenadine for color.
Garnish the punch with fruit, and ladle into punch cups.


Watermelon Punch Bowl
This makes a decorative container for any kind of party punch-especially pretty if you use pink or green or clear glass punch cups.
Using a sharp knife, cut 1 ½” zigzags around the center of the melon from end to end. Be sure to cut as deep into the melon as you can. Pull the melon apart and scoop out the pulp with a large spoon.
You can use both parts if you cut the melon perfectly in half. Or for one large bowl, make the cut closer to the top so you have a deeper bowl.