Summer Watermelon Cooler

Ingredients

• 5 cups seeded and cubed watermelon (about 3-1/2 lb.)
• 1/3 cup raspberry flavored syrup (or cherry syrup)
• ice cubes (or Watermelon Ice Cubes-recipe below)

• 1 (1 liter) bottle carbonated water, chilled (club soda, mineral water, soda water)
• raspberry flavored syrup (or cherry syrup) (optional)

Directions

1. 1

   In a blender or food processor bowl combine the watermelon and the 1/3 cup syrup. Cover and blend or process until smooth. Press mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a medium bowl; discard pulp. Cover and refrigerate mixture at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.

2. 2

   To serve, add ice cubes to ten 12-ounce glasses. Pour enough watermelon mixture into glasses to fill half full. Add enough carbonated water to fill glasses. If desired, sweeten individual servings with additional syrup; stir to dissolve syrup. Makes 10 servings.

3. 3

   Watermelon Ice Cubes:.

4. 4

   Use these cubes to keep coolers cold without thinning outflavor. Cut 1-inch cubes from watermelon flesh. Place the melon cubes in a single layer in a 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Freeze for 1 to 2 hours or until firm. If storing longer than 4 hours, transfer cubes to a self-sealing plastic freezer bag or freezer container and freeze until ready to use.