Frozen Watermelon Cilantro Limeade

By Carrie Farias

Have you ever purchased a watermelon and cut it open only to find out that it is not sweet at all? This happens to me every now and then. In fact, Gabrielle was just telling me Friday night that whenever I have to take a fruit salad somewhere the fruit is sweet...make it home, not sweet. I guess it's just my luck. So a few weeks ago I purchased a watermelon such as this and it sat for days. No one would eat it! So instead of throwing it away (like I normally would have done), I experimented with a way to utilize it instead. 

This Frozen Watermelon Cilantro Limeade was so light and refreshing and the kids loved it! In fact, after I made this, it was gone the next day. Hubby was away on his business trip at the time so he didn't get to try it, but I promised him to make it again the next time I got an unsweetened watermelon on a hot day. I also snuck in a little rum in one of my drinks see how that tasted and it made a wonderful frozen alcoholic drink too. 




Frozen Watermelon Cilantro Limeade
Prep Time: 10 minutes                                          Yield: 4 cups
Cook Time: 5 minutes                                            Serving: 1 cup
Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients
For the Frozen Watermelon Cilantro Limeade
6 c. Seedless Watermelon, skin removed and chopped
1/2 c. Simple Syrup, see below
1/4 c. Fresh Cilantro
1 Lime, zest and juice
1 c. Ice 

For the Simple Syrup

1/2 c. Water

1/2 c. Granulated Sugar

Directions

For the Frozen Watermelon Cilantro Limeade

1. Blend the watermelon in a blender for 1 minute; then strain the pulp using a mesh strainer while gathering the liquid into a bowl or a pitcher.  (You should get approximately 3 cups)
2. Rinse out the blender then add the watermelon liquid back in. 
3. Add the simple syrup, cilantro, and lime zest and juice and blend for 30-60 seconds; then add in the ice and blend until frothy. Makes 4 cups. 

For the Simple Syrup

1. Add the water and sugar to a pot and bring to a boil.
2. Stir until all of the sugar has dissolved; then let cool. 

Nutrition Facts
Calories 103 , Carbs 27.1g, Fat 0g, Protein .3g, Fiber .6g, Sugar 25.4g

*Calculations based on ingredients entered into Calorie Count and may not be 100% accurate.

On another note... 
My FIL is having his heart valve replacement surgery early tomorrow morning and will be in the hospital for about a week to recover afterward. Since his situation is high risk, he has to go to another state to have the procedure done. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. xo