Watermelon Punch in a Pitcher

The best-looking watermelons at the farm stand are often gorgeous, heavy and huge.   Get it home, slice some and pass it around—and you’ve still got a LOT of watermelon left.  Here’s something easy, delicious and good looking to do with the rest.  Add some white rum or other light alcohol for the ‘house drink’ at an impromptu barbecue—or leave out the bitters and serve as-is for the kiddos.

• 8 cups watermelon juice from one mid-size, very ripe, seedless watermelon
• 1 qt pineapple juice (32 oz)
• ½ cup lemon or lime juice
• 1 ½ cup simple syrup (1 cup water to 1 cup sugar—heat water and add sugar, stir ‘til melted—then cool)
• Angostura Bitters to taste (start with 4 tblsp—up to 1 cup or more)

Blend watermelon chunks in food processor until smooth—strain and discard solids—store in glass jars and refrigerate overnight—

Pour off some of the water from the jars—measure 8 cups of fruit juice (if needed, add back some of the discarded water to get 8 cups total)

Add all remaining ingredients and taste for balance—store in glass jars and refrigerate—

To serve:  to 8 cups of juice, add 1 to 4 cups white rum (to taste) —fill pitchers and pour into small cups or glasses, over 1 ice cube

The Kitchen Hive