Watermelon-Ginger Punch

Loosely based on a Korean watermelon and ginger beverage, this refreshingly sweet drink will maximize lycopene if you allow the whole fruit to ripen at room temperature instead of putting it in the fridge right after purchase. You can chill the punch (and any leftover melon) for up to two days without significantly reducing the amount of antioxidant in the fruit.

Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 1 cup)

Ingredients

• 8  cups  seedless watermelon cubes, divided
• 1/2  cup  fresh lime juice
• 1/2  cup  sugar
• 2  tablespoons  grated peeled fresh ginger
• 18  (1-inch) seedless watermelon balls
• 1  cup  sparkling water, chilled
• Cracked ice, optional

Preparation

1. Put 4 cups watermelon in a blender; process until smooth. Strain through a sieve into a pitcher; discard solids. Repeat procedure with remaining watermelon cubes. Combine lime juice, sugar, and ginger in a bowl; stir with a whisk until sugar dissolves. Add lime juice mixture and watermelon balls to watermelon mixture; stir in sparkling water just before serving. Serve over cracked ice, if desired.

Nutritional Information

Calories:

143 (3% from fat)

Fat:

0.3g (sat 0.0g,mono 0.1g,poly 0.1g)

Protein:

1.6g

Carbohydrate:

36.8g

Fiber:

1.1g

Cholesterol:

0.0mg

Iron:

0.6mg

Sodium:

11mg

Calcium:

22mg