July Fourth Mocktail- Sparkling Watermelon Limeade

Watermelon and summer are like day and night, where one is synonymous for the other and cannot co-exist without another. The refreshing taste and the high-water content of watermelon makes it the star fruit of summer. Use it in salads, or drinks or eat as is, the recipe options are abound. 
Today I am sharing an easy, ready in under fifteen minutes mocktail that would be perfect for your next BBQ, July Fourth party or any outdoor picnic. Spike it with some vodka and the adult-version of this drink would be ready in  no time.  







INGREDIENTS:
1 cup sugar 1 cup water
1 cup ice
6 cups diced watermelon, pureed and strained {should yield 3 1/2 cups watermelon juice}
2/3 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
2 cups sparkling water ( I used blueberry flavor, you could use the regular one or any other flavor) 
ice
extra watermelon pieces or lime wedges for garnish
DIRECTIONS:
In a small saucepan, bring water and sugar to boil until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in ice to cool quickly. Pour simple sugar syrup into pitcher with watermelon juice, lime juice and sparkling water. Stir and serve over ice with watermelon and lime wedges. Depending on the watermelons sweetness, you could adjust the amount of sugar syrup.