White Watermelon Sangria

This is a cocktail that I threw together last summer when I had a bunch of watermelon left over that I didn't know what to do with!

I always make this with a bottle of "Southern White Wine"  that is from a local winery in Clermont, FL called Lakeridge Winery (I buy it at Publix).  It's a very sweet wine that has a distinct flavor that comes from the type of grape they use.  If you use another white wine it will be just as good, you just may want to up the amount of sugar to your taste.

• 1 Bottle of sweet white wine
• 1/4 cup simple syrup (recipe below)
• 1/4 of a small watermelon cut into 1 inch pieces
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Fresh mint (optional)

So I typically cut the watermelon the night before and put half of it in the freezer so it acts like ice.  The rest of the watermelon put in a blender until it is smooth, then strain it before adding to your pitcher.  Then make the simple syrup by putting equal parts sugar and water into a small pan and bringing up to a simmer...once the sugar dissolves you are done!  Just let it cool before adding it to the pitcher.  Once it is cool add the simple syrup, the lemon juice, the frozen watermelon, mint, and bottle of wine and stir!

When you pour into the individual glasses you will get some frozen watermelon that you can eat when you finish your drink...yum!  :)