Watermelon sparkling drink

A large jug of ice-cold watermelon juice is a true luxury when the mercury soars, and it happens to be an excellent way to put an excess of watermelon to good use. This version is doctored with Angostura bitters – leave it out if your children are thirsty. (Or put them to bed before you start pouring. – Eds)

Serves 6 Preparation time 30 minutes plus cooling time

YOU NEED

• 1kg watermelon flesh, without the peel • juice of 1 lime • 20 drops Angostura bitters • ¼ cup (60ml) sugar • soda water to taste

THIS IS HOW

Remove as many of the watermelon seeds as possible and pulp the flesh in batches. Pour it through a sieve over a large bowl. Add the lime juice and bitters, and stir in the sugar until dissolved. Pour the mixture into a glass jug and chill in the fridge until ice cold. To serve, fill each glass threequarters of the way with the watermelon juice, then top up with soda water and ice. Add more lime juice and/or bitters to taste.