Martha Stewart’s watermelon punch adds instant wow factor – and it calls for just two ingredients

If you’re looking for a seasonal drink that’s show-stopping and yet incredibly simple to make, Martha Stewart’s watermelon punch is an absolute winner.

Just like all the best summer cocktail recipes, this zingy punch is made to impress, but doesn't require a long list of ingredients or a lot of effort with muddling, mixing and garnishing, (besides a little elbow grease to scoop out that watermelon flesh).

Whether you’re catering a cookout or you’re just looking for a kid-friendly treat, Martha’s watermelon punch is a family classic. You can also make it boozy for the adults and non-drivers, by topping it up with a splash of tequila or vodka.

The fact that it can be served in the hollowed-out watermelon also means you'll make the most of the fruit, save on washing up (no punch bowl required), and create a really striking summer table centerpiece or addition to your drinks cart.

Martha Stewart’s Watermelon Punch

Ingredients

• 1 seedless watermelon (around 14lb)
• 3 cups seltzer

Method

• To prepare the watermelon itself, start by trimming the bottom so it sits flat, before cutting the top third off. This will serve as your punch bowl. Use a large, sharp knife to avoid injury, such as this stainless steel watermelon knife from Amazon.
• Remove the watermelon flesh (this is easiest using an ice cream scoop) and blend it into a puree.
• Strain the liquid through a fine sieve and discard any solids. You should be left with about 9 cups of juice in total.
• Refrigerate the juice and rind separately. (Cover the watermelon in plastic wrap first). They'll need a minimum of 1 hour to chill, but you can refrigerate for up to 1 day if you're making the punch in advance.
• To serve, combine the watermelon juice with the seltzer, pour into the watermelon, and add ice.
• If you feel like turning your juice into a cocktail, stir in 3 cups of tequila or vodka and replace the seltzer with Prosecco.

While plenty of fresh fruits shine in the warmer months, nothing says summer quite like the humble watermelon – and Martha's watermelon punch really is a failsafe recipe to add to your seasonal rotation. Blend up the fruit, add your seltzer (or Prosecco), and pour it all back into your ready-made punch bowl for a speedy summer showstopper.

Shop everything you need to perfect Martha's watermelon punch

To get the very best punch, it's all about the fruit – so you'll want to know how to pick a watermelon and exactly how to store watermelon, too, to ensure your watermelon is in prime condition.