Shochu Watermelon Lemonade

Shochu is a Japanese or Korean spirit typically distilled from barley, sweet potatoes, or rice. It has a light, slightly sweet, nutty flavor. You can substitute vodka, if you like.
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  4 cups peeled, seeded, and cubed watermelon (from about 4-1/2 lb. unpeeled watermelon), plus thin wedges for garnish
  
  


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  3/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from 4 or 5 lemons), plus thin lemon slices for garnish
  
  


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  3/4 cup granulated sugar
  
  


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  1 cup shochu, chilled; more to taste
  
  

Purée the watermelon in a blender or food processor until smooth. Strain the purée through a fine sieve—you’ll need 2 cups of watermelon juice. In a large bowl or pitcher, mix the watermelon juice, lemon juice, sugar, shochu, and 4 cups water until the sugar is dissolved. Refrigerate until well chilled, at least 2 hours and up to 6 hours.

When ready to serve, add more shochu to taste, if necessary. Serve in tall glasses filled with ice, garnished with a slice of lemon and a wedge of watermelon.