Skip to main content

Melon Coolers

4.4

(8)

Image may contain Drink Beverage Juice Lemonade Beer Alcohol Cocktail and Orange Juice
Photo by John Kernick

Mexican aguas frescas, or "fresh waters," made from all kinds of fresh fruit, flowers, or herbs, are a great way to beat the heat. This cantaloupe version gets additional vim from a splash of club soda.

Cooks' note:

Drink, without club soda, can be made 4 days ahead and chilled. Add soda just before serving.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    2 1/4 hr

  • Yield

    Makes 8 drinks

Ingredients

1 (4-pound) cantaloupe, seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes (about 8 cups)
1 1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon sugar
1 quart chilled club soda or seltzer
Garnish: lime wedges, honeydew melon slices

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Purée cantaloupe in batches with water in a blender. Transfer to a colander lined with a kitchen towel (not terry cloth) or fine cheesecloth set over a deep bowl and let drain 1 hour. Gather ends of towel and very gently squeeze any remaining juice from melon, then discard solids.

    Step 2

    Stir in lime juice, sugar, and 1/4 tsp salt and chill 1 hour.

    Step 3

    Divide among 8 (10-ounces) glasses and top off with club soda.

Read More
We’ve got baked cheddar and leek pasta, maple-mustard sheet-pan salmon, and a strawberry shortcake roll.
You don’t need melted chocolate to make a good brownie
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Like lemony baked salmon and strawberry shortcake roll.
Like spicy carrot rigatoni and weeknight-fancy ravioli with peas.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Thinly sliced and cooked hot and fast, pork tenderloin is the juicy, cook-quicking weeknight champion of this vegetable-heavy stir-fry.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.