Friday Cocktail Hour: Boozy (or not) Cantaloupe Aqua Fresca
Cantaloupe Aqua Fresca Mocktail is a refreshing beverage made of pulverized fruit, strained and lightly sweetened. Perfect for a warm afternoon or as a non-alcoholic alternative to a frozen cocktail.
What is an Aqua Fresca?
A Cantaloupe Aqua Fresca Mocktail is simply melon that is pulverized into a liquid, that is flavored with mint, ginger, lime or lemon juice and lightly sweetened. Serve chilled. Because of their water content, melons work best: watermelon, cantaloupe, honey dew.
If you have never made an Aqua Fresca here is what you do:
Chop up a bunch of watery fruits such as watermelon, cantaloupe or honey dew. Pulverize in a high power blender. In a mesh strainer or fine colander strain the solids from the juice over a large bowl.
Sweetened with a simple syrup- I infuse mine with lemon peel- here’s how. Add in lime juice, ginger or mint or basil to cut the sweetness and add a little zing.
Tips to make this recipe:
- Use fresh ingredients- ginger and lemon really brighten the drink, so do not use bottled or jarred.
- Press the juice through the sieve with the help of a rubber spatula.
- Substitute agave if you do not want to use simple syrup
- Serve aqua frescas ice cold.
Equipment needed to make an Aqua Fresca:
- High Power blender
- Fine mesh strainer
- Juicer or reamer for the citrus fruit. Buy my favorite HERE
- Microplane for the ginger
Other mocktails you may like to try:
Sparkling Blood Orange & Lime juice cocktail
Cantaloupe Aqua Fresca Mocktail
Course: Cocktails, MOST POPULAR RECIPES, Summer RecipesCuisine: MexicanDifficulty: Easy4
servings20
minutes0
minutes53
kcalMake an aqua fresca the easy way with cantaloupe, lime juice, ginger sweetened with simple syrup! Just chop, blend, strain & enjoy.
Ingredients
1 large cantaloupe, peeled and seeded
2 TBSP Freshly grated ginger
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 TBSP simple syrup or agave- optional
Directions
- Place peeled and chopped cantaloupe and ginger in a high power blender and process on high speed until liquified. Over a large bowl, press the mixture through a fine mesh strainer coaxing the juice with a scraper.
- Pour into a large pitcher. Add in lime, lemon juice and simple syrup to taste. Stir well to combine.
- Into old fashioned glasses filled with ice, pour in 1 oz of tequila per glass. Add in juice. Stir.
- Serve immediately.
- We recommend not adding spirits to the juice pitcher in case you would like to enjoy it with breakfast.
Notes
- You can always add spirits to this if desired. Tequila or light rum makes an Aqua Fresca extra fun.
I am a big fan of fresh and clean tasting Aqua Frescas- strained juice primarily made from melons sweetened with sugar or a simple syrup. I made two other recipes last year.
