Friday Cocktail Hour: Boozy (or not) Cantaloupe Aqua Fresca
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.
We are getting into melon season again soon- why not try cantaloupe?
We are also getting into warm weather cocktail season. Why not jazz it up with some lively spirits?
Tequila seemed like the natural choice and it did not disappoint. Buyer beware- Just add one ounce. You don’t need too much and you do not want the liquor to mask the fresh taste of the wonderful fruit.
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 sweeteness and add a little zing.
Serve over ice. Add spirits if desired.
Delicious!
Cheers!
Print
cantelope Aqua Fresca
1 cantaloupe- peeled and cut into chunks
juice of 3 limes
juice of 1 lemon
simple syrup to taste or superfine sugar or agave
3-4 oz blanco tequila – we like Fortaleza
lemon or lime slices for garnish
Method- makes 2-3 cocktails
- Place peeled and chopped canteloupe 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.
