Summer Mocktails: Cantaloupe Mocktini/Martini

The fourth in our series of mouth-watering summer mocktails from Beth of Tasty Yummies.

This summer my husband and I decided to invest in a CSA with local organic farm, Porter Farms. It has been an incredibly rewarding experience on so many levels and I have really been loving the many options of fruits and veggies we get each week. It has been fun getting things that I don’t normally make a point to buy at the market on my own and playing around with new recipes using the different foods.

The last couple of weeks we have been getting different melons and they have all been delicious and so sweet. As much as I love melons, especially watermelon and cantaloupe, they aren’t something I typically buy for some reason. I have been really enjoying just cutting them up and eating them fresh, but this week I was inspired to create a summertime drink with the incredible cantaloupe.

This super simple and refreshing mocktini is a real treat. The bright tangy flavor from the lime pairs so nicely with the smooth and sweet flavor from the cantaloupe. My cantaloupe was so sweet, I barely needed to sweeten the drink, so I just added a few drops of liquid stevia to offset the tartness from the lime. You can use your own judgement on how much, if any, sweetener or sugar you add, since it will depend on the sweetness of your melon.

To make this mocktini a traditional martini, add some vodka and Grand Marnier to the shaker with the ice. Topped off with the light fizziness from the sparkling water and a lime wedge garnish and you have the perfect summertime treat.

Cantaloupe Mocktini / Martini

Serves 4

1 small cantaloupe or 1/2 of a medium to large one

1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice

1-2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup or 7-10 drops of liquid stevia (sweeten to taste with your favorite sweetener, you may need very little depending on how sweet your cantaloupe is)

Approximately 1 cup sparkling water

Ice

Optional: To make this a “spirited” martini, add in 4 ounces of vodka and 1 ounce of grand mariner (or triple sec)

Scoop the seeds out and cut the flesh of the cantaloupe into small cubes. Add to the food processor or high speed blender with the lime juice and sweetener of your choice (if necessary). Puree until smooth.

Pour through a strainer to remove the pulp then fill a cocktail shaker halfway with the cantaloupe juice (you may have to do this in batches depending on the size of your shaker). Add a few ice cubes and shake – this is when you would add your liquor, if you are so inclined.

Pour into chilled martini glasses, filling about 2/3 of the way full with the cantaloupe mixture and then top with sparkling water. Give it a swirl and serve with a lime garnish.

For more of Beth’s recipes visit her blog Tasty Yummies.

More healthy recipes from the BLDG 25 Blog.