Sparkling Cantaloupe Lemonade

18 Ratings
  • 5 10
  • 4 5
  • 3 1
  • 2 1
  • 1 1
  • 18 Ratings

If you’re looking for a drink that not only tastes but looks like summer in a glass, then look no further. This spicy melon sparkler combines a peppercorn-spiked simple syrup with puréed cantaloupe and sparkling water for a delicious, bright twist on your average lemonade. If you want to tote this along for a picnic or barbecue, make the cantaloupe-lemon-syrup mixture and wait to add the sparkling water until you’re ready to drink up. Shopping tip: look for pink peppercorns near the spices at your grocery store.

By Anna Theoktisto

Gallery

Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe Summary

hands-on:
20 mins
total:
3 hrs 20 mins
Yield:
Serves 8
Nutrition Info
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Ingredients

Directions

  • Combine sugar, peppercorns, and 1 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring, until sugar dissolves; let cool completely. Strain mixture and discard peppercorns. Chill until very cold, about 2 hours.

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  • Place cantaloupe in a blender and process until very smooth, about 1 minute. Pour through a fine-mesh strainer, pressing on solids to remove juice (you should have 1 cup juice). Discard solids.

  • Stir together chilled syrup, cantaloupe juice, and lemon juice in a large pitcher and chill until ready to serve.

  • Just before serving, add sparkling water to chilled juice mixture. Serve over ice, garnished with lemon slices and pink peppercorns.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:
124 calories; fat 0.2g; carbohydrates 32.1g; sugars 30.2g; protein 0.6g; sodium 9.9mg; fiber 0.6g.
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