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.
How to Make It
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.
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.