Melon juice made from shredded cantaloupe and a touch of simple syrup is a bright, refreshing drink you can enjoy any time of year. Full of natural fruit flavor, it’s an easy, hydrating option for warm days or a light breakfast.
Even in winter, Central Texas can start to feel warm and humid. With summers that can get very hot and sticky, a cool, fruity drink is always welcome. I work from home, so I can avoid the worst of the heat and enjoy a chilled glass of melon juice whenever I like.
This simple agua fresca highlights cantaloupe’s juicy sweetness. It’s quick to make, uses minimal ingredients, and can be adjusted to your preferred level of sweetness or creaminess.
What you’ll need
This recipe calls for just three basic ingredients: cantaloupe, simple syrup, and water.
If you prefer a less refined sweetener, substitute honey or agave for the simple syrup. You can also adjust the syrup amount to suit your taste.
Extract more flavor
A lot of flavor hides in the seeds and inner pulp. Cut the melon in half and scoop out the seeds and soft inner pulp into a bowl. Add about 1 cup of water and press the pulp with the back of a spoon to release the juices. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, reserve the liquid, and discard the seeds.
How to shred
Hold the cantaloupe half firmly and use a fruit shredder to create thin strands of flesh. If you don’t have a shredder, peel the cantaloupe and use the large holes of a box grater or pulse chunks briefly in a food processor until shredded.
Simple syrup
Make a simple syrup so the drink sweetens evenly. Granulated sugar doesn’t dissolve well in cold liquids and can settle at the bottom. To make syrup, combine equal parts sugar and water in a small saucepan, heat until the sugar dissolves, then cool completely before using.
Quick tip
If you plan to serve the drink over ice, make it slightly sweeter to account for dilution as the ice melts.
Adding Milk to Cantaloupe Juice
Be aware that melons contain compounds that can interact with milk proteins and produce a slightly bitter or acrid taste if mixed too early. If you’d like a creamier drink, stir in milk or a milk alternative just before serving. A squeeze of lemon or lime also brightens the flavor.
Serving suggestions
Serve this melon juice chilled or over ice for the most refreshing result. It pairs well with light snacks for merienda. Adjust sweetness by varying the amount of simple syrup or water to suit your taste.
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Melon Juice
Ingredients
- 1 large cantaloupe
- 1 cup simple syrup
- 4 cups cold water
For the Simple Syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Cut the cantaloupe in half crosswise and scoop out the seeds and inner pulp.
- Place the seeds and pulp in a bowl with 1 cup of water and mash with the back of a spoon to extract the juice. Strain through a colander and discard the solids.
- Shred the cantaloupe flesh using a fruit shredder, grater, or food processor into thin strands.
- In a pitcher, combine the shredded melon, the extracted pulp juice, simple syrup, and the remaining 3 cups of cold water. Stir well and refrigerate until chilled.
For the Simple Syrup
- Combine sugar and 1 cup water in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Remove from heat and let cool completely before using.