Recipe: Cantaloupe Liqueur Cocktail
I’ve always looked forward to summer because it means fresh fruit, light drinks, and constant entertaining. After all, no one feels like inviting everyone over in the dead of winter, when you’d rather be bundled up in blankets. Once it’s sunny again, it calls for a celebration — and everyone knows that every celebration needs a signature drink that’s Pinterest perfect and ready for each and every Instagram filter.
No matter the occasion, if you’re looking to capture the flavor of summer in a single drink, we have the perfect cocktail for you.
I grew up in Florida, which means that I’m an expert at light summertime cocktails. No one wants a heavy dark liquor when the temperature is quickly climbing up to 100. Now that I’m a New Yorker, I can be more seasonal in my libations. After surviving the icy New York winter, I’m more than ready for fresh fruit and anything bright that screams “summer,” which is why I’m obsessed with the color of this cantaloupe cocktail. Goodbye peppermint and down jackets that look like comforters, hello outdoor drinking season and drinks that taste like sunshine.
You may have other long-ago associations with Everclear®, so you might not know why it’s the choice of mixologists and makers who are interested in capturing the true flavor of their ingredients for a sophisticated drink. Because it is so pure, it is the perfect infuser for craft cocktail ingredients, distilling the taste of the ingredient without the heavy taste of alcohol.
Equal parts light and flavorful, this cocktail is my absolute new favorite. The super-simple combination of sweet cantaloupe and tart grapefruit is brought to life with Everclear®. Its pure ingredients draw out the delicate melon flavor, and without a colored liquor it lets the fruit truly shine.
While you probably won’t have all the ingredients lying around in your cabinets, a quick trip to the corner store will give you everything you need to make a fresh, sophisticated summertime refreshment. Whether it’s a casual get together or you’re prepping for a party, all of your friends will be wildly impressed with your mixologist skills.
Cheers to blue skies and summertime!
Cantaloupe Liqueur
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 3 cups
peeled and cubed Cantaloupe
- 1 1/2 cups
Everclear®
- 1 cup
sugar
- 1 cup
water
Instructions
In a 1- quart mason jar combine the 3 cups of Cantaloupe and the Everclear®. It will fill all the way to the top. Store in a cool dry location for 5 days, turning the jar and lightly shaking daily. On day 5 strain out the cantaloupe pieces and discard.
In a small saucepan combine the water and sugar over high heat until the sugar is just dissolved. Cool.
Once cool add to the cantaloupe liqueur.
Cantaloupe Liqueur Cocktail Assembly
Makes 1 drink
Serves 1
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 2 ounces
silver tequila
- 1 ounce
fresh squeezed ruby red grapefruit
- 1 ounce
cantaloupe liqueur
- 1
lime wedge
Instructions
In a rocks glass filled with ice, add the tequila, fresh squeezed red grapefruit juice and cantaloupe liqueur. Stir until well combined and evenly chilled. Squeeze in the lime wedge and serve.
Recipe Notes
- It makes a very pretty pale cantaloupe colored cocktail with a delicate melon flavor and aroma.
- Our Cocktail recipe yields 1 drink, but the Liqueur is enough for a whole batch, so it’s perfect for a party.
What’s your go-to summer cocktail? Tell us in the comments!
For more refreshing summer cocktails, visit makeityourown.com or like Everclear® on Facebook!
Recipe Developer: Maureen Petrosky