Ginger Melon Fizz

Last weekend I had the best luck with cantaloupe.  In my experience, cantaloupe is either under ripe and totally bland or juicy and unforgettably sweet.  I had the latter and it inspired me to create a cocktail that would pair beautifully with or before an Indian meal.  Ginger Melon Fizz is the perfect summer cocktail – the taste of cantaloupe evokes the season, ginger tingles the palate, lime adds a touch of sour, simple syrup a touch of sweet and it is topped off with club soda for effervescence.  It is an added bonus that this is a totally gorgeous cocktail as well – the color of a sunset at the beach.  It is also equally good virgin.  At the end of a day when you need something to revive you this will definitely do the trick.  Enjoy with or without Indian fare!

GINGER MELON FIZZ

Ingredients:
2 c. roughly chopped cantaloupe (about 1/4 of a melon)
1 tbl. finely grated ginger (I used a microplane grater)
2 tbl simple syrup *
1/2 c. water
1 cup vodka
lime wedges
12 oz chilled club soda
mint sprigs for garnish

1. In a blender, puree the melon, ginger, simple syrup and water.

2.  Run the mixture through a sieve.  You should have between 1 – 1 1/3 cups of juice depending on the juiciness of the melon.

3. Add a handful of ice to each cocktail glass, followed by 1/4 cup of melon puree, and 2 oz of vodka.  Squeeze the lime wedge into the drink and then drop it in.  Top with club soda to fill the glass.  Stir well.  Garnish with a mint sprig.

This will make 4-5 cocktails depending on how much juice you produce.

* If you don’t have simple syrup on hand you could also use another liquid sweetener like agave nectar or honey.

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