Cantaloupe Cooler

When the heat index climbs and plain water just isn’t cutting it, this is what you reach for.

Ripe melon chunks get blitzed in a blender with fresh mint leaves, a squeeze of lime, ice cold water, and ice cubes until frosty smooth.

No added sugar needed. A ripe cantaloupe, honeydew, or crenshaw melon brings all the sweetness on its own.

The mint and lime give it a bright, herbal edge that keeps it from tasting like watered-down fruit. A tiny pinch of sea salt brings the melon flavor into sharper focus.

Drink it right away, though. Like all fresh blended drinks, it separates if it sits.

Kitchen Tips

• Chill the melon chunks in the fridge before blending. Cold fruit means a frostier, thicker drink without needing extra ice that dilutes the flavor.
• Pack the mint tightly when measuring. You want a full quarter cup for that aromatic punch.
• Mix melon varieties for a more complex flavor. Half cantaloupe, half honeydew is a knockout combination.