Cocktailia

Cucumber-cantaloupe cocktail

• 6 to 8 one-inch cubes fresh cantaloupe
• 2 ounces cucumber-infused gin
• 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
• Dash of simple syrup
• Cucumber slice for garnish

Muddle the cantaloupe pieces in a mixing glass. Fill with ice, add the liquid ingredients, and shake until cold. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a slice of cucumber.

Shortly after making a batch of cucumber-infused gin, our CSA delivered a nice big cantaloupe, giving me the idea for this cocktail. The cantaloupe was a good one, very sweet and very juicy, so I was able to muddle the pieces on their own without any added liquid and didn’t need to add much sweetener. If yours isn’t on the juicy side, add a few more pieces and muddle together with the simple syrup. Add another dash of syrup after shaking if the lime’s tartness is too pronounced.

This drink has a gorgeous color and is perfect for a warm afternoon.