Fresh and light, this cantaloupe mocktail is perfect for summer! A fun non-alcoholic drink that is perfectly sweet, has lots of bubbles, and is just the thing for summer picnics, BBQs and entertaining.
Summer calls for fun drinks to enjoy with friends and family. If cocktails aren't your thing, then I have so many tasty mocktails to choose from, including my peach mocktail for a fruity idea, and my super easy and flavourful elderflower fizz mocktail.
This cantaloupe melon mocktail is the perfect balance of sweetness from the fruit, with a slightly floral taste from the elderflower. Perfect for summer, it doesn't require making a simple syrup, we just blend and combine the juice with the bubbles.
Jump to:
Why this recipe is so good
Fresh and light. Cantaloupe is full of flavour, but has a lightness that works so well as a summer drink.
Quick and easy. No cook time for this mocktail, just a bit of a blend of the melon!
Family friendly. With no alcohol, this is suitable for kids and adults alike.
Healthy. With the fruit and basil, it's actually fun and healthy at the same time.
Ingredients
All the ingredients for the mocktail are in the recipe card below, along with their quantities.
- Cantaloupe melon - choose fresh and ripe so that is has a tasty sweetness.
- Sparkling water - I suggest choosing a plain water rather than already flavoured or one that has a heavy mineral content and taste.
- Elderflower cordial - you can of course use homemade, but if not then I suggest checking ingredients of the brand used to make sure it is suitable.
- Basil leaves - definitely use fresh not dried!
Swaps and variations
Use a different type of melon. Other types such as honeydew would also be very tasty!
Leave out the elderflower cordial. This mocktail is delicious without the cordial if you prefer. My low histamine readers should note that elderflower rates as 0 on the SIGHI list, but you will want to check for other ingredients in the brand you use.
Equipment needed
Blender - to blend the cantaloupe melon, such as a food processor, or I use a Nutribullet.
Fine mesh sieve and bowl - to strain the cantaloupe liquid through.
Step by step instructions
A very easy recipe, this summer melon mocktail takes just ten minutes to come together.
Step 1
Dice the cantaloupe into small pieces. They don't have to be even in size, just small enough to easily blend (image 1).
Step 2
Add the melon and basil leaves to your blender, and blend (image 2).
Step 3
Place a fine mesh sieve over a bowl and pour the melon mixture into the sieve and let the liquid run through (image 3). Discard the melon left in the sieve (or I like to eat it with a spoon!).
Step 4
Pour about ½ inch (adjust to taste preference) of the melon syrup into your glasses (image 4), then top with the elderflower cordial and sparkling water. Stir to combine then serve immediately.
Recipe tips and notes
- Pick a ripe melon! The melon needs to be ripe so that is has a nice sweetness to flavour the drink.
- Adjust the amount of cordial. You can leave altogether, but I think the cordial adds a lovely flavour. Alternatively add a little more to preference.
- Be sure to stir! Give the drink a good stir just before serving so the melon, elderflower cordial and sparkling water mix together.
- Don't skip running the melon through the sieve. Believe me, the first time I made this I tried to skip this step and simply add sparkling water to the blended melon. It bubbled and frothed up and felt like a small science experiment . . .
More mocktails to enjoy
Enjoy many different ideas from my mocktails page, including the very popular blueberry mocktail and the deliciously spicy homemade ginger beer. Some recent recipes:
I'm always in the kitchen, so come join me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to be the first to hear of new recipes! And please do leave a star rating if you have tried the recipe!
Recipe
Cantaloupe mocktail
Equipment
- Fine mesh sieve
- Bowl
Ingredients
- 3 cups cantaloupe melon diced
- 1 teaspoon elderflower cordial
- 1 tablespoon basil leaves
- sparkling water
- ice cubes
Instructions
- Dice the cantaloupe into small chunks.
- Add the cantaloupe and basil to a blender and blend until the melon has broken down into a puree.
- Pour the mixture into a fine mesh sieve over a bowl or jug. Let the liquid run through into the bowl.
- Assemble your glasses and pour the cantaloupe liquid into your glasses. I use about half an inch, but adjust to taste. Then pour on the cordial and sparkling water. Add ice, give it a good stir and serve immediately.
Notes
- Don't be tempted to skip running the melon through a sieve. I tried to the first time I made this, and simply added the mixture from the blender into my glass and topped with the sparkling water. It fizzed and hissed and frothed up. Not a cute mocktail!
- Give the drink a good stir just before serving to combine the melon with the sparkling water. Add ice to taste.
- The cordial is optional, but gives a nice floral flavour.
- Check ingredients of the cordial if you have personal sensitivities, particularly if you follow a low histamine diet.
- melon scores 0 but has a ? as a liberator.
- sparkling water is not rated.
Leave a Reply