Recipes

Persian Cantaloupe Drink

June 15, 2015

Test kitchen director Farideh Sadeghin got the recipe for this refreshing melon drink from her Iranian-born father, who makes it by grating fresh cantaloupe and combining it with water, sugar, and fresh mint. You can add a little gin for a cooling summer cocktail.

Featured in: Chasing the Perfect Persian Rice

Refreshing and simple, grated cantaloupe with fresh water and sugar is perfect on a hot summer's day. Add minced fresh mint or a touch of gin for a little kick.

Yield: makes 6 cups

Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

1 cantaloupe (about 3 lbs.)
¹⁄₄ cup granulated sugar, plus more to taste
Fresh mint, for serving

Instructions

Peel cantaloupe, then halve and scoop out and discard seeds. Cut each half into 2 pieces and coarsely grate into a bowl. Mix with sugar and 3 ¹⁄₂ cups water, the refrigerate at least 45 minutes. Serve with fresh mint over ice.