This light, refreshing cucumber and melon cocktail is made with fresh juices. The flavors are soft, and mellow, not overly sweet and very sippable. Use good gin for the cocktail recipe and top with a chilled sparkling prosecco floater.
Add one cup of cantaloupe and ½ cup of cold water to a blender. Blend on high for 30 seconds or until the cantaloupe is completely pureed in the water. Place a fine mesh sieve over a glass measuring cup or bowl. Pour the cantaloupe juice into the sieve and strain away the pulp. Discard the pulp. Use the cantaloupe juice. Can make the cantaloupe juice 2-3 days in advance. Keep refrigerated.
MAKE THE CUCUMBER JUICE:
Place a sieve over a bowl and set aside.
Peel 2-3 large cucumbers. Slice in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds.
Use the large holes on a box grater to grate the cucumber and transfer to the sieve. Let it rest for 20-30 minutes so that the cucumber juice drains. Lightly press on the cucumber to extract the last of the juice. Can be made up to 2-3 days in advance. Keep refrigerated.
FOR A SINGLE COCKTAIL:
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the cucumber juice, cantaloupe juice, gin and simple syrup. Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for 20-30 seconds until icy cold.
Strain the cocktail into a coupe glass and top with the chilled prosecco.
Garnish with a melon ball and cucumber slice.
FOR A PITCHER OF SPARKLING CUCUMBER MELON COCKTAILS: (serves 10).
In a 32-ounce pitcher, combine the cucumber juice, cantaloupe juice, gin and simple syrup in the pitcher. Chill several hours or overnight.
Pour 3 ounces of the juice and gin mixture into coupe glasses or champagne flutes and top each glass with 2 ounces of chilled prosecco.