Melon Agua Fresca Recipe

Ingredients

• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 4 large basil leaves
• ¼ teaspoon zest plus juice of 1 lime (save the squeezed fruit halves)
• ½ medium cantaloupe, rind removed and flesh coarsely chopped
• ½ small honeydew melon, rind removed and flesh coarsely chopped
• ½ cup sparkling water
• Ice

Directions

1. Use a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder to grind together the sugar, basil and lime zest until finely ground. Transfer to a small plate and set aside.
2. In a blender, purée the cantaloupe and honeydew, then strain through a fine mesh sieve and into a pitcher. Stir in the lime juice and sparkling water.
3. Halve the squeezed lime halves and use them to rim 4 tall glasses. Dip the rim into the prepared sugar mixture. Add a few ice cubes (or crushed ice) to each glass and then pour the agua fresca over the ice. Serve.