Pepino Melon Refresher
July 3, 2026
A bright summer cooler blending cantaloupe and pepino melon juices with basil simple syrup—shake over ice and serve. Adapted from Chef Savannah Munoz at Melissa's Produce.
Pepino melon (sometimes called pepino dulce) is a mild, cucumber-like melon—not the same as cucumber agua de pepino. When it shows up in a summer share alongside cantaloupe and basil, this cooler is an easy way to use them all at once.
The original builds the drink from fresh juices rather than whole fruit in the glass, which keeps it bright and not pulpy. Scale the melons up or down to hit the juice volumes; a little extra cantaloupe or pepino won't hurt.
For the full post and more context, see Melissa's Produce (Chef Savannah Munoz).
Pepino Melon Refresher
Fresh cantaloupe and pepino melon juices shaken with basil simple syrup and ice—a lightly sweet, herbaceous agua-style refresher. Adapted from Chef Savannah Munoz at Melissa's Produce.
Ingredients
- 12 oz cantaloupe juice (about ½ cantaloupe; blend and strain)
- 24 oz pepino melon juice (about 6 pepino melons, peeled, seeded, and cubed; blend and strain)
- 6 oz basil simple syrup (recipe below)
- Ice
- Basil simple syrup: ½ cup water, ½ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup fresh basil leaves
Method
- Cantaloupe juice: Blend ½ cantaloupe until smooth and pass through a fine-mesh strainer. You need about 12 oz (1½ cups).
- Pepino melon juice: Peel, seed, and cube the pepino melons. Blend until smooth and strain. You need about 24 oz (3 cups).
- Basil simple syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the water and sugar and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, add the basil, and steep 2 minutes. Discard the basil.
- Combine the cantaloupe juice, pepino melon juice, basil simple syrup, and a handful of ice in a large jar or pitcher with a lid. Shake vigorously for about 20 seconds.
- Strain into ice-filled glasses and serve immediately.
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