Celebrate Colorado’s summer harvest with this refreshing Rocky Ford Melon Ginger Cocktail recipe. Sweet, juicy cantaloupe grown in the famous Rocky Ford region pairs perfectly with zesty ginger, bright lime juice, and your favorite local vodka. A touch of raw honey from Bee Squared Apiaries brings just the right amount of sweetness, while fresh mint adds a cooling finish.
This cocktail is easy to whip up for backyard barbecues, sunset happy hours, or lazy weekend afternoons. Simply blend fresh cantaloupe into a silky puree, then shake it up with vodka, ginger, lime, and honey over ice. Strain into a glass, garnish with mint and melon balls, and enjoy the taste of Colorado summer in every sip (recipe ingredients and directions below).
Want to connect with local food? Find a farmers market near you with our Farm Fresh Directory—available in English and Spanish—or check out Colorado Proud to discover local producers in your area.
Ingredients
- Local Vodka: Use your favorite local variety, whatever that may be.
- Bee Squared Apiaries Raw Honey: Honey is our preferred sweetener, but you could also use local maple syrup, agave nectar, or simple syrup.
- Cantaloupe Puree: You can make your own cantaloupe puree using a blender or food processor from a Rocky Ford Melon.
- Local Ginger: Use freshly grated ginger for the best flavor.
- Lime Juice: We like to use fresh lime juice, but you can use bottled in a pinch if that’s what you have on hand.
- Local Fresh Mint Leaves (optional): These are optional, but highly recommended. The flavor of fresh mint in these refreshing cocktails is so good.
- Rocky Ford Melon: You can use any extra cantaloupe you have to scoop out balls and use them for garnish.
- Ice: To chill the drink.
Directions
- Make the cantaloupe puree: Cut the cantaloupe into chunks and blend either in a food processor or blender until smooth.
- Combine and shake: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes, then add in the vodka and honey. Stir until the honey is dissolved, then add in the cantaloupe puree, ginger, lime juice, and mint, if using. Muddle the mint gently, add on the lid, then shake to mix.
- Garnish and serve: Strain the drink into a serving glass, garnish with mint and melon balls, then sip away.
