Matt's Famous Cantaloupe Cocktail

On June 24, 2015, history was made. Matt wrote his first ever blog post for ProbablyThis.com starring this very cocktail. Though I had launched the blog the year before, at the time, Matt held the role of editor to make sure I didn’t say anything too out of line (a quick review of my earliest blog posts reveals he was slacking on the job). In the summer of 2015, he expressed interest in sharing recipes he’d been working on with the world via this blog, and I was more than happy to have him! 

What transpired over the the following years was bigger than we could ever have imagined, culminating in last year’s release of our book Housewarming: A Guide to Creating a Home You Adore, in which Matt included his favorite original cocktail recipes, a guide to stocking a home bar and a huge beginner’s guide to wine among other things. 

But it’s important to never forget where you started. And his public cocktailing journey all started with the recipe below. It’s fruity and light with a beautiful depth of flavor from the addition of fino sherry. Its melon-based flavor palette is unique for a summertime cocktail, but it still hits all the notes you want: bright and beautiful, fizzy, equal parts hydration and central nervous system depressant. We love it, and I think you will too. Take a look at the recipe below and let us know if you give it a try!

Ingredients

4-5 mint leaves plus more for garnish

¼ oz agave nectar or simple syrup

½ oz fresh squeezed lemon juice

¾ oz Fino sherry

1 ½ oz blanco tequila

1 mint sprig for garnish

2 oz cantaloupe juice*

1 can club soda

Instructions

In a shaking tin, muddle  4-5 mint leaves with agave nectar and a small splash of club soda. 

Add lemon, sherry, tequila, and fill with ice. Shake for 15-20 seconds, or until a frosty layer has developed on the outside of the shaking tin.

Strain into a Collins glass or wine spritz glass filled with crushed ice.

Top first with cantaloupe juice, stir, then fill to the top with club soda.

Slap a mint sprig to release some of its oils and stick it in the drink for prettiness and a great aroma. Stick a straw in that sucker and have fun.

Notes

To make cantaloupe juice, use a juicer with fresh cantaloupe or use a blender to blend and strain off pulp.

It's important to add the cantaloupe juice after you shake and strain the drink into the glass. Non-citrus fruit juices get very frothy when shaken.

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