Boozy Melon Three Ways

boozy melon fruit in glass bowls
Photo: Bryan Gardner
Prep Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Yield:
6 to 8 Serves

For the ultimate easy, boozy summer dessert, pair different melons with different liquors and top with fresh herbs. We like watermelon with tequila and mint, honeydew with gin and tarragon, and cantaloupe with vodka and basil. Sprinkle each with lime juice and flaky sea salt. Make one or make all three!

Ingredients

Tequila-Soaked Watermelon:

  • cup sugar

  • ½ cup tequila

  • ¼ cup orange liqueur, such as Cointreau

  • 8 cups cubed seedless watermelon

  • ½ cup fresh mint leaves

Gin-Soaked Honeydew:

  • cup sugar

  • ½ cup gin

  • ¼ cup orange liqueur, such as Cointreau

  • 8 cups cubed seeded honeydew

  • ½ cup fresh tarragon leaves

Vodka-Soaked Cantaloupe:

  • cup sugar

  • ½ cup vodka

  • ¼ cup orange liqueur, such as Cointreau

  • 8 cups cubed seeded cantaloupe

  • ½ cup fresh basil leaves

  • Lime wedges and flaky sea salt, such as Jacobsen’s, for serving

Directions

  1. Tequila-Soaked Watermelon: Place sugar, tequila, orange liqueur, and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Let cool slightly. Arrange watermelon in a single layer in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Pour syrup over fruit. Cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours and up to 1 day. Serve with mint and a drizzle of syrup; sprinkle with flaky salt and squeeze with lime juice.

  2. Gin-Soaked Honeydew: Place sugar, gin, orange liqueur, and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Let cool slightly. Arrange honeydew in a single layer in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Pour syrup over fruit. Cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours and up to 1 day. Serve with tarragon and a drizzle of syrup; sprinkle with flaky salt and squeeze with lime juice.

  3. Vodka-Soaked Cantaloupe: Place sugar, vodka, orange liqueur, and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Let cool slightly. Arrange cantaloupe in a single layer in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Pour syrup over fruit. Cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours and up to 1 day. Serve with basil and a drizzle of syrup; sprinkle with flaky salt and squeeze with lime juice.

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