One way I've been keeping myself entertained lately is by having my husband pick up random fruit from the grocery store and coming up with unique cocktails once he gets home! This one ended up being a winner. The Horned Melon (Kiwano) is a very interesting fruit that surprisingly tastes similar to a cucumber. It's incredibly refreshing in cocktails! You simply slice it in half and scoop out the inside to dump straight into your shaker!
It also makes for a fun cocktail garnish! And I love me a good garnish. I decided to shake this melon up with gin and Aperol. Aperol is an Italian Apertif with flavors of rhubarb, bitter herbs and burnt orange. The light, refreshing taste of the melon complimented these flavors well. I also add a little lemon juice and simple syrup to keep it from being too tart or bitter. I'd recommend double straining this cocktail to keep seeds out!
I also love how the Aperol gives it an orange tint to match the skin of the horned melon. I named her Horn to Be Wild, because after a few of these you just might be. 😉 Cheers!
You might also enjoy:
Grapefruit Empress Gin Cocktail
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz Aperol
- juice from one horned melon
- 0.5 oz lemon juice
- 0.5 oz simple syrup
- ice
- Add ingredients to a shaker with ice.
- Shake for 1 minute.
- Double strain into a fresh glass.
- Garnish with horned melon wheel
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