Minty Melon Mojitos
 
Makes 6 servings
Ingredients
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup boiling water
  • 1 cup packed fresh mint leaves, divided
  • 3 cups diced cantaloupe
  • 4½ ounces fresh lime juice
  • 12 ounces white rum
  • Frozen cantaloupe chunks (see note), to serve
  • 36 ounces sparkling water
  • Garnish: fresh mint sprigs, cantaloupe wedge
Instructions
  1. In a small bowl, combine sugar and ¼ boiling water, stirring until sugar dissolves. Stir in ¼ cup mint leaves. Let cool completely. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, discarding mint leaves.
  2. In the container of a blender, combine cooled mint syrup, diced cantaloupe, and lime juice; process until smooth. Strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve.
  3. Divide remaining ¾ cup mint leaves among 6 glasses. Using a cocktail muddler or a wooden spoon, bruise mint leaves. Pour 2 ounces rum in each glass.
  4. Fill each glass with frozen cantaloupe chunks or large ice cubes. Divide blended mixture between glasses (about ⅓ cup each). Top each with about 6 ounces sparkling water. Garnish with mint sprigs and cantaloupe wedges, if desired.
Notes
CANTALOUPE ICE CUBES: Arrange 1-inch pieces of cantaloupe in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Freeze until solid; transfer to an airtight container, and freeze until ready to use.
Recipe by Louisiana Cookin' at https://louisianacookin.com/minty-melon-mojitos/