Cantaloupe Ginger First Stop

The contrast here is between mellow melon and fresh ginger's heat. Neither needs much help from sugar when the cantaloupe is ripe. Press the melon well so some juice mixes into the water, and cut the ginger thinly so you can remove it easily once the flavor suits you. A short infusion gives a gentler result than leaving it all morning. The bubbles make it feel brisk, while the cantaloupe keeps the overall flavor rounded.

Ingredients

• 5 oz Sparkling water
• 1/2 cup Ripe cantaloupe cubes
• 2 slice Fresh ginger, thinly sliced

Make it

1. Prepare the fruit and herbs as listed. Mash soft fruit to release juice; lightly press herbs or thin ginger slices without shredding them.
2. Add the still juices and stir. Strain out seeds, skins or herb pieces if you prefer a smoother texture.
3. Pour in the chilled sparkling water slowly and stir once. Serve immediately, with ice if you like.

Benefits

Cantaloupe · a little vitamin C

The 1/2 cup of ripe cantaloupe cubes adds some vitamin C for absorbing iron from plant foods, with ginger rounding out the flavor.

Ginger · more than a sweet mixer

With cantaloupe in the glass, the measured ginger contributes a peppery warmth as an accent to the fizz.