Iced cantaloupe, charred lime and oolong tea spritz with fresh tarragon
An original, aromatic sparkling drink combining ripe cantaloupe, lightly charred lime juice, cold-brewed oolong tea, and a fresh tarragon note. Refreshing, elegant, and balanced, it is ideal for warm days or as a special non-alcoholic serve.
Ingredients
- 500 g ripe cantaloupe, cubed (without semillas ni peel)
- 2 units lime (1 for tostar and exprimir, 1 sliced for terminar)
- 8 g oolong tea (en hebras sueltas or 2 bolsitas)
- 400 ml hot water (for infusionar the té)
- 6 g fresh tarragon (more unas leaves extra for decorar)
- 40 g sugar (ajustar al dulzor of the melón)
- 1 g fine salt (realza the sabor)
- 600 ml chilled sparkling water (for completar)
- 400 g ice (for servir)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
No declared allergens
Instructions
- 1
1. Heat 400 ml water until very hot but not boiling, about 185°F/85°C. Add the oolong tea and steep for 4 minutes. Strain and let it cool completely.
- 2
2. Cut 1 lime in half and place it cut-side down on a very hot skillet or griddle at 400°F/205°C for 2 to 3 minutes, until lightly charred. Let it cool slightly, then squeeze the juice.
- 3
3. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar with 60 ml water and half of the fresh tarragon. Cook over medium heat until the sugar fully dissolves, about 2 minutes, keeping the mixture around 195°F/90°C without a strong boil. Remove from the heat, let steep for 5 minutes, and strain to make a light syrup.
- 4
4. Place the cantaloupe in a blender with the charred lime juice, tarragon syrup, salt, and the remaining fresh tarragon. Blend until completely smooth.
- 5
5. Strain the cantaloupe puree through a fine sieve for a cleaner texture. Transfer it to a large pitcher and add the cooled oolong tea. Stir well.
- 6
6. Add half of the ice to the pitcher to chill quickly. Pour in the chilled sparkling water just before serving and stir gently so the bubbles stay lively.
- 7
7. Divide the remaining ice among 4 glasses. Pour in the drink, garnish with slices of the remaining lime and a few extra fresh tarragon leaves, and serve immediately.
Chef tips
If the melon is very sweet, reduce the sugar to 25 g. For deeper flavor, chill the melon-tea base for 30 minutes before adding the sparkling water.
Substitutions
You can substitute mint for the tarragon for a fresher profile, or use a mild green tea instead of oolong if you want a lighter flavor. Galia melon also works well.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageNinja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
Illustrative imageT-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan
Eggs, omelets and stir-fries
- Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
- Comfortable, sturdy handle
- Use wooden or silicone utensils
Illustrative imageVictorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef’s Knife
Chopping, slicing and cutting strips
- The knife I use most when cooking
- Chops, slices and cuts into strips
- Keep it sharp and hand-dry it
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