This combination of cucumber and melon in a cooler makes for the perfect summer afternoon pick-me-up.
Cucumber, melon and vodka cooler
makes 4
5 mini cucumbers
2 limes
½ honeydew melon, balled with a melon baller
120ml vodka
600ml coconut water
ice cubes
mint to garnish
for mint sugar syrup
1 cup caster sugar
1 cup water
3 sprigs of mint
for green chilli and coriander salt
½ large green chilli, pith and seeds
removed and roughly chopped
1 tsp coriander seed
2 tbsp caster sugar
4 tbsp sea salt
For sugar syrup, place sugar and water into a small saucepan, bring to the boil, then simmer for 10 minutes. Add mint sprigs and allow to steep while the syrup comes to room temperature. Strain syrup into a sealable jar.
You might like
For chilli and coriander salt, place chilli and coriander seeds into a mortar, and pound to a rough paste with the pestle. Add sugar and salt and gently pound to combine. Place mix onto a small plate.
Thinly slice one cucumber with a vegetable peeler and set aside slices for garnishing. Roughly chop remaining cucumber. Quarter and thinly slice 1 lime.
Rim 4 high ball tumblers with a lime half and dip into the salt mix. Lightly pound cucumber and lime pieces with a pestle to release juices, then divide pieces between the glasses. Half-fill the glasses with ice, add melon balls and place cucumber slices around the glasses. Add 30ml vodka, 15ml mint syrup and top with coconut water. Add a squeeze of lime before gently stirring with a swizzle stick, adding more ice if necessary. Garnish with mint leaves.
