Food & Cooking Recipes Drink Recipes Cocktail Recipes Cantaloupe-Basil-Grapefruit Cooler Be the first to rate & review! By Riley Wofford Riley Wofford Riley is an associate food editor for Martha Stewart Living. Editorial Guidelines Updated on June 29, 2021 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Linda Xiao Prep Time: 10 mins Total Time: 25 mins Yield: 6 to 8 Serves We're here to tell you that cantaloupe has a lot going for it. Fragrant, sweet, and a touch creamy, it is a perfect pairing for the basil-infused syrup and tart grapefruit juice that it is blended with for this refreshing, agua-fresca-style cooler. Ingredients ¼ cup sugar ¼ cup lightly packed basil sprigs, plus more for serving 6 cups peeled, chopped cantaloupe melon ⅓ cup fresh grapefruit juice Vodka (optional) Directions In a small heatproof bowl, pour 1/2 cup boiling water over sugar and basil; stir until sugar has dissolved. Let cool completely, about 20 minutes. Strain syrup into a blender; discard basil. Add cantaloupe, grapefruit juice, and 1 3/4 cups cold water; blend until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve. Serve over ice, garnished with a basil sprig, or refrigerate in an airtight container up to 3 days. If using vodka, stir a shot (1-ounce) into each glass before serving. Rate it Print