Agua de Melon – Summer Honeydew Cooler with Ginger, Lemon & Mint

Maybe my husband had inadvertently turned on the heater instead of the air conditioner? Could it really be this hot in the studio? I checked, and no, the thermostat was set to “cool” but the temperature read 88°F (31°C) I could smell the garlic baking on my photo set, as it sat in the morning sunlight. Is it me, or is it hot in here?

Summertime at the ranch is usually unbearably hot. Sure, we can talk about global warming if you like, but our summers days have historically hovered around 100°F-102°F (37°C-39°C). I can very distinctly remember the back of my legs sticking to the vinyl seats of our station wagon on our way to the swimming pool in town. I was sure that my skin had somehow melded with the plastic during the trip, especially with the ripping sound my skin made when I bolted out of the car to jump into the pool.

My plan for next year is to travel during the summer to distant cooler temperatures. I am particularly attracted to places that use the Celsius temperature scale, as the thermometer reading always sounds deliciously innocuous. (Thirty degrees? Pshaw…)

So. Hot.

In Mexico and most border towns, the summertime favorite is agua de melon, which is a cooling beverage made of any type of melon. I remember visiting my aunt in Cuernavaca, and she served us the most succulent cantaloupe agua de melon upon our arrival. Fanning herself on the veranda, she was uncomfortably hot, and commented that it was around 28°C (85°F). To me, that sounded heavenly.

We always seem to have agua de melon on the table during the summer months in our home. Even if the melon is not the most stellar, we rarely add sugar as the goal is to hydrate. I drink water like a fish, but it’s always nice to have a flavor option, especially when you live in Fahrenheit-land.

It seems as if our thermometer is an upside-down gauge for the level of Hell we have just entered.  No matter. I’ll just take a cool beverage with me.

Agua de Melon