Grapefruit Sunset with Cucumber-Melon Cooler
Recipe GLPRfdea7662bf7880
A refreshing duo of sophisticated cocktails perfect for warm weather gatherings. The Grapefruit Sunset features fresh grapefruit juice and white wine layered with crème de cassis for a beautiful gradient effect, while the Cucumber-Melon Cooler offers a smooth, blended blend of crisp honeydew and cucumber muddled with Pinot Grigio and light syrup. Both drinks are naturally gluten-free and vegan.
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Ingredients
½ cup freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, chilled
1 cup Pinot Grigio wine, chilled
1 oz crème de cassis
Fresh grapefruit slices, for garnish
3" piece of cucumber, peeled and coarsely chopped
¼ medium honeydew melon, peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped
3 oz simple syrup
Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish
Cucumber slices and thin melon wedges, optional for garnish
Ice, as needed
Directions
For the Grapefruit Sunset: In a measuring cup with a spout, combine the chilled grapefruit juice and chilled Pinot Grigio wine. Divide the mixture evenly between two serving glasses.
Slowly pour ½ oz of crème de cassis into each glass, pouring it gently over the back of a spoon to create a layered effect. Allow the cassis to settle for about one minute to achieve the beautiful graduated sunset color.
Garnish each Grapefruit Sunset glass with fresh grapefruit slices placed on the rim or floating on top.
For the Cucumber-Melon Cooler: Add the coarsely chopped cucumber, chopped honeydew melon, remaining Pinot Grigio wine (approximately ½ cup), and simple syrup to a blender.
Blend on high speed until completely smooth, about 15 seconds. The mixture should be fully liquefied with no chunks remaining.
Pour the blended mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a spouted measuring cup, pressing gently on the solids. Discard the pulp and seeds left in the sieve.
Fill two glasses with ice and divide the strained cucumber-melon cooler evenly between them.
Garnish each Cucumber-Melon Cooler glass with fresh mint sprigs and, if desired, additional cucumber slices and thin melon wedges.
Serve both cocktails immediately while chilled.
