Refreshing Rockmelon Drink

March is supposed to be the beginning of autumn in Australia. At 36°C (97°F) today it feels more like the height of summer than onset of fall. Anyways, days like these call for a refreshing glass of ice cold melon drink?

Yes, I did say melon drink. More specifically, a drink made from rockmelon (cantaloupe). I am not really sure if other cultures do this but certainly in the Philippines rockmelon is more popular consumed as a beverage rather than eaten as a fruit. Its popularity I believe stems not only from its refreshing quality but also the absolute simplicity of how it’s made.



Some might think it inconceivable to add water and sugar to a perfectly good fruit. I would not dare do it to pricier melon varieties (a pair of Yubari melons in Japan sold for ¥2.5 million)…actually, I would just to find out if there is a difference. But rockmelon is fairly inexpensive and has enough natural flavour to stand its own.


Here’s how I do it:

Rockmelon Drink

Half a rockmelon grated (using a melon grater, Philippine made)
1 cup brown sugar (adjust this to your liking)
1 litre of water (and this too)
Ice, lots of it

1. Combine all the ingredients together.
2. Pour and drink!