← Nouns Cooking · Indonesian & Filipino

Ingredients

• 1 small ripe cantaloupe (about 1.2 kg)
• 150 g Sugar
• 2 l cold water
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 720 ml ice cubes
• 120 ml Evaporated milk (optional)

Method

1. Halve the melon and scoop out the seeds. Using a melon scraper or the tines of a fork, scrape the flesh into long strands right down to the rind; or coarsely grate it.
2. Warm the sugar with 250 ml of the water in a small pan for 2–3 min, stirring, until dissolved.
3. Combine the melon strands and juices, the syrup, the rest of the cold water and the vanilla in a large jug. Taste and adjust the sweetness.
4. Chill for 30 min so the melon flavour infuses, then serve over ice with a spoonful of strands in every glass.

Tips

• Stir in a little evaporated milk for the creamy melon drink sold at fiestas; then it is no longer vegan.
• Choose a heavy, fragrant melon that gives slightly at the stem end; the sweeter the melon, the less sugar you need.

Sources

Written in our own words after cross-checking these recipes:

Panlasang Pinoy Kawaling Pinoy