Melon Gazpacho

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves
• 4 whole cloves
• 2 whole star anise
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/3 cup sugar
• ½ t. kosher salt
• 1 plum tomato, peeled, halved, seeds removed
• 3 cups 1” pieces chilled melon (about 1 pound)
• 2 cups 1” pieces chilled peeled cucumber
• ¼ cup fresh lime juice
• 1 red Thai chile or Serrano pepper, thinly sliced
• kosher salt & freshly ground pepper
• mint for garnish