Cantaloupe Agua Fresca – Volpi Foods

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup basil leaves
• 2 teaspoons finely grated lime zest
• 1 ripe canteloupe, about 2¾ pounds, cut into 1-inch chunks and chilled
• 2 cups ice-cold water
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup basil-lime syrup (recipe above)
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from 1 large lime)
• Pinch kosher salt
• Ice
• 1 to 2 cups sparkling water, chilled
• Fresh basil sprigs, for garnish (optional)
• Lime slices, for garnish (optional)
• blender
• fine mesh strainer