[Filipino Recipes] Melon sa Malamig - Cantaloupe Drink

Melon sa Malamig is a Cantaloupe drink from the Philippines. Sa Malamig means “cold” in Tagalog and this is a great drink for a hot August day in Florida. It is a very simple recipe with minimal ingredients. 

I used a grater to shred the cantaloupe and combine it in a pitcher with sugar and water. You can also add vanilla extract or evaporated milk. If using evaporated milk, drink the Melon sa Malamig quickly after the milk is added. In the Philippines, a melon scraper is used to shred the cantaloupe, but I did not have one. It is available in Southeast Asia and some Asian food markets. If using a grater, take care to protect your hands in case the cantaloupe slice slips.I really enjoyed Melon sa Malamig. It was an easy and refreshing drink. Evan immediately spit it out after trying it. He has been having a difficult time with his molars, so I am not sure if that was the issue or the texture of thin pieces of cantaloupe in the drink. Chad said it was alright, but wouldn’t care if I did not make it again. I want to try it with a melon scraper someday.

Melon Sa Malamig (Filipino Cantaloupe Drink)

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes

1 large pitcher

Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup water, plus more for pitcher

1 medium cantaloupe

Optional:
Large splash vanilla extract
Evaporated milk

Instruction

In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water over high heat. Once the water comes to a boil, reduce heat to low. Simmer, stirring often, until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool.

Clean the outside of the cantaloupe and cut in half. Use a spoon to remove the seeds and use a melon scraper to scoop out threads of the cantaloupe into a medium bowl. If a melon scraper is not available, slice the cantaloupe and grate the flesh into the bowl.

Place the grated cantaloupe flesh into the pitcher and add the cooled syrup. Fill with water. If using, add a splash of vanilla extract or some evaporated milk.

Serve chilled or with crushed ice.

This recipe and image sources are referred in website: Tarasmulticulturaltable.com. Thanks so much!