12 Creative Melon Recipes

Photo by Iain Bagwell; written by Stephanie Dean, Elaine Johnson, and Amy Machnak

The Party Starter (Watermelon Tequila Cocktail)

This refreshing watermelon cocktail is a pure taste of summer. For a nonalcoholic version, skip the tequila and add a little water to help blend the mixture.

Recipe: The Party Starter (Watermelon Tequila Cocktail)

Photo by Iain Bagwell

Summer Melon Fizzies

Freeze cubes of puréed ripe melon so you can whip up this treat anytime the mood strikes.

Recipe: Summer Melon Fizzies

Photo by Dan Goldberg

Berry-Melon Agua Fresca

Sweet-tart agua frescas, served all over Mexico, make a great foil to hot and spicy dishes.

Recipe: Berry-Melon Agua Fresca

Photo by Chris Leschinsky

Morro Bay Pacific Gold Oysters with Melon and Cucumber Water

This easy recipe comes from Kirk Sowell, owner of two Morro Bay restaurants--Miss Lola's SouthSide Grill and Frankie & Lola's Front Street Cafe. He developed it especially to highlight the cucumber-melon flavors of Pacific Gold oysters. He uses Ha-Ogen and Ambrosia melons, and cilantro microgreens, but they're a little hard to find; honeydew, cantaloupe, and regular cilantro are fine too.

Recipe: Oysters with Melon and Cucumber Water

Tomato and Melon Salad with Scallops and Pink Peppercorns

Using a few colors and different sizes of tomatoes will make this recipe especially beautiful.

Recipe: Tomato and Melon Salad with Scallops and Pink Peppercorns

Spicy Watermelon Salad

Chiles, pickled onions, and fresh lime wake up this watermelon salad.

Recipe: Spicy Watermelon Salad

Photo by Lara Hata

Honeydew Relish Salad

Honeydew melon, cucumber, grapes, and celery make a beautiful green salad. But it's a simple dressing of honey, white wine vinegar, and mustard seeds that "pickles" and elevates these ordinary ingredients into a sweet-tart masterpiece.

Recipe: Honeydew Relish Salad

Photo by Thomas J. Story; written by Margo True

Shaved Cantaloupe and Prosciutto Salad

A salad that’s as beautiful and clever as it is delicious. Oh, and did we mention—it only has four ingredients?

Recipe: Shaved Cantaloupe and Prosciutto Salad

Photo by Iain Bagwell; written by Amy Machnak

Melon Salsa

The cool melon is a nice contrast to the spicy chile. Serve with any grilled chicken dish you like.

Recipe: Melon Salsa

Photo by Iain Bagwell; written by Amy Machnak

Vietnamese Shrimp and Green Melon Salad

The cool melon is nicely contrasting to the spicy shrimp and dressing. We suggest slicing the melon into wedges, and then again on a diagonally so you get wide pieces.

Recipe: Vietnamese Shrimp and Green Melon Salad