Melon balls can bring a bright and flavourful addition to your appetizers and drinks. They can be used in many things, such as fruit salads, skewers, and cocktails. They are so versatile! Not to mention great for entertaining. Follow my easy instructions to make your own.
I love to have some frozen ones on hand during the hot summer months. They make such a refreshing snack or can be used to keep your drinks cold without watering them down.
If you love melon, I think you will also love my melon margarita recipe that is made with fresh honeydew. Or, try my melon prosciutto salad for a classic and delicious appetizer.
Ingredients
I used the following melons:
- Watermelon, seedless
- Cantaloupe melon
- Honeydew melon
Substitutions
You can use whatever kind of melons you like. Winter melon (also known as canary melon) and golden honeydew melon are a couple of other options.
Instructions
Halve your melons lengthwise, then scoop out and remove the seeds. If you are using a watermelon, make sure it is the seedless variety.
Using a melon baller, scoop out the melon into balls. I used the smaller end of a double sided melon baller to make smaller balls. Don't worry if they don't all come out perfectly round. Many of mine had a flatter side.
Enjoy them however you like. See below for some tasty recommendations.
How to use them
Now all that's left to do is decide how you will use them! Here are a few of the ways that you can.
Frozen melon balls
Frozen melon balls are the perfect way to keep your drinks cool. Aside from looking impressive, they add a light and refreshing melon taste rather than watering your drink down. You can also enjoy these frozen melon balls as a delicious and icy cold snack in summer!
Prepare a tray that will fit into your freezer by covering it with parchment or wax paper. Place the melon balls on the tray and freeze for at least a couple of hours. Make sure that they aren't touching to prevent them from freezing together. Once they're frozen they are ok to touch each other and can be stored together in freezer bags.
Melon balls drinks
They make a wonderful addition to many drinks. For this one I made that tastes like something from a luxury spa, I simply placed honeydew and cantaloupe melon ball ice cubes into a glass with fresh cucumber slices. Then I topped it with sparkling water, and garnished it with a sprig of fresh mint for fragrance.
I've also used them in my delicious, sugar-free cucumber lemonade because the honeydew melon balls suit this refreshing drink perfectly. They are great to use in cocktails as well.
Boozy melon balls
You can combine melon balls with liquor to make a tasty spiked or drunken version. Popular options are:
- Vodka
- Flavoured vodka
- Vodka or flavoured vodka + orange liqueur (such as Cointreau or Triple Sec)
- Rum + lime juice + sugar or honey (check out this recipe spiked watermelon ball recipe for more information on quantities to use)
- Optional for any of the above: add mint leaves
Place the melon balls in a baking dish or large bowl and top with your liquor of choice. Soak for 2-3 hours in the refrigerator. If the balls are not completely submerged (do submerge if possible), make sure to rotate them a few times. Serve with some of the liquid spooned on top.
Skewers
These balls are the perfect ingredient to make a refreshing skewer. They are dreamy when paired with:
- Prosciutto
- Fresh basil or mint leaves
- Mozzarella balls or buffalo mozzarella balls
Salad
You can make an easy and beautiful fruit salad that is perfect for summer entertaining. Simply toss the salad together using the following ingredients of your choice and serve.
- Melon balls
- Optionally, some berries (blueberries, blackberries, or strawberries work well)
- Fresh mint or basil leaves
- A bit of freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice
- A touch of sugar, honey, or agave syrup of sweetness (keep in mind that agave is quite sweet so start with just a little and taste test before adding more)
- A pinch of salt
Equipment
To make these, a melon baller will make your job the easiest.
If you don't have a melon baller, you can substitute it with metal measuring spoons as long as they have sharp edges. A measuring spoon set will give you a wide range of size options, as well.
Storage
Store in an airtight container or sealed zip-top bag in the refrigerator for up to 2-4 days.
FAQ
For cantaloupe, it will have a sweet aroma, the green colour will shift to beige, and the stem will easily separate from the melon. Honeydew melons will shift in colour from green to creamy yellow and the end of the melon opposite from the stem will have a slight give when pressed. For watermelon, the 'belly' spot where the melon was resting on the ground will shift from white to having a yellow-ish tint.
Yes, they can be stored in an airtight container or sealed zip-top bag in the refrigerator for up to 2-4 days.
📖 Recipe
Melon Balls
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Snacks
- Cuisine: American
Description
Melon balls can bring a bright and flavourful addition to your appetizers and drinks. They can be used in many things, such as fruit salads, skewers, and cocktails.
Ingredients
Watermelon
Cantaloupe
Honeydew melon
Instructions
Halve your melons lengthwise, then scoop out and remove the seeds. If you are using a watermelon, make sure it is the seedless variety.
Using a melon baller, scoop out the melon into balls. I used the smaller end of a double sided melon baller to make smaller balls. Don't worry if they don't all come out perfectly round. Many of mine had a flatter side.
Enjoy your melon balls however you like. See the post above for some tasty recommendations.
Equipment
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 67
- Sugar: 14.9 g
- Sodium: 24.2 mg
- Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 16.6 g
- Protein: 1.3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: melon ball ice cubes, melon balls
Kathy says
I surprised my grand children with these melon ice cubes.
The expression of delight on their faces when they took their first bites made my day.
What a great idea for summer.
Asha says
Thanks Kathy, that's awesome 🙂
Cheryl says
These melon cubes made a big impression at our first bbq of the year.
Asha says
Ooo great idea to have these at a BBQ. So refreshing!
Kim says
I enjoy snacking on these while sitting in the sun on my patio.
Asha says
Me too! 😀
Jenna says
My kids love these in their juice.
Asha says
Cute!
Marie says
These melon balls were the hit at my daughter's birthday party.
Asha says
That's great to hear 🙂
Judi says
These melon ice cubes taste wonderful in water.
Asha says
Thanks, I agree 🙂
Hope says
Such a sweet treat on these blistering hot days.
Asha says
Thank you
Caitlyn says
All my friends go nuts over these. Great idea.
Asha says
That's awesome, thanks
Giselle says
So easy. Love this idea.
Asha says
Thanks!
Amanda says
I made the melon balls late summer and froze. Used them in a cocktail last night and amazed how well they kept.
Flavour still fresh.
Asha says
That's great! I like to have them made ahead of time, too. Makes a refreshing, healthy treat whenever you feel like one.