Melon Balls

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.

this recipe

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.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• How to use them
• Substitutions
• Equipment
• Storage
• FAQ
• 📖 Recipe

Ingredients

I used the following melons:

• Watermelon, seedless
• Cantaloupe melon
• Honeydew melon

However, you can use most kind of melons, so choose your favourites.

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

Substitutions

I used watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew melons. But you can use whichever melons you like. Winter melon (also known as canary melon) and golden honeydew melon are a couple of other options.

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.

melon baller

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Storage

Store in an airtight container or sealed zip-top bag in the refrigerator for up to 2-4 days.

FAQ

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📖 Recipe