As a 90’s child, the scent of Cucumber Melon could be found filling nearly every teenage girl’s bedroom. Now that those 90’s teenage girls are adults, we’re still craving that sweet and refreshing Cucumber Melon combination, but now with a fun twist – enter Apple Mint Cucumber Melon Champagne Slushee.
Not sure there is anything that describes the teenage life of a 90’s girl better than Bath and Body Works’ Cucumber Melon scent. I know my sister, mother and I all loved it and had multiple bottles of it open at any given time. As we grew up and seasons changed, I realized we began to say good-bye to that lovely duo. Until about 3 weeks ago.
I had purchased a bottle of Champagne for a photoshoot that ended up changing directions. So this bottle of champagne had been sitting in my fridge for a good week at least. Upon my weekly trip to the grocery store, I noticed that melons were on sale. Fruit is one of the top consumed foods in my house. Eli will only eat fruit, bread, peanut butter and bacon for the most part. While Hunter and Fisher can be persuaded with other choices, they too would devour an entire box of strawberries in one sitting if allowed. Big fruit like pineapples, honeydew, varieties of melons… all those bigger fruits are a good “investments” when you have a big family. You can either stretch a fruit to feed everyone, or it’s large enough to last two days. Between big fruits, and whatever is growing abundantly in the backyard – in this case cucumbers, this recipe was just heaven sent.
What is a Champagne Slush
Champagne Slushees are all the rage right now. I have no idea who came up with them, but a quick search on Pinterest for Champagne Slush and you’re met with hundreds of super easy cocktail recipes that include Champagne or Wine as one of the main ingredients. Typically, that is the only alcohol in the slushee. These two or three ingredient slushees are paired with bright, vibrant, fresh fruit. The recipes are kept simple, clean, and fresh – perfect for a hot summer day when you need all that ice to cool down. The drinks can be made by either freezing the fruit mixture and alcohol mixture separately. or adding all your ingredients to a blender with ice. Either way – it’s awesome!
What is Apple Mint
Apple Mint is just as it sounds. It’s a beautiful green herb that looks identical to mint, only it has a slightly sweet hint of apple to it. I love what it did to this cocktail when I made a simple syrup with it. If you don’t have Apple Mint on hand, you could certainly use plain Mint. The refreshing bite you get from either is amazing. If you have Spearmint, that would be awesome too! Infusing herbs into a simple syrup is a great way to get the flavor without pieces of it stuck in your teeth, or little green chunks floating in your otherwise gorgeous drink.
Substitutions for Champagne
Not everyone drinks alcohol and that’s totally okay! Here are some substitutions for the Champagne. I promise the drink will be just as yummy as a virgin! Note: You may need to increase the simple syrup amount for desired taste.
- Water – Will be more like a lemonade.
- Sparkling Water – Gives the same fizz as Champagne and a bitter bite.
- Sparkling Cider – Use regular or Apple flavored to enhance the Apple Mint, keep the zing and fizz.
- Half Water, Half Pineapple Juice – For an even more tropical style drink.
Party Ideas for Champagne Slushees
Of course Champagne Slushees don’t require a reason to have them, but in case you’re looking to jazz up your next get together, here are some ideas:
- Baby Shower for a boy
- Baby Shower for a girl
- Summer Wedding
- Brunch or Spa Day with the girls
- Summer BBQ
Apple Mint Cucumber Melon Champagne Slushee
With fresh herbs from the garden, some fresh fruit, and a sweet or tart base of bubbly alcohol like white wine or champagne, the options are endless for this summer time adult beverage. Don’t like alcohol? No problem! Simply substitute the alcohol for more ice or water, and increase the simple syrup to your desired sweetness.
I would love if after you try this recipe, because I know you will, go ahead and rate the recipe with 5 stars! Leave me any comments or questions below and I’ll be happy to answer them. Then head over to Instagram and tag me in your stories @theKatieMChase and show me how you’ve made the recipe.
Apple Mint Cucumber Melon Champagne Slushee
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups water
- 6 large fresh apple mint leaves use regular mint if apple mint is unavailable
- 1 Cantaloupe
- 1-2 Seedless Cucumbers
- 1 bottle Champagne I suggest a sweeter variety
Instructions
For Simple Syrup
- Add water, sugar, and apple mint leaves to a pot on the stove and heat. Stir continuously until dissolved and then for another 5-10 minutes after. Syrup will be a pale green in color. Remove leaves and set aside to cool or place in the fridge.
For Drink
- Add to blender: 1/2 cup of prepared simple syrup,
- Using a melon-baller or your own way of cutting, cut the Cantaloupe Melon and remove the seeds. Extract the "meat" of the melon and add tho the blender.
- Remove the skin of one or two large, seedless Cucumber, dice, and add to blender.
- At this point you can blend and freeze in ice cube trays, or simply add ice to blender and create the slushee base.
- Now that you have the fruit/ice slushee base, transfer it to a large pitcher and add the champagne (or water). Mix well.
- Garnish drinks with slices of cucumber, melon, and/or apple mint leaves.
I could easily see serving these for a bridal shower! I love how cool and refreshing they are, and that flavor combination is out of this world!
This yummy champagne slushee was served at my daughter’s wedding shower. It was so delicious! Everyone asked for the recipe!
What great ideas for showers! How fun! And this drink sounds amazing. I’m going to have to try it!