Sweet, spicy, sour flavors mingle in this delicious Refreshing Melon Chili Drink.

“Don’t be afraid to play with your food” She said,
“Be passionate with your food” She said,
“Taste it at every stage of preparation” She said,
I think I have a handle on the first two, but when it comes to that last one – well, I am a work in progress.
The “She” I am referring to happens to be Anne Quatrano, an extremely passionate local chef, cookbook author and proponent of sustainability; whose food philosophy revolves around “using basics to produce the spectacular“!
From what I have heard, she and her husband, Clifford Harrison, put this food philosophy into action at 6 of Atlanta’s happening restaurants- Bacchanalia, Floataway Café, Star Provisions, Provisions To Go, Quinones at Bacchanalia, and Abattoir. And from what I have seen –and tasted– she lives out her food philosophy in what she prepares.
Our paths crossed briefly at The James Beard Foundation‘s Taste America® Culinary event this past Saturday hosted by Sur La Table. When I said our paths crossed, what I really meant was that I sat in the audience and did the “tasting” while she did the cooking and held an informative demonstration. Yes, at times, I even surprise myself at how quiet I can be, and, how well I can listen -when my mouth is full of food!
Chef Anne Quatrano and her assistants prepared 2 dishes during the hour long event to fill our stomachs with: a Crostini of Fig, Caramelized Onions and Lonzino and a Melon and Chile Soup with Poached Shrimp, all while filling our heads with a smorgasbord of info on curing and smoking meats and the challenges of composting and the pairing and balancing of different flavors.
Her flavor combinations in the Melon and Chili Soup spun my head around – all 360 degrees around! She used some cantaloupe, watermelon and some honeydew melon – and paired it up with some apple cider vinegar, salt and some fresh cayenne and Padron chilies and made this incredible base – I was so intrigued, I came home had to give it a go.
I didn’t use any honey dew, but I peeled and chopped some watermelon and some cantaloupe into my blender to make this Melon Chili Drink.
After blending it into a nice puree, I threw in some jalapeno chilies as I didn’t have any cayenne and Padron and let it sit in the fridge overnight.
The next morning, I strained out the melon pulp and threw in some apple cider vinegar and salt and some more chilies.
And that’s when I had a revelation!
Seeing I was inspired by Anne Quatrano to work on trying to “Taste it at every stage of preparation”, I decided to pour me some of this melon chili drink and taste it – before I prepared the shrimp that was thawing in the sink.
And THAT’s when I realized the REAL reason I don’t do tastings as I go along – because I have the tendency to change the course, to not let a dish reach it’s full potential – because a taste can lead to way, way more than JUST a taste – and before you know it, there’s an empty glass jar where there once was one overflowing with a delectable melon and chili concoction!
Drinks
Sweet Spicy Watermelon Paloma Mocktail
Start Cinco de Mayo off with this Watermelon Paloma! Made with Jalapeño-infused soda / sparkling water, this Watermelon Paloma is a tasty, refreshing, sweet and spicy mocktail that lets you sip on a tasty drink all day while you celebrate from home!
Spiced Citrus Mulled Juice
Warm and comforting, this non-alcoholic Spiced Citrus Mulled Juice is filled with aromatic spices like cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon, making it a delightful autumn drink for the whole family.
Easy Homemade Ginger Ale
Made with a healthier spin, this tantalizingly tart and sweet, easy homemade ginger ale is a refreshing, 5-ingredient drink that can be ready to enjoy in less than 10 minutes.
Easy Pineapple Spinach Smoothie
Made with only 5 ingredients, this dairy-free Pineapple Spinach Smoothie is a refreshing and satisfying pick-me-up that is so easy to make to enjoy at any time of the day.

Refreshing Melon Chili Drink
Sweet, spicy, sour flavors mingle in this delicious Refreshing Melon Chili Drink.
Ingredients
- 1 medium cantaloupe melon
- 1 small seedless watermelon
- 2 jalapeno chili peppers, or less depending on taste
- 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Chop melons and add to a food processor or blender
- Blend well and throw in some sliced pieces of jalapeno and let sit overnight or a couple of hours
- Strain the pulp from the liquid using a sieve or a cheesecloth
- Add in apple cider vinegar and salt and more chili slices -if so desired
Nutrition Information
Yield 4 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 55Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 279mgCarbohydrates 13gFiber 1gSugar 11gProtein 1g
**I was not compensated in any way for my review or attendance at this event, which I found out about through my Atlanta Food Blogger Society membership**
Easy Homemade Ginger Ale
Monday 11th of April 2022
[…] you are looking for more drink recipes for the summer, check out this refreshing melon chili drink, this honeydew melon smoothie, this date smoothie, and this watermelon […]
mjskit
Sunday 21st of September 2014
Oh you are so funny!!! I can't tell you how many times, I've totally changed direction or just "stopped" after tasting something "in progress". Love this "juice" and that kick of jalapeno slices were the perfect finish. Much better than poached shrimp in my opinion. ;)
Shashi
Tuesday 23rd of September 2014
Haha - I am so not tasting again - not till I am done! :) Thanks so much MJ!
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You
Wednesday 17th of September 2014
I agree with you... One should never be afraid to combine new flavors together. I like the particular contrast of flavors in this soup: The cold elements (watermelon and cantaloupe) with the hot one (chili peppers). Genius!
Shashi
Wednesday 17th of September 2014
Denise, the apple cider added yet another contrasting flavor to these - Anne Q is a genius indeed!
ashley
Wednesday 17th of September 2014
That culinary event looks like it was so much fun! I am doing something like that next month. Love the soup...I love new and different flavor combos.
Shashi
Wednesday 17th of September 2014
Ashley - my only complaint is that it was an hour only! I hope you have a blast at the one you go to next month!
cottercrunch
Tuesday 16th of September 2014
now that is a great event and great soup recipe! can i tag along next time?! please?!
Shashi
Wednesday 17th of September 2014
Sure - you are always welcome my friend!