About the Recipe
This is an incredibly refreshing, sweet, and cooling chilled fruit soup (often referred to as a "cold soup" or "fruit gazpacho"). It's typically made by simply puréeing ripe honeydew melon with fresh mint leaves in a blender.
Common additions include a touch of lime or lemon juice for acidity and brightness, and sometimes a small amount of honey or sugar if the melon isn't perfectly sweet. The result is a vibrant green, silky-smooth liquid that is chilled before serving. It is usually served as an elegant appetizer, a light starter course, or a palate cleanser.
Ingredients
1 (2-pound) honeydew melon, peeled, seeded, & cut into 1-inch pieces
⦁ 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves
⦁ 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 3 limes)
⦁ 1 tbsp honey
⦁ 1/8 tsp salt
⦁ 6 thin lime slices (for garnish)⦁ 6 fresh mint sprigs (for garnish)
Preparation
Put 1 cup of the melon into a blender. Add 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, lime juice, honey, and salt. Blend until smooth. Add the remaining melon and blend again. Pour the melon mixture into a bowl, cover, and chill for at least 1 hour.⦁ Ladle the soup into 6 bowls. Each serving will be about 3/4 cup. Garnish each serving with a thin slice of lime and a sprig of mint.
Variations
Try This Deliscious Variation
1 cup Strawberries
1 cup melon
1 cucumber.
½ cup yogurt,
cilantro,
scallions.
Salt,
red pepper
relish.
1 lime juice.
1 garlic clove, olive oil.
Mix all the ingredients and let it cool for about 5 hours.
Choose Your Melon
Select a Ripe Melon: The soup will only be as good as your honeydew. Look for one that is creamy yellow in color, feels heavy for its size, and has a pleasant, sweet fragrance before you cut it open.
The Chill Factor
Chill Ingredients First: It's best to chop and chill the honeydew before blending. This allows you to serve the soup almost immediately after mixing, as the flavors are at their best on the day it is made.
Balance is Key
Add Acidity: Honeydew can be very sweet. The simple addition of fresh lime juice or lemon juice is crucial for balancing the flavor and making the soup taste bright and refreshing, rather than cloyingly sweet.
Blending Technique
Don't Over-Blend the Mint: To avoid a bitter flavor, briefly blend the mint or pulse it into the soup just before serving. For a smoother texture, some recipes suggest straining the soup after blending to remove any fibrous solids.
Serving Suggestion
Chill the Bowls: For the ultimate cooling experience, chill your serving bowls, glasses, or ramekins in the freezer for about 30 minutes before serving the soup.
Adjusting Consistency
Thinning the Soup: If the soup is too thick after blending and chilling, thin it with a tablespoon of water, coconut water, or a splash of wine until you reach your desired consistency.
Exciting Variations and Pairings
You can easily adapt your honeydew-mint soup by adding a few extra ingredients for sweetness, creaminess, spice, or a savory element.
Flavor Boosts & Added Depth
Variation Type & Ingredient to Add (and why)
Spice & Heat
Fresh Ginger: Adds a lovely, warm contrast to the cool melon.
Chili: A small piece of Serrano or Jalapeño chili for a sweet-spicy kick (seeds removed for less heat).
Herbal & Aromatic
Fresh Basil: Pairs wonderfully with mint and melon for an unexpected, complex, and savory-sweet flavor
Citrus & Zest
Lime or Lemon Zest: A small amount of grated zest will punch up the citrus flavor more than just the juice alone.
A Hint of Alcohol
Dry Rosé or Champagne: A splash of sparkling wine or dry rosé adds complexity and a sophisticated tang.
Toppings and Garnishes
The garnish can completely transform the soup from a simple puree to a starter, side, or light dessert.
Creamy Texture: A swirl or dollop of Greek yogurt, sour cream, crème fraîche, or a vegan yogurt for richness. (Results 1.3, 2.4, 4.6)
Sweet & Salty: The classic melon pairing: thinly sliced or diced Prosciutto or crispy Pancetta pieces. (Results 1.1, 4.1)
Crunch & Texture: Chopped pistachios or Marcona almonds add a pleasant crunch and nutty flavor. (Results 1.5, 4.1)
Fresh & Fruity: Small balls or cubes of other fresh melon (like cantaloupe or watermelon) or fresh blueberries. (Results 1.1, 3.1)
Major Recipe Twists
Honeydew-Cucumber Soup: Add cucumber and Greek yogurt for a more savory, crisp, and refreshing profile. This leans toward a sweet gazpacho.
Dual Melon Soup: Prepare a separate batch of cantaloupe soup (often paired with ginger or cinnamon) and ladle both colors into a shallow bowl simultaneously for a beautiful "yin-yang" presentation. (Result 3.4