[2] Use cantaloupe or one of its relatives (e.g. Persian), or substitute honeydew (photo © Good Eggs).

Grey Goose Le Melon showcases the Cavaillon melon from the South of France, a variety of cantaloupe with pale, greenish skin and distinctive green vertical markings.

Cavaillon is a commune in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region in southeastern France. For centuries, the rich soil and concentrated sunshine have produced melons with high sugar content, that are celebrated for their signature flavor of wildflower honey.

The melons are picked in July and August (see more about the variety below). The flavor is concentrated and extracted through maceration of the flesh in Grey Goose vodka. Learn more at GreyGoose.com.

For the purest expression of the vodka flavor, just add ice!
 
 
RECIPE #1: MELON ON THE ROCKS

Ingredients Per Drink

 
Preparation

1. FILL a shaker with ice and add Le Melon. Shake well and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.

2. GARNISH with fresh melon.
 
TIP: Use this preparation for all rocks drinks. To really chill the spirit, don’t just pour it into an ice-filled glass. First shake it with ice; then strain it into a rocks glass over more ice.

Prefer something fizzy? Simply add 1/2 ounce (half a shot glass) of Le Melon to a glass and top with sparkling wine. Or, try this cocktail:
 
 
RECIPE #2: MELON ROYALE

Ingredients Per Drink

 
Preparation

1. FILL a rocks glass with ice. Add Le Melon

2. TOP with lemon-lime soda. Garnish and serve.
 
 
RECIPE #3: MELON MULE

This twist on the classic Moscow Mule replaces plain vodka with Le Melon.

Ingredients Per Drink

 
Preparation

1. FILL a cocktail shaker with ice cubes and add Le Melon and the juice from three lime wedges.

2. SHAKE will and strain into a copper mug filled with crushed ice. Top with ginger beer and garnish with a lime wedge.

[4] Make it a Melon Mule with a glass of ginger beer (photo © Goslings).

The Cavaillon melon was first cultivated in France in the 14th century, from seeds brought from Cantalupo, Italy to Provence. The melon is now grown in North America and elsewhere.

Ripe Cavaillon melons have a lime green skin with pale green vertical striping, a bright orange flesh and a floral-sweet aroma. It also has a lovely fragrance, even before it is cut.

Serve it with prosciutto, or turn it into: