Cantaloupe Aqua Fresca with Beet Swirl

Directions

1. 1.

   Preheat oven to 425°F with rack in middle.

2. 2.

   Wrap beet in foil and put in a small 4-sided sheet pan, then roast until tender when pierced with a knife, 45 to 50 minutes. Unwrap and let stand until cool enough to handle.

3. 3.

   While beet roasts, purée cantaloupe, 3 cups water, lime juice, and 1/4 to 1/3 cup sugar (to taste) in 3 to 4 batches in a blender until very smooth, about 1 minute per batch. Chill agua fresca until cold, about 2 hours.

4. 4.

   Peel and chop beet, then purée with remaining cup water and remaining tablespoon sugar in cleaned blender until smooth. Chill beet purée until cold, about 2 hours.

5. 5.

   To serve, pour agua fresca over ice in tall glasses, then dollop 1 Tbsp beet purée on top of each drink, swirling it decoratively with a spoon.