Fruit Cooler Recipes

SPARKLING FRUIT COOLERS

Steps:

• Freeze the lemonade, limeade, and juice in 3 or 4 ice cube trays.
• Fill each of 4 tall glasses to the top with an assortment of ice cubes and add sparkling water to fill. Garnish with limes and serve with iced tea spoons.

LEMONY FRUIT COOLER

Steps:

• In a punch bowl or pitcher, mix sugar and lemon juice until sugar is dissolved. Stir in grape juice., To serve, stir in club soda and fruit. If desired, serve with ice.

AGUAS FRESCAS (MEXICAN FRUIT COOLERS)

Steps:

• Stir the sugar and water together in a large pitcher until the sugar dissolves. Measure out 1 cup. Puree the fruit and the 1 cup sugar water in a blender. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer back into the pitcher with the sugar water, mashing with a whisk or wooden spoon to eliminate any pulp.
• Taste and add more sugar, if desired. Serve over ice, with a lemon or lime wedge, if desired.

SUMMER COOLERS

Steps:

• Add the watermelon, strawberries, raspberries, sugar and lime juice to a blender and blend to a fine puree. Divide the mixture among eight 8-ounce freezer-safe pots/containers with plastic lids. Freeze for 4 hours to rock solid, 3 hours if you want them a little slushy.

PASSION FRUIT COOLER (NON-ALCOHOLIC)

Steps:

• In a large pitcher, combine all ingredients and stir. Serve chilled in highball glasses.

FRUIT COOLER (ALCOHOLIC)

Steps:

• Combine first 4 ingredients (pineapple juice - sugar) in a blender or food processor and blend into smooth.
• Transfer to a chilled pitcher and stir in soda and bourbon.

MEXICAN FRUIT COOLER

Steps:

• In a blender combine all ingredients and blend on high speed until completely smooth. Pour cooler through a fine sieve into a glass pitcher. Chill cooler and stir before serving.

FIZZY FERMENTED FRUIT COOLERS (FINNISH SIMA)

Steps:

• Combine 2 gallons water, sugar, cranberry sauce, limes, mulberries, lemon juice, dates, 1/3 cup raisins, and ground ginger in a large pot over high heat. Heat mixture until boiling, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Boil a kettle of water and use it to rinse the rim and inside of a 5-gallon food-safe container or bucket. Rinse a second time.
• Pour the hot sugar-fruit mixture into the sterilized container. Top off with boiling water to 1 or 2 inches below the rim. Cover the container with a clean thin plastic sheet and secure with a large rubber band. Place in a draft-free area until cool, 4 to 5 hours.
• Combine 1/2 cup water and 10 raisins in a small pot over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat, cover tightly, and let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Stir in brewers' yeast. Cover sima tightly and let sit until mixture is a bit foamy, 6 to 12 hours.
• Sterilize a spoon with boiling water. Stir the hydrated yeast mixture and pour it into the sugar-fruit mixture in the 5-gallon container. Stir; there should be some bubbles and foam.
• Cover the 5-gallon container again with the plastic sheet and secure with the rubber band. Add a layer of newspaper and a board or piece of plywood on top; this will keep out air while allowing carbon dioxide to escape.
• Allow the sima to ferment for 2 days to 3 weeks, depending on the amount of fermentation and alcohol content you desire.
• Sterilize 10 plastic 1.5-liter soda bottles and caps with a 2% bleach solution. Rinse bottles well and allow to air dry.
• Fill the bottles with sima and cap them. Let the bottles sit at room temperature until hardened; store in the refrigerator 8 hours to overnight or until serving.