Cool as a Kiwi

Sweet kiwi, tangy lemon and a splash of fizz come together in this ultra-refreshing summer cooler that works just as well as a cocktail as it does a mocktail.

There’s nothing like a summer cocktail that’s both quenching and genuinely delicious — the kind of drink that cools you down fast, tastes bright and fresh and feels like a little reward at the end of a hot day. This Kiwi Citrus Cooler hits all the right notes: tangy lemon, sweet honey and tropical-green kiwi flavor.

The funny thing is, this recipe started with my son. He recently discovered he loves kiwis, so we’ve been keeping them in the house nonstop. And since I’m always experimenting with new cocktail ideas, I started looking for ways to use what we already had on hand.

That’s when this one came together almost by accident. I keep a bowl of sunny-colored lemons on the table, so I had fresh lemon ready to squeeze. Our bar is always stocked with a few vodkas, including lemon-flavored vodka, so the drink basically built itself: kiwi puree, lemon, honey, vodka, ice and a splash of Sprite.

Kiwi brings a little bonus beyond flavor. It’s packed with vitamin C, antioxidants and fiber, and lemon adds its own citrusy boost. This can easily become a mocktail by skipping the vodka and topping it off with a little extra Sprite or sparkling water. That’s exactly what I made for my son, garnished with kiwi and lemon slices so he could feel like he had the “fancy” version too.

Whether it’s spiked with vodka or served as a kid-friendly mocktail, you’ll want this refreshing treat on repeat all season long.

Print Recipe

Kiwi Citrus Cooler

Sweet kiwi, tangy lemon and a splash of fizz come together in this ultra-refreshing summer cooler that works just as well as a cocktail as it does a mocktail.

Course

Drink

Cuisine

cocktail

Keyword

kiwi, lemon, vodka

Servings

drink

Ingredients

• 2 ounces kiwi puree
• 1 teaspoon fresh-squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 ounce lemon flavored vodka
• ice
• Sprite
• Lemonand Kiwi slices for garnish

Course Drink Cuisine cocktail Keyword kiwi, lemon, vodka Servings drink Ingredients 2 ounces kiwi puree 1 teaspoon fresh-squeezed lemon juice 1 tablespoon honey 1 ounce lemon flavored vodka ice Sprite Lemonand Kiwi slices for garnish

Instructions

1. Muddle or puree a kiwi with an emulsifier. Add 2 ounces of the puree to a glass.
2. Add lemon juice, honey and lemon-flavored vodka to the glass of puree and stir to mix.
3. Drop in ice and top with Sprite.
4. Add lemon and kiwi slices for garnish.