Best Spicy Tropical Coolers Recipes

TROPICAL COOLER

Steps:

• Just before serving, combine the first 4 ingredients in a punch bowl. If desired, garnish with fruit or edible flowers.

WATERMELON WINE COOLERS

Steps:

• Stir together 16 ounces chilled dry rosé, 8 ounces each blood orange soda and watermelon juice and 1 ounce lime juice in a pitcher with ice.

TROPICAL CHEWIES

Steps:

• Beat 1 1/2 sticks melted butter, 3/4 cup dark brown sugar and 3/4 cup granulated sugar until fluffy; beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla and 2 eggs. Whisk 2 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 teaspoon baking soda and 1 teaspoon salt, then stir into the butter mixture. Add 2 cups white chocolate chips, 1 cup chopped macadamia nuts, 1/2 cup chopped almonds and 3/4 cup shredded coconut. Scoop into medium balls, sprinkle with coconut and chill. Bake 12 to 15 minutes at 350 degrees.

TAMARIND GINGER COOLER

Steps:

• Break up tamarind with your fingers into a small heavy saucepan. Add 2 cups water and simmer, stirring occasionally and breaking up tamarind as it softens, 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand 15 minutes. Strain through sieve into a bowl, pressing on and then discarding solids.
• Whisk together ginger syrup, tamarind purée, remaining 5 cups water, and kosher salt in a large pitcher. Chill until cold.
• Stir drink (it will separate as it stands), then pour into glasses filled two-thirds with ice. Top off with soda water.

MELON-CUCUMBER COOLERS

Steps:

• Combine the melon, cucumber, sugar, lemon juice and 1 cup water in a blender and puree until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher, using a ladle to push the mixture through.
• Add the vodka and liqueur to the pitcher and stir to combine. Refrigerate until cold, at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours. Divide among ice-filled glasses; garnish with cucumber spears.

PRICKLY PEAR COOLERS

Steps:

• Halve 2 pounds prickly pears (about 8) lengthwise, scoop out the flesh and chop. Mix with 1/2 cup sugar in a saucepan; let sit until juicy, 5 minutes. Bring to a boil, then remove from the heat. Mash the fruit and let sit 10 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve and refrigerate the syrup until cool, 1 hour. Combine the cooled syrup, 1 1/2 cups tequila, 1 cup orange juice and 1/2 cup lime juice in a pitcher. Add 3 cups cold seltzer. Serve over ice.

LIME COOLERS

Steps:

• Make Classic Sugar Cookies with lime zest instead of orange. Whisk 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, 2 tablespoons green decorating sugar and 3 tablespoons lime juice, then spread over finished cookies.