Mexican Fruit Cooler Food

SPICY TROPICAL COOLERS

Steps:

• Make the jalapeno syrup: Bring the sugar, 2/3 cup water and half of the jalapeno slices to a simmer in a small saucepan, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat and let cool completely, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, muddle the remaining jalapeno slices in a large liquid measuring cup with a wooden spoon. Add the pineapple juice; let sit while the syrup cools.
• Strain the jalapeno syrup and pineapple juice mixture into a pitcher. Stir in the vodka, mango nectar and lime juice and refrigerate until ready to serve. Pour into ice-filled glasses; garnish with skewers of pineapple, jalapeno and mango.

PASSION FRUIT COOLER (NON-ALCOHOLIC)

Steps:

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

SPARKLING HIBISCUS COOLER

Steps:

• Combine water, hibiscus petals, cinnamon, clove, allspice, and nutmeg in a medium pot. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 1/2 hours.
• Remove from heat and stir in sugar until dissolved, about 1 minute. Cool syrup to room temperature, about 1 hour. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Make hibiscus coolers by filling 10 glasses with ice. Pour 3 fluid ounces hibiscus syrup into each glass; top with 8 fluid ounces sparkling water. Squeeze 1 lime wedge into each glass.

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.

FRUIT COOLER

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.
• Pour over ice and serve.

MEXICAN TAMARIND COOLER (AGUA DE TAMARINDO)

Steps:

• Unpeel the fresh tamarind pods.
• Scrape any remaining peel bits under running water,.
• Bring unpeeled tamarind to boil in some of the recipe water.
• Simmer for about 3 min.
• Let cool and with hands get the pits out.
• Process unpitted pulp in blender.
• Sweeten remainding water.
• Mix everything together.
• Sieve for any remaining pulp threads or peel bits.
• Chill and enjoy.