High Fructose Corn Syrup Free Garden Strawberry Lime Cooler
This vibrant strawberry-lime cooler is the kind of drink that makes you feel like you're sitting on a porch in the middle of summer, even if you're just standing at your kitchen counter. The base is built on real maple syrup instead of the corn-derived sweeteners that sneak into so many store-bought sodas and flavored drinks, so you can sip without second-guessing the label. Fresh strawberries are simmered with lime zest until they break down into a gorgeous deep-pink syrup, which gets strained smooth before being brightened with a generous pour of fresh lime juice. Topped with chilled sparkling water and poured over ice, the result is effervescent, tart, and just sweet enough — nothing artificial, nothing processed. It's a genuinely satisfying alternative to bottled lemonade or fruit punch, and the color alone is enough to make everyone at the table ask what's in it. A sprig of mint and a lime wheel finish each glass beautifully if you want to make it feel a little extra special.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the strawberry-lime syrup
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup water
- 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
- 1 tbsp lime zest (from about 2 limes)
For the cooler
- ½ cup fresh lime juice (from about 4 limes)
- 3 cups sparkling water, chilled
- 2 cups ice cubes
For serving
- 4 fresh mint sprigs (optional)
- 4 lime wheels or wedges (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the maple syrup, water, strawberries, and lime zest in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries soften and begin to break down and the syrup turns a deep pink, about 4–5 minutes.
- 2
Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture cool for 15 minutes. Pour through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher, pressing the solids firmly with the back of a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids.
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