Feeling more rustic than refined? Exploding with succulent red fruit flavor and laced with subtle vanilla sweetness, this Strawberry, Redcurrant and Vanilla Cooler is the perfect partner for a summer scorcher.
The redcurrant cordial takes a little while to make, as you’ll need to steep the fruit in the simple syrup and allow the mixture to return to room temperature before you mix the drinks. You can get ahead by preparing the redcurrant cordial in advance and storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
When you’re ready to serve, it’s a breeze to assemble the mocktail. All of the ingredients are thrown into a highball glass without any need for shaking or straining. As a result, you’re left with gorgeous fleshy pieces of crushed strawberry that adds bursts of flavor and texture to the final drink.
Light and refreshing with a hint of indulgence. What more could you want?
The Story Behind This Cooler (And Why It’s Not Really A New Idea)
I’ll be honest, I didn’t set out to make a “cooler.” I set out to use up a ridiculous glut of redcurrants that showed up in my garden one August, and this drink was the happy accident that came out of it. But it turns out I was following a much older tradition than I realized.
“Coolers” have been a category of their own since long before mocktails were a thing – think back to the wine coolers of the 1980s, or further still to the fruit-and-soda concoctions people mixed on porches in the days before anyone had a fridge worth trusting. The idea was always the same: something light, something cold, something that made a hot afternoon feel a little more bearable. Strip the alcohol out, and you’re left with exactly what a cooler was always really about: fruit, fizz, and ice.
Strawberries and redcurrants aren’t a pairing you see often, but they’ve got real chemistry. Strawberries bring the sweetness and that soft, muddled texture; redcurrants bring a sharp, almost cranberry-like tartness that keeps the whole thing from tipping into “dessert” territory. Add a whisper of vanilla, and you’ve got something that tastes considerably more sophisticated than the five minutes of effort it took to make.
Prep Your Equipment
Grab a heavy-bottomed saucepan, a wooden spoon, and a fine-mesh sieve for the cordial. For the drink itself, you’ll just need a highball glass, a muddler, and a cocktail spoon. No shaker required.
Combine Ingredients
Start with the redcurrant cordial. In the saucepan over medium heat, add the sugar and water and stir until the sugar has fully dissolved. Add the redcurrants and bring the mixture to a boil. Don’t worry about the stalks; they’ll get filtered out later. Use a wooden spoon to crush the berries into the liquid as it boils, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
Let It Cool
Take the saucepan off the heat and let the berries steep in the sugar syrup until it returns to room temperature. This step matters more than it seems; a cordial that goes into your drink while still warm will melt your ice and water everything down. Once it’s cooled, pass the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to strain out the skins and seeds, and set the juice aside.
Assemble in the Glass
In a highball glass, use a muddler to crush the strawberries to a pulp. Add the lemon juice, the cooled redcurrant cordial, and the vanilla bean paste. Fill the glass with ice and top with soda water, then give it a gentle stir with a cocktail spoon. Stick to stirring rather than shaking, or you’ll lose the fizz.
Garnish and Serve
Finish with a strawberry, a small cluster of redcurrants on the stem, and a sprig of fresh mint. Serve immediately while it’s still cold and fizzy.
Berry Superstitious: Strawberry, Redcurrant, and Vanilla Cooler
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- First, start with the redcurrant cordial.
- In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, add the sugar and water.
- Stir until the sugar has fully dissolved.
- Add the redcurrants and bring the mixture to a boil. Note: there is no need to remove the stalks as they will be filtered out later.
- Use a wooden spoon to crush the berries into the liquid.
- Once this mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and leave the berries to steep in the sugar juice until cool.
- Pass the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any solids. Reserve the juice.
- Next, assemble the mocktail.
- In a highball glass, use a muddler to crush the strawberries to a pulp.
- Add the lemon juice, redcurrant cordial, and vanilla bean paste.
- Fill the glass with ice, and top with soda water.
- Use a cocktail spoon to gently mix the ingredients together.
- Garnish with strawberry, redcurrants, and mint.
Similar Mocktails
If you liked Berry Superstitious, check out:
- Tidal Currant: Blackcurrant, Apple and Mint Tonic
- Bramble & Blossom: Blackberry and Elderflower Crush
- Strawberry Dreaming: Strawberry, Apple and Mint Crush
- Tickled Pink: Strawberry Basil Lemonade Recipe
Strawberry, Redcurrant, and Vanilla Cooler FAQ
Can I use frozen strawberries for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen strawberries if fresh ones are not available. However, I’d always recommend fresh, ripe strawberries where possible as they will give the best flavor.
How long does it take to make the redcurrant cordial?
It takes about 45 minutes to make the redcurrant cordial including time to steep the berries and cool the liquid.
Can I substitute redcurrants with another fruit for the cordial?
While redcurrants provide a unique flavor to the mocktail, you could try using other tart berries like blackcurrants or raspberries as a substitute for the cordial.
How long can I store the redcurrant cordial?
You can store the redcurrant cordial in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or in the freezer for up to two months.
Is the vanilla bean paste necessary, and can I adjust the amount?
The vanilla bean paste adds a subtle sweet floral flavor to the mocktail. It’s not necessary, but adds something special to complement the fruit. You can adjust the quantity based on how strong you’d like the vanilla taste to be. Start with a small amount and add more if desired.
Can I use carbonated lemonade instead of soda water?
Yes. For a sweeter and tangier drink, you can substitute the soda water for carbonated lemonade.
Is this mocktail suitable for children?
There can be a tiny amount of alcohol in vanilla bean paste. Check the ingredient’s label when considering serving the drink to children. You can always omit the vanilla bean paste if necessary. Otherwise, the recipe is alcohol-free.
Can I make this Strawberry, Redcurrant and Vanilla Cooler in advance for a party?
It’s best to assemble the mocktail immediately before serving to retain its freshness and fizz. However, you can prepare the redcurrant cordial in advance and keep it refrigerated until you are ready to mix the drinks.
Can I use a blender instead of a muddler to crush the strawberries?
Yes, you can use a blender instead of a muddler to crush the strawberries. It will result in a smoother texture, but will taste equally as delicious. It does require a little more washing up though!
Are there any alternatives for garnishing?
You can get creative with the garnish. It’s traditional to decorate a mocktail with the ingredients used to make the drink: hence, the strawberries and redcurrants. However, you could opt for a slice of lemon, or sprig of mint for a more simplistic touch instead.
Is this recipe suitable for vegans?
Yes, this recipe is vegan-friendly, as it doesn’t contain any animal products.
Did you make this? Tag me @mightymocktail or use the hashtag #mightymocktail!