Skip to main content
Epicurious

Vanilla Strawberry Cooler

A vanilla bean is an extravagance that lends a note of sophistication to this drink, but extract is a fine substitute.

Cook's notes:

Cooler can be chilled, covered, up to 1 day. Vanilla pod can be placed in a jar of sugar to flavor it.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes about 1 1/2 quarts

Ingredients

1 lb strawberries (1 qt), trimmed and halved (quartered if large)
1 cup fresh lemon juice
3/4 cup superfine granulated sugar
4 cups water
1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise, or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation

  1. Blend strawberries, lemon juice, sugar, and 2 cups water in a blender, 1 to 2 minutes (in batches if necessary). Scrape seeds from vanilla bean with tip of a knife into blender (or add extract), then blend with strawberry purée. If desired, pour through a very fine sieve into a pitcher to remove strawberry seeds, pressing hard on solids. Stir in remaining 2 cups water and serve over ice.

TagsCold DrinkBeveragesPunchAmericanStrawberryBerryFruitLemonCitrusVanillaHerbs & SpicesNonalcoholicDairy FreeGluten FreeNut FreeVeganVegetarianRawMake AheadEasyQuick5 Ingredients or Fewer30 Minutes or LessBlenderGourmet
Read More
Mango Sticky Rice
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
Soy-Glazed Salmon Bowls
Saucy, soy-honey salmon—cut into cubes to speed up the cooking process—makes a savory topping for a quick weeknight bowl.
Grasshopper Brownies
These decadent brownies feature a sweet, minty topping complemented by a rich dark chocolate ganache and mini chocolate chips for added texture.
Easy Egg Custard
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
Sheet-Pan Sausage With Corn, Peach, and Cucumber Salad
This summery sheet-pan dinner celebrates the bounty of the season and couldn't be simpler to make. Chorizo plays nicely with the salad, thanks to its spice.
Tomato Aguachile
Juicy peak-season tomatoes make the perfect plant-based swap for aguachile.
Simple Hot Cocoa for One
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.
Minty Chicken Meatballs
Who says ground chicken is boring? Two whole bunches of mint and some aromatics give these chicken meatballs their bracingly herby flavor.