Minty Citrus Cooler – cool, refreshing summer drink!

My sister, Marla Payne, highly recommends this recipe which came from her friend Theresa Omar.

Marla made it for her daughter’s high school graduation party and for a family gathering. Definitely a cool, refreshing and delicious summer drink!

Although the original name for this beverage was Lemonade Cooler, I renamed it Minty Citrus Cooler.

Packed mint leaves.

Minty Citrus Cooler

Minty Citrus Cooler Concentrate

1 ½ cups granulated sugar                        

2 ½ cups water                                

1 cup fresh mint leaves (I pack it into the cup)

¾ cup fresh orange juice

1 cup lemon juice (fresh or frozen)

1. Combine sugar and water. Boil for 5 minutes to create a simple syrup.
2. Pour simple syrup over mint leaves in a large glass or crock bowl. 
   
3. Add juices and let steep for 1 hour. 
4. Strain and cool. 
   
5. This makes 1 quart of lemonade base. 
   
   
   
   
6. When ready to serve, mix together equal parts of Minty Citrus Cooler Concentrate and water. Serve over crushed ice.  Garnish with fresh lemon or orange slices and/or mint leaves.

Note from Theresa—This recipe can be varied all sorts of ways!  I’ve mixed equal parts of the base with Sprite or club soda as a punch.  We’ve mixed it, by the drink, with vodka, too—NOT equal parts, though! J

Recipe without photos . . .

Minty Citrus Cooler

Minty Citrus Cooler Concentrate

1 ½ cups granulated sugar                         

2 ½ cups water                                 

1 cup fresh mint leaves (I pack it into the cup)

¾ cup fresh orange juice

1 cup lemon juice (fresh or frozen)

1. Combine sugar and water. Boil for 5 minutes to create a simple syrup.
2. Pour simple syrup over mint leaves in a large glass or crock bowl. 
3. Add juices and let steep for 1 hour. 
4. Strain and cool. 
5. This makes 1 quart of lemonade base. 
6. When ready to serve, mix together equal parts of Minty Citrus Cooler Concentrate and water. Serve over crushed ice.  Garnish with fresh lemon or orange slices and/or mint leaves.

Note from Theresa—This recipe can be varied all sorts of ways!  I’ve mixed equal parts of the base with Sprite or club soda as a punch.  We’ve mixed it, by the drink, with vodka, too—NOT equal parts, though! J