Refreshing Kiwi Mint Lime Cooler

Name: Fresh Kiwi Mint Lime Cooler
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 4 servings, about 10 ounces each
Cuisine: International
Ingredients: 6 ripe green kiwis, peeled and quartered, about 1 pound total; 1/2 cup packed fresh mint leaves, tender stems removed; 1/3 cup fresh lime juice, from about 3 medium limes; 1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest; 3 tablespoons honey, agave nectar, or simple syrup; 1 cup cold still water, chilled to about 40 degrees F; 2 cups ice cubes; 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt; 2 cups cold sparkling water, chilled to about 40 degrees F; 1 to 2 cups additional ice cubes, for serving; 4 fresh mint sprigs; 4 thin lime wheels; 4 thin kiwi slices, skin removed if preferred; 1 to 2 teaspoons extra honey, agave nectar, or simple syrup, if your kiwis are very tart; 1 to 2 teaspoons extra fresh lime juice, if you prefer a sharper citrus finish; 1/4 cup coconut water in place of 1/4 cup still water, for a softer tropical note

Imperial June 24, 2026June 24, 2026

Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR)

Yield: 4 servings, about 10 ounces each
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Quick Ingredients

6 ripe green kiwis, peeled and quartered, about 1 pound total
1/2 cup packed fresh mint leaves, plus extra sprigs for garnish
1/3 cup fresh lime juice, from about 3 medium limes
1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest
3 tablespoons honey, agave nectar, or simple syrup, plus more to taste
1 cup cold still water, chilled to about 40 degrees F
2 cups cold sparkling water, chilled to about 40 degrees F
2 cups ice cubes, plus more for serving
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
Lime wheels and kiwi slices, for garnish

Do This

1. Chill 4 tall glasses in the refrigerator for 10 minutes, if time allows.
2. Add kiwi, mint, lime juice, lime zest, sweetener, cold still water, ice, and salt to a blender.
3. Blend on high for 30 to 45 seconds, until bright green and smooth.
4. Taste and adjust with 1 to 2 teaspoons more sweetener or lime juice, if needed.
5. For a smoother drink, strain through a fine-mesh sieve; for a thicker cooler, leave it as is.
6. Divide over ice and top each glass with 1/2 cup cold sparkling water.
7. Stir gently, garnish with mint, lime, and kiwi, then serve immediately.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Bright and refreshing: Tart lime, sweet kiwi, and cooling mint make every sip crisp and lively.
Beautifully green: The color is naturally vibrant, making this cooler perfect for brunches, warm afternoons, and garden gatherings.
Easy to customize: Make it sweeter, more tart, fizzy, still, mocktail-style, or cocktail-ready with simple adjustments.
No cooking required: Everything comes together in a blender in about 10 minutes.

Grocery List

Produce: 6 ripe green kiwis, 3 medium limes, 1 bunch fresh mint, optional extra kiwi and lime for garnish
Dairy: None
Pantry: Honey, agave nectar, or simple syrup; fine sea salt; ice; still water; sparkling water

Full Ingredients

For the Kiwi Mint Lime Cooler

6 ripe green kiwis, peeled and quartered, about 1 pound total
1/2 cup packed fresh mint leaves, tender stems removed
1/3 cup fresh lime juice, from about 3 medium limes
1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest
3 tablespoons honey, agave nectar, or simple syrup
1 cup cold still water, chilled to about 40 degrees F
2 cups ice cubes
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 cups cold sparkling water, chilled to about 40 degrees F

For Serving and Garnish

1 to 2 cups additional ice cubes, for serving
4 fresh mint sprigs
4 thin lime wheels
4 thin kiwi slices, skin removed if preferred

Optional Adjustments

1 to 2 teaspoons extra honey, agave nectar, or simple syrup, if your kiwis are very tart
1 to 2 teaspoons extra fresh lime juice, if you prefer a sharper citrus finish
1/4 cup coconut water in place of 1/4 cup still water, for a softer tropical note

Refreshing Kiwi Mint Lime Cooler – Closeup

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Chill the glasses and gather the ingredients

Place 4 tall glasses in the refrigerator for 10 minutes or in the freezer for 5 minutes while you prepare the cooler. A cold glass helps the drink stay bright, crisp, and refreshing. Set out the kiwis, mint, limes, sweetener, still water, sparkling water, ice, and garnishes so everything is ready before blending.

Step 2: Prepare the kiwi, mint, and lime

Peel the 6 kiwis and cut them into quarters. Pick 1/2 cup packed mint leaves from the stems, using mostly tender, fresh-looking leaves. Zest 1 lime until you have 1 teaspoon finely grated zest, then juice the limes until you have 1/3 cup fresh lime juice. Avoid grating the white pith beneath the lime peel, which can taste bitter.

Step 3: Blend the base

Add the quartered kiwis, mint leaves, lime juice, lime zest, 3 tablespoons honey or agave, 1 cup cold still water, 2 cups ice cubes, and 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt to a blender. Blend on high speed for 30 to 45 seconds, or until the mixture is smooth, frothy, and vivid green. The salt should not make the drink taste salty; it simply helps the kiwi and lime flavors pop.

Step 4: Taste and balance the flavor

Dip a spoon into the blended cooler and taste it before adding the sparkling water. If the drink tastes too tart, blend in 1 to 2 teaspoons more honey, agave, or simple syrup. If it tastes too sweet or mild, blend in 1 to 2 teaspoons more fresh lime juice. Ripe kiwis vary in sweetness, so this small adjustment makes the drink taste fresh and balanced every time.

Step 5: Strain if you want a smoother finish

For a silky, more refined cooler, pour the blended kiwi mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher, pressing gently with a spoon to extract the liquid. This removes some kiwi seeds and mint flecks. If you enjoy a thicker, smoothie-like texture with more natural fruit body, skip straining and pour the mixture directly into a pitcher.

Step 6: Add sparkle gently

Just before serving, add the 2 cups cold sparkling water to the pitcher. Stir slowly 3 to 4 times with a long spoon. Do not blend the sparkling water, because blending will flatten the bubbles. Keeping the sparkling water chilled to about 40 degrees F gives the cooler a crisp, lively finish.

Step 7: Serve over ice and garnish

Fill each chilled glass with fresh ice. Divide the kiwi mint lime cooler evenly among the 4 glasses, pouring about 10 ounces into each one. Garnish each glass with a mint sprig, a thin lime wheel, and a kiwi slice. Serve immediately while the drink is cold, fizzy, and bright green.

Pro Tips

Use ripe kiwis: A ripe kiwi should yield slightly when gently pressed. Firm kiwis will make the drink more tart and less aromatic.
Add mint before blending, not muddling: Blending the mint with the fruit distributes the herbal flavor evenly without bruising it too aggressively.
Adjust sweetness after blending: Kiwi and lime can vary a lot, so tasting before serving is the easiest way to get the perfect balance.
Keep the bubbles for the end: Sparkling water should always be stirred in right before serving so the cooler stays fizzy.
Serve very cold: This drink tastes best when the fruit, water, and glasses are chilled; aim for ingredients around 40 degrees F.

Variations

Kiwi Coconut Mint Cooler: Replace 1 cup still water with 1 cup cold coconut water for a rounder tropical flavor.
Cucumber Kiwi Cooler: Add 1 cup peeled, chopped cucumber to the blender for an extra-refreshing spa-style drink.
Sparkling Kiwi Mojito Mocktail: Add 1/4 teaspoon alcohol-free rum extract or a splash of ginger beer in place of some sparkling water for a more mocktail-style finish.

Storage & Make-Ahead

This cooler is best served immediately after the sparkling water is added. To make it ahead, blend the kiwi, mint, lime, sweetener, still water, ice, and salt, then refrigerate the blended base in an airtight jar or pitcher for up to 24 hours at 40 degrees F or colder. Stir well before serving, because the fruit may separate as it sits. Add the sparkling water only at the last minute. Leftover finished cooler can be refrigerated for up to 12 hours, but it will lose most of its fizz and may darken slightly in color.

Nutrition (per serving)