Kenny Cooler Recipe: Refreshing Summer Cocktail To Beat The Heat

As the temperatures rise, there's nothing better than an ice cold cocktail to help you beat the summer heat. The Kenny Cooler is the perfect thirst-quenching drink, featuring refreshing ingredients like grapefruit juice, club soda, and vodka. This fizzy citrus drink is sure to be your new go-to summer sipper.

What is the Kenny Cooler?

The Kenny Cooler is a refreshing summer cocktail made with grapefruit juice, club soda, vodka, and fresh mint. This effervescent drink combines tart citrus flavors with the slightest hint of botanicals from the mint. The Kenny Cooler is bubbly, bright, and balanced - ideal for backyard barbecues, beach days, or just lounging poolside on a hot summer afternoon.

History and Origins

The origins of the Kenny Cooler cocktail are disputable, but it's commonly believed to have been invented at some point in the 1960s. Like many great classic cocktails, the Kenny Cooler was likely created by an inspired bartender experimenting with refreshing flavors. The tangy grapefruit and effervescent club soda make it the perfect drink for staying cool when the temperature rises.

This cocktail is named after Kenny Chesney, the famous American country music singer and songwriter. While Chesney himself didn't invent this drink, his laidback island vibes and affinity for relaxation make him the perfect namesake for this chilled-out summertime sipper.

Ingredients

The beauty of the Kenny Cooler lies in its simplicity. This cocktail only requires a handful of ingredients, most of which you likely already have stocked in your home bar.

To make one Kenny Cooler cocktail, you will need:

• 2 ounces (60ml) vodka
• 3 ounces (90ml) freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
• 2-3 ounces (60-90ml) club soda
• 2-3 mint leaves
• Ice cubes
• Lime wedge for garnish

Mixing Technique and Method

Mixing up this refreshing summer cocktail only takes a few easy steps:

1. Fill a tall glass with ice cubes.
2. Pour in the vodka and grapefruit juice. Give it a quick stir.
3. Top with club soda and gently stir again to incorporate.
4. Slap the mint leaves in your hand a few times to release the oils and aroma, then drop them into the glass.
5. Give a final quick stir and garnish with a lime wedge.

The entire process takes less than a minute, and requires no special skills or equipment beyond a spoon for stirring. The key is using fresh, quality ingredients to let the flavors shine through.

Serving Suggestions

The Kenny Cooler is typically served tall in a highball or collins glass over ice. Garnish with a bright lime wedge to accentuate the fresh citrus flavors.

This cocktail can be enjoyed year-round, but it's especially well-suited to spring and summer. It's light, crisp and vibrant, making it ideal for outdoor parties, beach bars, or a lazy Sunday brunch. Any casual setting where you want to add a touch of fun and refreshment is perfect for the Kenny Cooler.

You can riff on the classic recipe and play with different flavor variations too. Try using lemon, orange, or blood orange juice in place of the grapefruit. Or add in fresh berries like raspberries or blackberries for a fruit-forward twist.

Tips for the Best Kenny Cooler

To master this summertime sipper, keep these tips in mind:

• Always use fresh squeezed citrus juice. Bottled juice won't have the same bright, vibrant flavor.
• Mint adds a nice herbal component, but can overpower the drink. Use just 2-3 leaves.
• Include the club soda at the end and stir gently to preserve the fizz.
• Add extra grapefruit wedges or a cucumber slice to the glass for garnish.
• Chill your glassware ahead of time by storing it in the freezer for 30 minutes before using.

Variations

One of the great things about the Kenny Cooler is how adaptable it is. Once you have the basic template down, there are endless variations you can try out. Some tasty twists include:

• Prickly Pear Kenny Cooler - Substitute prickly pear juice for the grapefruit and garnish with a lime wheel.
• Watermelon Cooler - Use fresh watermelon juice and vodka. Rim the glass with chili-lime salt.
• Raspberry Lime Cooler - Muddle raspberries with the lime wedge and mint. Shake with vodka, club soda, and lime juice.
• Blueberry Mint Cooler - Swap blueberry juice for the grapefruit and add more mint.

You can also use gin or rum in place of the vodka, or modify the proportions to be more juice or soda forward. Make it a mocktail by omitting the liquor entirely. Get creative with your own local, seasonal ingredients too.

How to Batch the Kenny Cooler for a Crowd

Planning to serve this sparkling sipper at a summer soirée? You can easily batch it up to serve a crowd:

1. Determine how many drinks you need to make and multiply the ingredient amounts accordingly.
2. Juice all the citrus (grapefruit, lime, etc) at once and store in a sealed container in the fridge until ready to use.
3. Combine the juice, liquor, mint, and club soda in a punch bowl or large drink dispenser filled with ice.
4. Give it a quick stir to incorporate everything.
5. For serving, fill glasses with ice and ladle the punch into each glass.
6. Garnish with lime wheels or fresh berries.

Batching ahead helps streamline service so you can spend more time mingling with guests. Just be sure to give the punch a stir periodically as you serve to reincorporate the bubbly soda.

Storing and Leftover Tips

You'll want to drink the Kenny Cooler fresh, while the soda is nicely fizzy. But any leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.

• Store the leftover cocktail in a sealed container without the club soda or mint leaves added.
• When ready to serve again, pour the juice-vodka mixture over fresh ice and top with chilled club soda.
• Add in a few fresh mint leaves to revive the aromatics.
• Give it a quick stir and it's ready to be enjoyed again.

The citrus juice and vodka will keep just fine, allowing you to assemble fresh drinks as needed. Just be sure to use airtight storage containers and refrigerate promptly after mixing.

Fun Variations Here are a few more fun flavor variations to try with this endlessly adaptable cocktail:

• Paloma Cooler - Use grapefruit juice, lime juice and tequila.
• Gin & Tonic Cooler - Swap gin for the vodka and add lime.
• Vodka Cran Cooler - Use cranberry juice instead of grapefruit.
• Mojito Cooler - Mix with mint, lime and rum for a mojito twist.
• Hibiscus Cooler - Infuse the vodka with hibiscus tea and serve over ice.

Let your imagination run wild and come up with your own unique Kenny Cooler recipes to serve all season long! Recommended Vodka Brands

Since vodka is the base spirit for the Kenny Cooler, use a quality brand for the best flavor:

• Grey Goose
• Ketel One
• Belvedere
• Absolut
• Tito's
• Stolichnaya
• Svedka
• Skyy

Avoid bottom shelf vodkas, which can have harsh, unpleasant flavors. Spend a few extra dollars for an ultra smooth sip.

Non-Alcoholic Kenny Cooler

You can easily make a non-alcoholic "virgin" version of this cocktail that doesn't compromise on flavor by omitting the vodka entirely. Simply mix together:

• 3 ounces freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
• 2-3 ounces club soda
• Several mint leaves
• Ice cubes
• Lime wedge for garnish

Stir everything together in a tall glass, top with more soda to taste, and garnish with lime. Bright, bubbly and refreshing without a hint of booze.

Kenny Cooler Mocktail Recipes

For fun non-alcoholic variations, try these delicious Kenny Cooler mocktail recipes:

• Mint Lime Cooler - Mint, lime juice, agave nectar, club soda
• Ginger Peach Cooler - Peach nectar, ginger beer, lemon
• Pomegranate Cooler - Pomegranate juice, lemonade, seltzer, lime
• Blueberry Mint Cooler - Blueberries, mint, lemon, club soda
• Strawberry Basil Cooler - Strawberry puree, basil, soda water

Get creative with seasonal fruit juices, herbs, spices, and bubbles!

Enjoy This Refreshing Cocktail All Summer Long!

With its short ingredient list, ease of preparation, and thirst-quenching flavor, the Kenny Cooler is destined to become your new favorite summer cocktail. Keep plenty of grapefruit juice, mint, limes and vodka on hand so you can whip up this effervescent drink whenever the temperature climbs.

From beach trips to backyard gatherings, casual weeknight dinners or weekend bashes, the Kenny Cooler is a crowd-pleasing cocktail guaranteed to keep you feeling cool. Sip your way through the sunny months ahead with this tasty new addition to your warm weather repertoire!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What kind of vodka works best in the Kenny Cooler?

A: A smooth, neutral vodka is ideal. Go for a mid-range brand like Grey Goose, Ketel One, or Absolut. Avoid bottom shelf vodkas with harsh flavors.

Q: Can I make this drink with gin instead?

A: Absolutely! The botanicals of gin pair nicely with the grapefruit and mint. Use a London dry style gin like Tanqueray or Bombay Sapphire.

Q: What type of glass should I serve the Kenny Cooler in?

A: Serve in a tall highball glass or Collins glass filled with ice to keep it chilled. A short, wide tumbler also works well.

Q: What grapefruit juice is best for this cocktail?

A: Always opt for fresh squeezed juice for the most vibrant citrus flavor. Store bought juice tends to be flat and dull tasting.

Q: How long will the Kenny Cooler last in the fridge?

A: Properly stored in a sealed container, it will last 2-3 days. The club soda will lose its fizz though, so add that fresh when serving leftover cocktail.