Cranberry-Cherry Cooler

This is the retro American punch that still holds up on a hot porch. Tart cranberry juice does the heavy pouring, fresh orange juice adds a brightening acid note, and a packet of cherry drink mix (Kool-Aid, Flavor Aid, whichever) delivers the ruby color and the candy-store nostalgia.

Everything goes in the blender for a quick whir so the powder actually dissolves, then over crushed or cubed ice in tall glasses. That’s the whole move.

It’s a kid-party, church-picnic, backyard-cookout recipe. Doesn’t need to be fancy, just cold.

Kitchen Tips

• Taste before serving; adjust sugar up or down depending on the sweetness of your cranberry juice (cocktail vs unsweetened vary wildly).
• Use frozen orange juice concentrate straight for a more intense citrus punch; thaw slightly before blending.
• Chill all juices in the fridge first. Ice dilutes less when the liquid is already cold.

Variations

• Make it grown-up: stir in a shot of vodka or white rum per glass.
• Float a splash of ginger ale or club soda on top for fizz.
• Freeze some of the mix in ice cube trays so the ice doesn’t water it down as it melts.