Lychee Coconut Jelly Cooler

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 3 hours (including chilling time) | Serves: 4

Ingredients:

For Lychee Juice:

• 1 cup fresh or canned lychees, peeled and pitted
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tablespoon honey (adjust to taste)
• Juice of 1 lime

For Coconut Jelly:

• 1 cup coconut water
• 1 tablespoon agar-agar powder (or vegetarian gelatin for a non-vegan option)
• 1 tablespoon sugar (adjust to taste)

For the Cooler:

• 1 cup chilled lychee juice
• 1 cup chilled coconut jelly, cut into small cubes.
• 1 cup ice cubes
• Fresh mint leaves, for garnish
• Sliced fresh lychees and lime wedges, for garnish.

Instructions:

1. Lychee Juice:

1. In a blender, combine the fresh or canned lychees, water, honey, and lime juice.
2. Blend until you get a smooth and well-mixed lychee juice.
3. Taste the juice and adjust the sweetness with more honey, if needed. Set aside.

2. Coconut Jelly:

1. In a small saucepan, pour the coconut water and sprinkle the agar-agar powder (or vegetarian gelatin) over it. Let it sit for 5 minutes to allow the agar-agar to bloom.
2. After 5 minutes, turn on the heat to medium and stir the mixture until the agar-agar completely dissolves.
3. Add the sugar to the coconut water mixture and stir until the sugar dissolves as well.
4. Remove the saucepan from heat and let the mixture cool slightly.
5. Pour the coconut water mixture into a flat-bottomed container or mold. Allow it to set in the refrigerator for about 2 hours or until firm.
6. Once the coconut jelly is set, cut it into small cubes using a sharp knife. Keep chilled until ready to use.

3. Assembling the Cooler:

1. Take four serving glasses and add a handful of ice cubes into each glass.
2. Pour the chilled lychee juice over the ice, filling the glasses halfway.
3. Add a generous amount of coconut jelly cubes to each glass, distributing them evenly.
4. Top off the glasses with more lychee juice, leaving a little room for garnishes.
5. Garnish each glass with fresh mint leaves, sliced lychees, and lime wedges.
6. Stir gently to mix the flavors and jelly cubes and serve immediately.

Enjoy this refreshing Lychee Coconut Jelly Cooler as a healthy and delightful drink on a hot day! It’s perfect for quenching thirst and satisfying your taste buds with the tropical goodness of lychee and the light, coconutty texture of the jelly.