Kiwi Carnival Cooler

Juleps & Smashes • December 16, 2025

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A photo of the Kiwi Carnival Cooler cocktail containing Fresh lime (chopped wedges), Caster sugar, Kiwi fruit, Ricard Pastis de Marseille Aperitif, Pressed apple juice, Novo Fogo Chameleon Cachaça in a Highball.

Curiada Ingredients

0.17 fl oz Ricard Pastis de Marseille Aperitif or alternative
2.00 fl oz Novo Fogo Chameleon Cachaça or alternative

Other Ingredients

0.50 fresh Fresh lime (chopped wedges)
3.00 spoon Caster sugar
0.50 fresh Kiwi fruit
0.50 fl oz Pressed apple juice

Directions

Cut lime in half from pole to pole and slice one half into eight thin half-moon segments
Drop lime segments into base of rocks glass
Add three bar spoons caster sugar and muddle
Add kiwi fruit and muddle until juice is extracted and sugar dissolved
Transfer muddled fruit and sugar to highball glass
Pour frozen cachaça into rocks glass and swirl to rinse
Pour cachaça from rocks glass into highball glass
Add apple juice and anis liqueur
Stir to mix all ingredients well
Crack four to five large ice cubes and drop into glass
Stir once more
Top with additional ice
Garnish with stirrer

Cocktail Description

A colorful carnival in a glass, the Kiwi Carnival Cooler combines the grassy funk of cachaça with the unexpected anise punch of Ricard Pastis, creating a drink that's both refreshing and provocatively complex.

This Brazilian-French fusion cocktail balances tart lime, sweet kiwi, and the subtle licorice notes of pastis, all softened by gentle apple juice. While it requires some effort with muddling and precise preparation, the technique is straightforward enough for home bartenders willing to spend about 5 minutes crafting something special. The freezer-chilled cachaça provides a crisp backbone that elevates the fresh fruit flavors without overwhelming them.

Perfect for warm afternoon gatherings or as a pre-dinner conversation starter, this cooler pairs beautifully with spicy fish tacos, grilled shrimp, or Brazilian cheese bread (pão de queijo). The bright, herbaceous qualities of the drink cut through rich foods while complementing lighter fare with its tropical fruit profile.