Variations + Substitutions
Use honey and vanilla extract in place of simple syrup. A few tablespoons of honey is sufficient, since it’s slightly sweeter than simple syrup. Make sure you use runny honey because you’ll have trouble incorporating thicker, crystallized honey into the cold fruit.
Any red fruit works well in the salad, so you might try plums, red grapes, loganberries, currants, or pomegranate arils in place of some or part of the strawberries, watermelon, cherries, and raspberries.
Any toasted nut works well in place of almonds. While almonds partner beautifully with strawberries, cherries, and raspberries, you can use just about any nut or seed in this recipe. Peanuts, hazelnuts, flaked coconut, and pumpkin seeds are all nice.
Try other herbs in place of vanilla and almond extract. You can infuse the simple syrup with lemongrass, ginger, mint, or any herb you happen to like, and it’ll give the fruit salad an extra boost of flavor.
For a blue fruit salad, opt for blueberries, purple grapes, blackberries, blackcurrants, or even ripe Mission figs.
For a green fruit salad, opt for green fruits such as kiwi, green apples, and green grapes.
