Cranberry Sparklers

I am betting you are all busy with last minute Thanksgiving prep. I am too, but I have one little jewel to share. A pretty pink soda to celebrate in style! I love a little bubbly. This recipe is not loaded with aspartame like some cranberry sodas. This is made with a cranberry simple syrup you can make in your own kitchen, using the sweetener you prefer.

I have two versions, but there are more. I made one with sparkling water alone. That one had a stronger cranberry flavor. I really like citrus with cranberries, though. My favorite drink featured about half a packet of True Lemon. Lime would be the bomb also! I have easy access to sparkling soda because I have a Soda Stream machine. That makes easy work out of drink experiments. Forget the pricey Zevia--I like making my own creations. You can purchase some club soda, or even lemon lime soda if you find a sweetener that you can live with.

Just make some syrup--cranberries are cheap this time of year. You can use this syrup in sodas, as a dessert glaze or stirred into yogurt or drizzled over cottage cheese. I used about 2 tbsp for a full glass. You may prefer more or less. I did add a little extra stevia to each glass. Just do that to taste.

 Sugarfree Cranberry Syrup

1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries
1 cup water
3/4 cup granulated sweetener

Combine the cranberries, water and sweetener in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until cranberries pop and thicken, about 15 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh strainer into a medium bowl and let the strainer sit over the bowl until the syrup has cooled to room temperature, about 1 hour. Discard the solids and refrigerate the syrup for up to 2 weeks. 


This syrup makes the sodas so pretty. Perfect for the holidays! A little added to hot tea would be wonderful. I'm pondering cranberry cocoa? I may have to give that a try too. Have a happy Thanksgiving. I am thankful for all of you!

More big news is coming after Thanksgiving, so check back soon!