Cranberry-Lime Sparkling Water
A crisp, refreshing sparkling water with the tartness of fresh cranberries and the bright zing of lime. This lightly sweetened, ruby-red drink is a perfect alcohol-free alternative to sugary sodas, ready in just minutes with a handful of simple ingredients.
For 4 servings
- boil · ~5 min
Make the cranberry syrup.
1.Combine cranberries, water, sugar, and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan.2.Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer.3.Cook 5 minutes, mashing the cranberries gently against the side of the pan as they soften.4.Remove from heat and let cool 5 minutes.TIPMash the cranberries gently — you want to release their juice, not pulverize the skins. - prep · ~2 min
Strain the cranberry syrup.
Set a fine mesh strainer over a bowl or the serving pitcher. Pour the cranberry mixture through the strainer, pressing the solids with the back of a spoon to extract all the liquid. Discard the solids.
- mix · ~1 min
Combine syrup with lime juice.
Add the fresh lime juice to the strained cranberry syrup and stir well.
- assemble · ~1 min
Add sparkling water and serve.
1.Fill four glasses with ice cubes.2.Divide the cranberry-lime syrup evenly among the glasses.3.Top each glass with sparkling water and stir gently to combine.4.Garnish each glass with a lime slice.TIPPour the sparkling water slowly down the side of the glass to preserve the fizz.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1For a deeper color and flavor, use frozen cranberries and thaw them slightly before simmering.
- 2Chill the sparkling water thoroughly before using to keep the drink crisp and well-carbonated.
- 3Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve and press firmly on the solids to extract maximum liquid.
- 4Taste the syrup before mixing with sparkling water; adjust sweetness with a little extra sugar if needed.
- 5Stir the finished drink gently with a long spoon to avoid flattening the bubbles.
- 6Make the syrup up to 3 days ahead and refrigerate; stir in the lime juice just before serving.
Adapt it for your goals.
Lower-sugar
Replace the sugar with 2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup for a less refined sweetener that still balances the tart cranberries.
herb infusedHerb-infused
Add 2 sprigs of fresh mint or 3 basil leaves to the syrup while it simmers, then strain them out for a subtle herbal note.
spicy twistSpicy twist
Include a 1-inch piece of ginger, thinly sliced, with the cranberries for a warming, gingery kick that pairs beautifully with lime.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Rich in Antioxidants
Cranberries are packed with polyphenols and vitamin C, which help combat oxidative stress and support immune health.
Hydrating and Low-Calorie
This drink provides hydration with far fewer calories than sugary sodas, thanks to the minimal added sugar and base of sparkling water.
Supports Urinary Tract Health
The proanthocyanidins in cranberries are known to help prevent certain bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract lining.
Frequently asked questions
Freshly squeezed lime juice gives the brightest flavor; bottled juice often has a metallic or dull taste, so it's best avoided for this drink.
