Tart Cranberry Spritzer

Yes, I drink a lot of water. Just plain water. But on occasion, I like to sip a more flavorful beverage. And something sparkling is just so festive! But soda is a no go. Even diet soda is so full of crap, I almost never touch the stuff. And studies show that artificial sweeteners can spike insulin levels just like sugar, so those trying to lose weight do not benefit from fake sweeteners.

Hence my appreciation for naturally flavored seltzer water. These days, you can find delicious seltzers in a wide variety of flavors. Aldi carries all different kinds, in both cans and bottles. Soda Stream is another option; you add your own carbonation to water and then flavor it.

But a small amount of fruit juice can add that special touch to sparkling water. I love grapefruit seltzer with a splash of grapefruit juice. Some other juices to try might be pomegranate, tart cherry, acai, carrot, mango, and of course cranberry.

Unsweetened pure cranberry juice is VERY tart. (When you purchase your juice, make sure the only ingredient is pure cranberry juice. There are many blends with added sugar, corn syrup, grape juice, etc.) Pure cranberry juice has medicinal properties in addition to antioxidants and vitamins. It can help prevent bacterial infections in the bladder and urinary tract. It's also a mild diuretic and can help reduce bloating and water retention due to hormonal fluctuations. Quite a resume for a little red berry!

To make a refreshingly tart and delicious spritzer, you only need 2 ingredients: Pure cranberry juice and an unsweetened sparkling water. I used pomegranate-flavored water because Aldi doesn't carry cranberry sparkling water. You could substitute plain seltzer, raspberry, or any other flavor you enjoy. The result is a beautiful beverage--pretty enough to serve at a party, yet completely healthy.

(This might be the most basic recipe I have ever posted! Next I'll be giving you instructions for boiling water!) 

Pour a small amount of cranberry juice into a tall glass. (I use about 2 TB.) Fill with cold sparkling water. Enjoy!