Citrus Berry Sparkling Refresher
A bright, fizzy pitcher drink using pasteurized juices, with a simple ratio you can adjust at the table.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Total
- 5 min
- Makes
- 4 servings of about 1 cup, before ice
A little cranberry juice brings tartness, orange juice rounds it out, and sparkling water keeps this drink light on the palate. There is no juicer, syrup-making step or claim about detoxing. It is simply a cold, fruit-flavored drink for lunch or an afternoon break.
Read the juice labels
Choose pasteurized orange juice and a pasteurized cranberry juice blend. A cranberry cocktail and pure unsweetened cranberry juice are not interchangeable in flavor: pure cranberry juice is much more tart. This recipe assumes a cranberry blend; taste the finished drink before changing its ratio.
Use cold ingredients so you do not need a large amount of melting ice. Add sparkling water last and stir gently to preserve the bubbles.
| You prefer… | Try this |
|---|---|
| Less sweetness | More sparkling water in your individual glass |
| More orange flavor | A little extra orange juice |
| No bubbles | Cold still water instead |
| A smaller serving | Prepare half the pitcher, keeping the same proportions |
A pitcher that stays fresh-tasting
Mix the two juices ahead if helpful and keep them refrigerated. Leave out the sparkling water and ice until serving; otherwise the drink becomes flat and diluted. Put optional washed fruit garnishes in each glass rather than leaving them in a pitcher for hours.
Recipe development note: This original recipe has not yet been kitchen-tested. Timing and yield are estimates. Images illustrate the food style rather than a tested result.
A note about juice safety
Washing fruit and adding citrus do not make untreated juice pasteurized. Check the product label; FDA explains why untreated juices can present particular risks for children, pregnant people, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. FDA juice safety
Common questions
Does it need sweetener? Usually the juice blend supplies enough sweetness. Taste first. Brands vary, so a precise sweetness promise would not be useful.
Can I blend whole berries into it? That creates a different texture and brings raw-fruit handling into the recipe. For a blender drink, start with our strawberry banana smoothie instead.
How much should I make? Make the fizzy mixture for immediate serving, and keep remaining unmixed juice refrigerated as directed on the package.
Sources and recipe notes
FDA produce preparation guidance supports the handling notes. Use pasteurized dairy or juice where specified. These sources address ingredient handling; they do not mean that this complete recipe has been kitchen-tested. See our editorial standards.
Citrus Berry Sparkling Refresher
- Prep
- 5 min
- Total
- 5 min
- Makes
- 4 servings of about 1 cup, before ice
Ingredients
Method
Combine orange juice and cranberry juice blend in a clean pitcher.
Just before serving, gently stir in sparkling water.
Pour over ice in four glasses. Add optional orange slices and serve.
Photo shows the style of the dish and may differ from this exact recipe.
