Christmas drinks, winter drinks, cozy drinks. The winter time is definitively the best time of year to let loose on your creative passion for all things beverage. For myself and my family, we love to make things special by occasionally popping in some luxury, a treat if you will, to otherwise slow and simple days.

For my 4-year-old daughter and my 1-year-old son, a special treat drink is like real life magic. They watch as you make it, revel in how it is something created just for them, and savor it as the special “treat” that it is.

Honestly, these days, it’s hard to find any drinks that get me more excited than coffee (did I mention I have two littles?). But, I learned about Italian sodas some years ago, and I remember it being a revelation. Executed correctly, it is a magical dream of creamy, sparkling bubble heaven. Don’t let the name “soda” fool you. This is not your average commercial soda pop. Oh no, Italian soda is something as delicately simple as it is absolutely delicious. Try it, and your at home creative genius will gain an entirely new avenue of options.

When you need a break from hot chocolate, americanos, or maybe gingerbread lattes, and instead you’re looking for something bright and refreshing (and maybe a way to use up some leftover cranberry sauce), this Cranberry Mint Italian Soda is the one you want. Trust me. The bit of mint and the accompanying cream and sparkling water bring all the brightness of the cranberries forward in the best way.

Cranberry Mint Italian Soda

Italian soda is a creamy dream of sparkling bubbles, and this Cranberry Mint Italian soda is a perfectly proportioned bright and refreshing cozy winter drink!

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Servings 1

Ingredients

  

Sugared Cranberries (Optional)

• 1/4 cup water
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1.5 cups cranberries rinsed and dried

Cranberry Mint Italian Soda

• 2 tbsp prepared cranberry sauce (I like Fortnum & Mason's)
• 3 leaves mint divided
• 2 tbsp heavy cream
• 1 cup ice
• ¾ cup sparkling water
• whipped cream

Instructions

 

Sugared Cranberries Topping (Optional)

• In a small saucepan, combine 1/4 cup water and 1/4 cup sugar. Bring to a boil, and then simmer for 3 minutes on low heat.
• Stir the cranberries into the syrup for about 1 minute, ensuring they are fully coated. Use a slotted spoon to remove the cranberries and lay on a sheet of parchment (separated from one another) for an hour.
• Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup sugar over the cranberries and toss in the sugar till fully coated.

Cranberry Mint Italian Soda

• Add cranberry sauce and 1 minced mint leaf to your cup, and use a spoon to muddle together.
• Add cream gently (do not stir so you can preserve the beautiful layering).
• Add ice over the cream and cranberry sauce.
• Slowly pour in your sparkling water, aiming to hit the ice so it does not disturb the mixture underneath.
• Top with whipped cream, sugared cranberries, and two mint leaves. Serve, and enjoy! Note: this drink will of course need to be stirred to enjoy, but the layers will stay beautifully intact until you stir!