Oh, thank goodness for a super refreshing drink on a hot day! Seriously, when the mercury climbs, I need something that’s both delicious and a little bit fancy, but not complicated, you know? This Cranberry Lemon Spritzer With Lemonade Ice Cubes is my absolute go-to. It’s so bright and tangy, and the best part? Those little homemade lemonade ice cubes. They’re not just for show; they add an extra punch of lemon flavor without watering down your drink like regular ice can. I remember making this for a backyard barbecue last summer, and everyone flocked around asking for the recipe!

Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Lemonade Ice Cube Spritzer

Honestly, this drink is a lifesaver on a warm afternoon! Here’s why you’ll be making it again and again:

It’s ridiculously easy to whip up, especially with the lemonade ice cubes already waiting in the freezer.
The flavor is SO refreshing – that perfect balance of tart cranberry and zingy lemonade just wakes you right up!
It looks gorgeous! Those red cranberries and yellow ice cubes make it feel like a special occasion, even if it’s just for you.
You can totally play around with it! Want more fizz? Add more sparkling water. Prefer it sweeter? A little extra cranberry juice blend does the trick.

Gather Your Ingredients for the Cranberry Lemon Spritzer With Lemonade Ice Cubes

Alright, let’s get your kitchen ready for this little pour-and-sip magic! You really don’t need much, which is part of why I love it so much. Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:

1 cup of cranberry juice: I usually go for a 100% juice kind, but a cranberry juice blend works too if you like it a bit sweeter.
1 cup of prepared lemonade: This is for our special ice cubes! You can totally use store-bought here if you’re in a pinch, but if you make your own, even better!
1/2 cup of sparkling water: Make sure it’s nice and chilled. Club soda or seltzer works perfectly.
Lemon slices: Just a couple for pretty garnish.
Fresh cranberries: A small handful looks so festive floating around in there!

Crafting Your Cranberry Lemon Spritzer With Lemonade Ice Cubes: Step-by-Step

Okay, so making this spritzer is honestly the easiest part, which is great when you just want something delicious *now*. It’s all about prepping those lemonade ice cubes ahead of time so they’re ready when that craving hits. Trust me, the extra step is totally worth it! If you love fruity drinks, you should totally check out this cherry limeade recipe or this super refreshing plum lemonade for more ideas!

Prepare the Lemonade Ice Cubes

This is where the magic really starts! Grab an ice cube tray – any kind will do. Pour your prepared lemonade (whether it’s homemade or store-bought, no judgment here!) into the tray. Don’t fill them right to the brim, because liquid expands when it freezes. Pop that tray into your freezer and let it work its magic for at least 4 hours, or better yet, overnight. You want them to be rock solid so they don’t melt too quickly and dilute your lovely spritzer. Think of them as mini flavor bombs waiting to happen for your next lemonade creation or even a simple peach lemonade!

Assemble Your Refreshing Cranberry Lemon Spritzer

Now for the fun part! Grab your favorite tall glass. Fill it up about halfway, or a little more if you like a super icy drink, with those fabulous frozen lemonade ice cubes you prepped earlier. Next, gently pour in your cranberry juice. I like to pour it over the ice cubes so it layers a little bit. Then, top it all off with your chilled sparkling water. You’ll see those gorgeous colors mingle!

Give it a super gentle stir, just to combine everything slightly. Pop in a cheerful lemon slice and a few fresh cranberries for garnish, and marvel at your beautiful creation!

Tips for the Perfect Cranberry Lemon Spritzer With Lemonade Ice Cubes

You know, even simple drinks can benefit from a little TLC! Here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up that help make this cranberry spritzer absolutely sing:

Use good quality ingredients, especially the cranberry juice. A 100% pure cranberry juice will give you that classic tartness, but if that’s too much for you, a blend with apple or grape juice can be lovely. Just taste it first! And always use chilled sparkling water; it makes a difference in keeping things bubbly.
Don’t be shy with the lemonade ice cubes! The whole point is that they don’t water down your drink. So fill that glass up! If you’re making your own lemonade from scratch, you can even adjust the sweetness just how you like it, then freeze that perfect batch. You might also find that folks who love making things from scratch enjoy homemade coffee creamer recipes, too!
Presentation matters! Even though it’s so easy, making it look pretty makes it feel special. Those lemon slices and fresh cranberries aren’t just for decoration—they add a little extra scent and flavor. You could even try a sugar rim on the glass if you’re feeling extra fancy. It gives it a lovely sweetness with every sip. If you’re feeling adventurous, you might even want to try homemade versions of staples like heavy cream!
Taste and adjust as you go. This is the golden rule in my kitchen! Some cranberry juices are tarter than others, and some lemonades are sweeter. So, once you’ve got your ice cubes in and the cranberry juice poured, give it a little stir and a tiny taste. Need more fizz? Add more sparkling water. Want it punchier? A splash more cranberry juice! It’s all about making it perfect for *you*.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

So, you’re curious about tweaking this spritzer or maybe you’re missing something? Totally understandable! Let’s chat about the ingredients. For the cranberry juice, I really like using 100% pure cranberry juice because it gives you that nice, tart kick that balances the sweet lemonade perfectly. But hey, if pure is a little too intense for your taste buds, don’t worry! A cranberry juice blend with something like apple or grape is absolutely fine. It’ll add a bit more sweetness, which is great if you prefer a milder flavor. And for the sparkling water? Pretty much any bubbly water works! Club soda is my go-to for that clean, crisp finish, but seltzer water is fantastic too. You can even use flavored sparkling water if you’re feeling adventurous, just make sure the flavor doesn’t clash!

Frequently Asked Questions About Cranberry Lemon Spritzer With Lemonade Ice Cubes

Got questions? I’ve got answers! Making this spritzer is pretty straightforward, but sometimes little things pop into your head, right? Here are a few things I get asked a lot:

Can I make this ahead of time?

You bet! The best part of this Cranberry Lemon Spritzer is that you can totally prep the lemonade ice cubes way in advance. Just keep them in a sealed bag or container in your freezer. Then, when you’re ready for a drink, just grab your ice cubes, pour in the juice and sparkling water, and you’re good to go in seconds!

What kind of cranberry juice is best?

Honestly, it depends on your taste! For a really tart and classic flavor that balances the sweet lemonade, I love 100% pure cranberry juice. If that’s a bit too intense for you, a cranberry juice blend (like cranberry-apple or cranberry-grape) is a fantastic alternative because it’s naturally sweeter. Just give it a taste first before you mix!

Can I sweeten this further?

Absolutely! If you find your spritzer isn’t quite sweet enough for your liking after you mix it, a little drizzle of honey, agave nectar, or even simple syrup works wonders. You can also achieve a sweeter drink by using more of a cranberry lemonade blend rather than 100% juice. Just start with a small amount and stir until it reaches your perfect sweetness level.

What if I don’t have sparkling water?

No worries at all! If you’re out of sparkling water, plain old chilled water will still be lovely, you’ll just miss out on a bit of the fizz. Club soda or even ginger ale (if you want a little extra spice) can also be nice substitutes, though they might change the flavor profile slightly. The lemonade ice cubes will still be the star!

Nutritional Information

Please keep in mind that these nutritional values are my best estimates for a single serving of this delicious Cranberry Lemon Spritzer. They can vary a bit depending on the specific brands of juice and sparkling water you use, and of course, how sweet you like your lemonade ice cubes!

Serving Size: 1 glass
Calories: Approx. 150 kcal
Sugar: Approx. 35g
Fat: 0g
Protein: 0g
Carbohydrates: Approx. 38g

Share Your Spritzer Creation!

Alright, now that you’ve got the lowdown on this super refreshing Cranberry Lemon Spritzer With Lemonade Ice Cubes, I’d absolutely LOVE to hear about it! Did you try it? What did you think? Did you add any fun twists of your own? Drop a comment below and let me know, or even better, share a pic on social media and tag me! Seeing your creations makes my day!

Cranberry Lemon Spritzer With Lemonade Ice Cubes

Author: memorecipes.com
Total Time: 5 min
Yield: 1 serving 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A refreshing cranberry and lemonade spritzer made with homemade lemonade ice cubes.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup cranberry juice
1 cup lemonade
1/2 cup sparkling water
Lemon slices for garnish
Fresh cranberries for garnish

Instructions

Freeze lemonade in an ice cube tray to make lemonade ice cubes.
Fill a glass with lemonade ice cubes.
Pour cranberry juice over the ice cubes.
Top with sparkling water.
Garnish with lemon slices and fresh cranberries.

Notes

For a sweeter drink, use a cranberry juice blend.
Adjust the ratio of cranberry juice to sparkling water to your preference.

Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 0 min
Category: Beverage
Method: No Cook
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 glass
Calories: 150
Sugar: 35g
Sodium: 10mg
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: cranberry, lemonade, spritzer, ice cubes, refreshing, drink, beverage