Fresh cranberry and blood orange juices are combined with sugar free simple syrups and carbonated soda to make this refreshing and festive spritzer. It's alcohol free, sugar free, and kid friendly!
1cupErythritol (or other granular sugar substitute*)
2cupsraw cranberries (fresh or frozen)
FOR THE BLOOD ORANGE SIMPLE SYRUP
½cupwater
½cupErythritol (or other granularcup-for-cup sugar substitute*)
2blood orangesUNPEELED, cut into 1/8th inch slices
5cupssugar free lemon lime soda
juice of 2 blood oranges
½cupno sugar added cranberry juice
Instructions
PREPARE SIMPLE SYRUPS and CANDIED FRUITS:
Prepare simple syrups separately, using two medium sized saucepans.
In each saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil over high heat. Stir until sugar has dissolved, then remove one pan from the heat completely and lower temperature to a very slow simmer in the other. Add blood orange slices to the simmering pan and cranberries to the pan you removed from the heat. Simmer oranges for 25 minutes, or until white pith is translucent, using tongs to flip slices occasionally. Remove orange slices from pan and spread onto parchment lined sheet pan to dry completely.
Add orange syrup to a large pitcher or punch bowl.
Allow the cranberries to steep in the simple syrup for 30 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove cranberries from the liquid and place them onto a parchment lined sheet pan and allow to dry for about 2 hours, until they become tacky to the touch. Then roll them in granulated sugar substitute. Store in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days.
FOR THE SPRITZER:
Add HALF of cranberry syrup to the orange syrup. You can add more later if you want your spritzer to be sweeter. Add cranberry juice, orange juice, and sugar free soda. Stir to combine. If spritzer is too sweet, add tap water 1/2 cup at a time until desired sweetness is achieved. Serve with sugared cranberry skewers, candied blood oranges, and Frieda's sugar cane swizzle sticks, if desired.
Notes
* Erythritol is used cup for cup like regular sugar. If you're using a different brand of granulated sugar substitute, read the label for how much should be used.