This homemade cranberry lemon lime soda is a sweet-tart soda inspired by Sprite Cranberry and the popular Poppi Cranberry Fizz Soda. Make it with either sugar or stevia!
I set out to make a homemade version of Poppi's Cranberry Fizz soda, which is a seasonal cranberry soda that has a cult following. For good reason - it's tangy and sweet, and it feels like the holidays!
In the process of tasting and testing out the recipe, I realized that Poppi's soda is actually a stevia-sweetened version of Sprite Cranberry. Which is super popular around the holidays and has a cult following of its own!
So, I realized that I needed to make *both* versions of the soda.
Below you'll find the recipe I originally set out to make: a homemade Cranberry Fizz soda, inspired by Poppi. AND a sugar-sweetened version, just like a regular Sprite Cranberry.
Either way, this soda is a delicious combo of sweet and tart, with cranberries, lemons, and limes. Just choose your favorite sweetener!
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If you're excited about homemade sodas, check out some of my other faves
Why does this recipe work?
This cranberry lemon lime soda is similar to a Sprite Cranberry, which itself is lemon lime soda, plus cranberry.
We'll use both the juice and zest of lemons & limes to get the maximum citrus flavor. Then fresh or frozen cranberries add their classic tartness.
Why You'll Love This Homemade Cranberry Fizz Soda
- Dietary needs - this recipe is vegan and has a refined sugar free swap. No processed ingredients anywhere!
- Made From Real Ingredients - No artificial flavors. Every flavor comes from actual fruits
- Sugar or Stevia - choose your favorite sweetener!
- Holiday vibes - cranberries just feel like the holidays
- Easy to Make - skip the store-bought soda and make a homemade version whenever you're craving one!
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
For cranberry lemon lime syrup
- Stevia: since this recipe calls for a decent amount of stevia, I recommend buying a big bag instead of using packets. If you are making the Sprite Cranberry variation, you can just replace the stevia with more sugar
- Sugar: Poppi's sodas are stevia-sweetened with a small amount of sugar, to help with flavor. So even if you're doing the stevia version, you'll still need a bit of sugar.
- Water
- Fresh or Frozen Cranberries: fresh cranberries are often around in the fall and winter, but frozen cranberries are available year round and work just the same!
- Lemon & Lime: this is lemon lime soda after all! We'll use both the juice and zest for maximum citrus flavor - you cannot skip the zest. You'll need a microplane!
- Citric Acid: I use some food grade citric acid to create a little more of that tart flavor. This is optional though, feel free to skip it
For Soda
- Cranberry Syrup: from above
- Sparkling Water: you can also use club soda or any other unflavored sparkling water - though the best flavor will come from plain sparkling water
- Ice
- Garnishes: a fun straw and a few fresh cranberries
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. Zest and juice the lemon and lime directly into a small pot. Add the cranberries, stevia (if using), sugar, and water to the pot. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, then cook at a simmer for 10 minutes.
Step 2. Remove from the heat, stir in the citric acid (if using), and let cool 30 minutes.
Step 3. Strain the mixture and bottle.
Step 4. For soda, pour 1-2 ounces of the cranberry syrup over ice and top with sparkling water.
FAQ & Expert Tips
You can prep the syrup in advance, but mix the soda just before serving to preserve the carbonation.
This syrup is great for long-term storage. Good in the fridge for about 2 months.
Elizabeth's Kitchen Notes
- Stevia: Poppi's sodas are stevia-sweetened with a small amount of sugar, to help with flavor. I tried this recipe using entirely stevia and did not like the final flavor. If you are a regular stevia drinker you may find that all stevia is fine for you. But if you're looking to get the Poppi flavor, you'll need a small amount of sugar.
- Simple Syrup Science: you'll notice that this recipe calls for less sugar than a classic simple syrup, which is a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water. Even in the Sprite version, you have ⅔ cup + 2 tablespoons of sugar to 1 cup of water. This is to help achieve a tart flavor. I found that a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water was simply too sweet and didn't mimic the classic Sprite/Poppi flavors.
Recipe Prayer
Thank you God for this sweet, refreshing drink. Thank you for healthier versions of our favorite foods. Amen.
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📖 Recipe
Homemade Cranberry Lemon Lime Soda (Sprite Cranberry & Poppi Cranberry Fizz Copycat)
Ingredients
- ⅔ Cup Stevia or Sugar for Sprite variation
- 2 Tablespoons Sugar
- 1 Cup Water
- 1 Cup Fresh or Frozen Cranberries
- Juice & Zest of 2 Limes
- Juice & Zest of 2 Lemons
- 1 Teaspoon Citric Acid
For Soda
- 1-2 Ounces Cranberry Syrup
- Sparkling Water
- Ice
Instructions
- Zest and juice the lemon and lime directly into a small pot. Add the cranberries, stevia (if using), sugar, and water to the pot. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, then cook at a simmer for 10 minutes.
- Remove from the heat, stir in the citric acid (if using), and let cool 30 minutes.
- Strain the mixture and bottle.
- For soda, pour 1-2 ounces of the cranberry syrup over ice and top with sparkling water.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate.
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