MSG Free Cranberry Orange Lemonade
Tart cranberry, bright lemon, and sweet orange come together in a sparkling drink that feels festive enough for a party but easy enough for a random Tuesday afternoon. Everything here is squeezed, juiced, or simmered from scratch — no flavor packets, no powdered mixes, and absolutely no hidden additives to second-guess. A homemade maple simple syrup brings just the right touch of sweetness without relying on processed sugars or store-bought syrups that can carry unwanted extras. The unsweetened pure cranberry juice (not cocktail) keeps things clean and genuinely fruity, adding a beautiful deep-pink hue and a pleasantly tart backbone. Chilled sparkling water gets stirred in gently at the end so you keep every last bubble, making the final pour feel refreshingly lively in the glass. Garnish with a lemon slice and a sprig of fresh mint and it looks like something you'd pay twelve dollars for at a brunch spot — except you made it yourself, and you know exactly what's in it.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the maple simple syrup
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup water
For the lemonade
- ¾ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 5–6 lemons)
- ½ cup unsweetened pure cranberry juice (not cocktail)
- ½ cup fresh orange juice (from about 2 medium oranges)
- 3 cups sparkling water, chilled
- 2 cups ice cubes
For serving
- lemon slices, for serving (optional)
- fresh mint sprigs, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the maple syrup and water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the syrup is fully dissolved, about 2–3 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool for 15 minutes until no longer warm to the touch.
- 2
Juice the lemons and oranges through a citrus juicer, then strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a large pitcher to remove seeds and pulp.
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