Lemon lime is a great foundation to build seasonal flavor varieties around. Last year Sprite released the Vanilla Frost flavor (see my review here), and this year they’re offering a “Winter Spiced Cranberry” edition. Or I should say that they’re reoffering it. This flavor has come and gone since at least 2019. Somehow I never got around to trying it, but the Spiced Cranberry sounds a lot more holiday themed than the vanilla one, so I picked up a bottle and filmed a review.

The flavors here are subtle. It’s clearly still Sprite, and the Sprite is still clear. The cranberry flavor gives a small hint of tart fruitiness which pairs well with the lemon lime body of the soda. A cranberry garnish or cranberry ice cubes would really draw attention to that flavor, but it’s easy to miss straight out of the bottle.

“Winter Spice” feels like a parallel to “pumpkin spice” and it embodies the warm mulling spices that you find in seasonal baked goods and other holiday treats. Clove is the dominant flavor and it’s a classic addition to gingerbread, eggnog, and glazed hams. It’s a tradition that goes back to medieval times with pomanders (an orange studded with cloves that was supposed to bring good luck). Again, the flavor was subtle, but comforting and welcome.

Last year I made a quick eggnog punch using the Sprite Vanilla Frost and I attempted a similar recipe this year. The Sprite Winter Spiced Cranberry lightened up the eggnog quite a bit, and then the splash of Monday’s non-alcoholic whiskey highlighted those warming spices even further. I took things a bit further this time and I smoked the eggnog punch using a cocktail smoking kit and some Grand Fir needles straight off my Christmas tree. The presentation was super dramatic with wisps of smoke rising from the glass, and it honestly added a little bit to the charm of the drink. Would I recommend it? I’m not sure…it’s a clear cry for attention. Also, please watch my video and subscribe to the channel.

I’m linking here to a relatively inexpensive cocktail smoker on Amazon in case you want to give it a shot, or it would make a great gift for that special attention-seeker in your life.