During my high school days, I used to love to grab an Italian soda from the Second Cup café downtown before my bus ride home. There was nothing better than the vibrant fruit flavour and fizzy bubbles on a hot day. They make a sophisticated non-alcoholic option to a party that doesn’t involve a punch bowl and that messy scoop!

1. In a medium saucepan, combine water, sugar, cranberries and ginger. Bring to a boil, constantly stirring to ensure the sugar dissolves. Once it’s reached a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened.
2. Pour syrup over a fine mesh sieve and allow to strain. Resist the urge to mash the mixture through the sieve, this will result in a cloudy syrup. Once the syrup has strained and cool, discard the remaining fruit mixture.
3. Fill a glass half way with ice, pour syrup until barely covers the ice. Then add club soda and gently swirl with a spoon. Garnish and serve!