Last week we were invited to attend the UK launch for bestselling US flavoured water brand ‘Sparkling ICE®’. Sadly we didn’t make it in time to the German Gymnasium in Kings Cross, London, for the cocktails, but the nice ladies from W Communication gave us enough products to take home, so I decided to turn my kitchen into a cocktail laboratory once again.

But first things first. I am one of those people who doesn’t like drinking plain water, sparkling water is just about okay, but I really prefer my water to have a fruity flavour. If it is sparkling and fruity, it’s a bonus. Low calorie – even better.

Sparkling ICE® is a lightly carbonated flavoured sparkling mountain spring water with added vitamins made by the Talking Rain® company in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains in Preston, Washington State on the North West coast of the US. The company has been going for more than 25 years and they also make a range of flavoured lemonades and ice teas.

The initial launch in the UK and Ireland this month sees three different flavours hitting the shelves of around 8,000 shops: Orange Mango, Black Raspberry and Peach Nectarine. Each 500ml bottle has just 12 calories.

So, what’s the verdict? I like this flavoured water a lot. It ticks all the boxes for me (see above). It does taste of actual fruit (there is real fruit juice in there as well as flavourings), I can’t taste the sweetener, it doesn’t go flat once opened and I hope they bring over more of their flavours (I am very keen on trying lemon-lime, strawberry-watermelon, black cherry and pink grapefruit!)

But, as I mentioned before, Sparkling ICE® flavoured water also makes a great cocktail mixer. I was thinking about what to call them for far too long, so to get this post out there, I have decided to just call them Eins, Zwei and Drei (one, two and three) in honour of the launch party at the German Gymnasium. They are all sunny and fruity, just perfect for the summer.

 

Enjoy!

 

Sparkling ICE® Eins

• ¼ pineapple in chunks
• flesh from 1 passion fruit
• 5 or 6 physalis
• 1 teaspoon of agave syrup
• 1 teaspoon of coconut syrup
• 1 shot glass of spiced rum
• 1 shot glass of tequila
• plenty of ice

Put all the ingredients with a little bit of Sparkling ICE® Orange Mango in the blender and blitz for a few minutes. Pour into a long drink glass and top up with more of the Sparkling ICE® Orange Mango. Decorate with a physalis.

This one is a very tropical drink, reminding me of a sipping a piña colada in a hammock of a beach bar in Isla Mujeres.

 

Sparkling ICE® Zwei

Prep needed: I made some raspberry ice cubes the day before by putting half a raspberry in each hole in the ice tray before filling it up with water.

• 1 shot of Chambord raspberry liqueur
• 1 shot glass of vodka

Pour the alcohol into a small wine glass and fill up with Sparkling ICE® Black Raspberry. Decorate with a few raspberries on a stick.

This one is the strongest of the cocktails, ideal as an aperitif.

 

Sparkling ICE® Drei

Prep needed: I made some blueberry ice cubes the day before by putting a blueberry in each hole in the ice tray before filling it up with water.

• ½ half nectarine, chopped into slices
• several strawberries, halved
• 2 shot glasses of gin

Arrange in a long drink glass with the ice cubes and fill the glass up with Sparkling ICE® Peach Nectarine. Decorate with a strawberry and serve with a long spoon so people can eat the fruit.

This is my take on a summer punch – a fruit salad with alcohol.

And Sparkling ICE® like to remind you:

 

As in life, chill for best results!