Polar Raspberry Lime Seltzer

Polar Raspberry Lime Seltzer is a flavored sparkling water that pairs red berry with citrus. It's sold here in the mixers and soda water aisle, not as a ready-to-drink cocktail, so it needs a spirit added if you want a drink with alcohol. Expect raspberry to lead on the nose and early palate, with lime coming in behind it as a tart, zesty edge. Flavored seltzers in this style are usually dry and lightly fruited, not syrupy like a soda, and the carbonation does most of the work of making the flavor feel crisp. It's ready to pour as it is, with nothing to measure, shake or prepare. Serve it well chilled, since cold temperatures keep the bubbles sharp and stop the berry notes from tasting flat. Pour it over plenty of ice in a highball or tall tumbler, and add a lime wedge if you want a brighter citrus aroma. Drinking it straight from the can works just as well for a quick refill or a drink to take along. As a mixer, the raspberry-lime profile suits clear, neutral spirits such as vodka, gin or white rum, where the fruit can come through without competing. A tall glass with a measure of spirit topped up with seltzer gives a light, fizzy highball. Stirred in gently, it keeps the carbonation intact. It also works alongside other non-alcoholic mixers to lighten a juice-based drink. On its own, it goes well with salty or fried foods like chips, wings and pizza, where the acidity and bubbles cut through richness. It also fits cookouts, picnics and cooler-bag outings, and it's a useful non-alcoholic option to have on the table next to wine or spirits at a gathering.