Martha Crawford, like other with-it chefs, offers a soda as a spectacular dessert. She layers Driscoll’s strawberries, raspberries, blackberries or blueberries with vanilla ice cream in a frosted glass and then pours on strawberry puree and sparkling water. Set out the straws and long-handled spoons and dig in!

• 1 lb. Driscoll's strawberries, for puree
• 3/4 lb. Driscoll's raspberries, or strawberries, blackberries or blueberries for sodas
• 2 cups vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt
• 4-1/2 cups sparkling water
• 1 Tbs. lemon juice
• 1 Tbs. brandy or cherry cider, optional

Strawberry Puree: Rinse and hull the strawberries for puree. Place in blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Strain and refrigerate until ready to make sodas.

For each soda: Rinse berries for sodas. Hull and halve or quarter, if using strawberries. Frost 4 to 6 very tall glasses as follows: spread 1/4 cup sugar evenly on small plate, measure 1/4 cup water into small bowl. Dip rims of glasses first in water, then in sugar to coat rims. Keep glasses in freezer until ready to prepare sodas.

Layer berries and ice cream in frosted glasses: about 1/4 of berries, small scoop ice cream, another 1/4 of the berries, second scoop of ice cream, another 1/4 of the berries. (Sodas can be held in freezer for several hours at this point.)

In large pitcher, gently blend puree, sparkling water, lemon juice and brandy. Pour into prepared frosted glasses. Garnish with mint leaves and remaining berries.

Per serving: calories 209, fat 8.1g, 33% calories from fat, cholesterol 29mg, protein 3.8g, carbohydrates 33.7g, fiber 8.4g, sugar 29.0g, sodium 54mg, diet points 3.7.

Dietary Exchanges: Milk: 0.0, Vegetable: 0.0, Fruit: 1.3, Bread: 0.0, Lean meat: 0.0, Fat: 1.3, Sugar: 1.3, Very lean meat protein: 0.0

  view detailed nutritional information