This bright and refreshing Cranberry Mocktail recipe is a fun and festive holiday drink for all ages. It’s easy to make with just a few basic ingredients.
Nothing says the holidays quite like the refreshing, tart flavor and festive look of cranberries!
The bright seasonal fruit is both delicious and a happy, colorful addition to holiday food and drink. I love how it transforms holiday appetizers like this Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie. And how it turns ordinary chicken wings into an elegant and easy holiday dish, like these Cranberry Pomegranate Sticky Wings.
And when I want a beautiful, stunning holiday drink to serve at an all-ages party, I make these non-alcoholic Cranberry Mocktails!
The bold cranberry flavor, combined with a hint of citrus and sparkling fizz, is a crowd-pleaser that lets guests of all ages feel included in the festivities!
Whether you’re entertaining a mix of adults and kids or simply looking for a festive non-alcoholic option, this cranberry mocktail is easy to make and bursting with holiday cheer.
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🌟 Why this recipe works
Not only does this cranberry mocktail look stunning on a holiday table, but it’s also truly delicious and refreshing!
- Seasonal & festive: bursting with cranberry flavors as well as fresh cranberries for garnish, this drink brings the holiday spirit to the table.
- Refreshing & family-friendly: Bright and fizzy, it’s the perfect non-alcoholic choice for guests of all ages.
- Easy to make: You can enjoy this delightful holiday mocktail in just a few easy steps – no fancy bartending skills needed!
- Easy to customize: Add fresh herbs or additional fruit juices to make it your own. Or, if you want to add alcohol, you can add a splash of vodka or gin.
🛒 Ingredient notes
- Cranberry Juice: Use 100% cranberry juice for a rich, natural flavor.
- Ginger beer: Adds a refreshing fizz and a touch of warmth. And yes, most ginger beer is non-alcoholic; double check the label to make sure you are using a non-alcoholic option.
- Sugar and orange zest: to create a citrus sugar rim garnish.
- Garnishes: Fresh cranberries, rosemary sprigs, or citrus slices add festive flair.
✅ Step-by-step instructions
Prepare the citrus sugar: In a shallow bowl, mix together the sugar and orange zest.
Garnish the glasses: swipe a lime slice, orange slice, or lemon slice over the top rim of a cocktail glass. Turn the glass over and dip into the citrus sugar to coat the top rim. Repeat with the other cocktail glass and set aside.
Combine Ingredients: Fill each glass approximately 3/4 full of ice cubes. Pour half of the cranberry juice in each glass. Top with ginger beer.
Garnish: Add a few fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary to each glass for decoration.
Stir gently and serve immediately.
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQs
Yes, but keep in mind that cranberry cocktail is typically sweeter and less tart.
Pomegranate, apple, and orange juices are great additions for more flavor depth.
Combine all ingredients except the sparkling water or ginger ale; add the fizz just before serving.
🍽 Serving ideas
These cranberry mocktails look super fun and festive on any holiday table!
For the holidays, serve them either at the start of the party, along with appetizers like Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie or Easy Instant Pot Cranberry Meatballs.
You can also serve these to end the meal on a festive note. They’re great served with holiday desserts like Cranberry Peppermint Bark and Skillet Apple Cranberry Crisp.
🍳 Kitchen tools and equipment
Ready to make this recipe? Here are the kitchen tools and equipment you’ll need:
- Mixing spoon
- Measuring cup
- Cocktail jigger
- Cocktail glasses (preferably chilled)
- Ice cube tray
More mocktail and cocktail recipes
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Cranberry Mocktails
Equipment
- 2 10-ounce glasses
Ingredients
For orange sugar
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
- 1 lime wedge
For mocktails
- 8 ounces cranberry juice
- 8 ounces ginger beer
- fresh cranberries, for garnish
- 2 rosemary sprigs, for mixing and for garnish
Instructions
- Make the orange sugar: in a shallow bowl, combine the sugar and orange zest until well combined. Run a lime wedge along the top rim of each glass. Dip the rim of each glass into the orange sugar, coating the entire rim.
Make the mocktail
- Fill each glass approximately 3/4 full of ice cubes.
- Pour half of the cranberry juice into each glass.
- Top off each glass with ginger beer (approximately half of the ginger beer into each glass; you may have some ginger beer leftover).
- Add 4-5 cranberries to each glass.
- Stir each mocktail with a rosemary sprig and garnish with the rosemary sprig before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
