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A cranberry mocktail is a gorgeous, tart, and refreshing beverage that pairs beautifully with cozy winter evenings or holiday parties. Cranberry juice, cranberry sprite, and cranberry orange infused ice cubes all in a sugar rimmed glass make this an extra special holiday mocktail recipe.
I am a huge fan of mocktails! Fun fact: I don’t drink alcohol so I have somehow become an expert on mocktail drinks. I have had some amazing mocktails and some not so amazing mocktails in my day.
I wanted to create an easy, festive, holiday drink that is not only stunning but also tastes delicious and like the holidays. I wanted to focus on cranberries since they are the star of the holidays.
Whenever cranberry Sprite makes its debut in our grocery store, we nab it as quickly as possible. It is bubbly, fresh tasting, with that perfect amount of cranberry flavor. I wanted to make a mocktail with cranberry juice, cranberry sprite, and fresh cranberry orange ice cubes all in a sugar rimmed glass. This is a crisp, sparkling, fresh mocktail that is perfect for the holidays.
What ingredients do you need to make a cranberry mocktail?
- Cranbery Juice: See below for different types of cranberry juice to use depending on sweetness preference.
- Cranberry Sprite, Sprite, Seltzer, or Sparkling Water: This adds the fizz and bubblines to the drink. If you want a sweeter drink, use cranberry Sprite. If you want a less sweet drink, use sparkling water.
- Cranberry Ice: These are ice cubes frozen with fresh cranberries and orange slices. This infuses extra flavor into the drink. See below on how to make them.
- Garnishes: A sugar rimmed glass, cranberry skewer, fresh rosemary, and orange slices are all beautiful garnishes.
What type of cranberry juice should I use?
When it comes to the base of your cranberry mocktail, there are several different types of cranberry juice to choose from:
- 100% Cranberry Juice (No Sugar Added): Tart and bold flavor, this option offers the most natural cranberry flavor. If you prefer a less sweet drink, this is the way to go, and you can adjust sweetness to taste by adding sweeteners like simple syrup or honey.
- Cranberry Juice with Sugar Added: This strikes a nice balance and is often sweeter than pure cranberry juice. It’s perfect if you don’t want to fuss with additional sweeteners.
- Cranberry Juice Cocktail: This is usually a blend of cranberry juice and other fruit juices, often with added sugar. It’s the sweetest and easiest option.
I like to use the Simply Cranberry Cocktail brand juice. It is just cranberry juice, sugar, and water.
What should I use as a bubbly option?
Cranberry Sprite: Ideal for extra cranberry flavor and sweetness. It is a holiday seasonal drink found during the holidays. It adds an extra bit of cranberry flavor.
Regular Sprite: Classic lemon-lime flavor brightens the cranberry juice and makes the drink more festive.
Seltzer or Sparkling Water: If you prefer a lighter, less sweet mocktail, seltzer water adds fizz without extra sugar or flavor.
Ginger Ale or Ginger Beer (Non-alcoholic): For a spicy twist that complements the tart cranberry.
How to create a sugar rim:
A sugar rim adds sparkle and sweetness. I love not only the look but also the taste! It makes it so much more festive and beautiful.
Dip the rim of the glass about ¼ inch deep into water or cranberry juice, to moisten the entire rim. This allows the sugar to stick to it.
Place granulated sugar in a shallow bowl. Gently press the glass rim into the sugar, pressing and rolling slightly to ensure an even coating.
Lift the glass and give it a light tap to shake off excess sugar.
Fill with your cranberry mocktail and enjoy!
How to make decorative ice cubes and garnishes:
I love making festive ice cubes filled with fresh fruits and even herbs like rosemary. They even infuse flavor into the mocktails as the ice melts.
How to make Holiday Ice Cubes:
- Fill an ice cube tray with water and drop in a couple of fresh cranberries and a small slice of orange. Freeze until solid. I like to use these large ice cube trays from Amazon. You can also use smaller ice cube trays.
Garnishes:
- Skewer fresh cranberries on a cocktail pick and rest it on the rim.
- Place a wedge or slice of a sliced orange on the side of the glass.
- Add a sprig of rosemary or mint for a holiday greenery touch.
How to make a Cranberry Mocktail:
Make a sugar rim. Dip a glass into water and then a shallow dish of sugar to coat the rim. See above for instructions of coating a glass in sugar.
Fill a glass with ice cubes (preferably fresh cranberry orange ice cubes).
Add cranberry juice.
Add a sparkling bubbly drink. Top with your choice of Cranberry Sprite, Sprite, or seltzer.
Garnish with fresh cranberries, orange slices, and a sprig of rosemary for a festive touch.
Drink Recipes:
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Holiday Sparkling Cranberry Mocktail
Ingredients
- 52 ounces Cranberry Juice (Simply Cranberry Cocktail)
- (4) 12-ounce cans Cranberry Sprite (or Sprite or seltzer water)
- Sugar (for rim of glass)
- Fresh Cranberry Ice Cubes
Garnish:
- Fresh Cranberries
- Fresh Orange Slices
- Fresh Rosemary
Instructions
How to make Holiday Ice Cubes:
- Fill an ice cube tray with water and drop in a couple of fresh cranberries and a small slice of orange. Freeze until solid. I like to use these large ice cube trays from Amazon. You can also use smaller ice cube trays.
How to create a Sugar Rimmed Glass:
- Dip the rim of the glass about ¼ inch deep into water or cranberry juice, to moisten the entire rim. This allows the sugar to stick to it.Place granulated sugar in a shallow bowl. Gently press the glass rim into the sugar, pressing and rolling slightly to ensure an even coating.
How to make a Cranberry Mocktail:
- Make a sugar rim. Dip a glass into water and then a shallow dish of sugar to coat the rim. See above for instructions on coating a glass in sugar. Fill a glass with ice cubes (preferably fresh cranberry orange ice cubes).
- Add cranberry juice. Add a sparkling bubbly drink. Top with your choice of Cranberry Sprite, Sprite, or seltzer. I suggest a 50/50 — 50% juice and 50% sparkling drink but you could do 75% juice and 25% sparkling. Garnish with fresh cranberries, orange slices, and a sprig of rosemary for a festive touch.
Garnishes:
- Skewer fresh cranberries on a cocktail pick and rest it on the rim. Add a sprig of rosemary or mint for a holiday greenery touch.
Notes
-
- 100% Cranberry Juice (No Sugar Added): If you prefer a less sweet drink, this is the way to go.
-
- Cranberry Juice with Sugar Added: This strikes a nice balance and is often sweeter than pure cranberry juice. It’s perfect if you don’t want to fuss with additional sweeteners.
-
- Cranberry Juice Cocktail: This is usually a blend of cranberry juice and other fruit juices, often with added sugar. It’s the sweetest and easiest option.
Regular Sprite
Seltzer or Sparkling Water
Ginger Ale or Non-Alcoholic Ginger Beer
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Oh WOW!!! this sounds amazing to me. I don’t drink either and I’m so Happy when I have plenty of options for my guests who love to have a drink in their hand but don’t drink Alcohol. This sounds delicious too!!
This looks great — I’m excited to try it! I also love the cocktail glass — can you share the source?
Hi Caroline! Thank you so much! I found the glasses at Nordstrom, of all places, last summer. I looked them up online but couldn’t find them at Nordstrom. I did find something similar at World Market and Amazon by searching up gold rimmed glass. I hope that helps!
Love this festive drink!! Seriously so good and refreshing. 🙂