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Need an easy, but delicious drink idea for the holiday season? With just 3 simple ingredients, this Christmas cranberry mocktail is the perfect festive drink.
Get ready to add a dash of festive flavor to your holiday gatherings with our simple and delicious sparkling cranberry mocktail. Whether you’re looking for a non-alcoholic option for the designated drivers, or a family-friendly beverage for all to enjoy, this delicious mocktail is the perfect solution. I’ll guide you through an easy-to-follow recipe, combining the tartness of cranberries with a touch of sweetness and a hint of citrus. With minimal ingredients and quick preparation, you’ll have a refreshing drink that embodies the holiday spirit without the need for any spirits!
Why This Recipe Works So Well
A holiday drink needs to serve two purposes. First, it has to look beautiful. Second, it must put you and your guests in a festive mood. This easy cranberry mocktail recipe does both! The vibrant red color of the floating cranberries, and the fresh combination of cranberry, orange, and ginger are just what you need to serve during this special time of year.
How To Make
- Mix the cranberry juice cocktail, ginger ale, and orange juice together in a large pitcher or container.
- Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
- Serve in clear glasses. Garnish with fresh cranberries and orange slices.
Variations + Serving Suggestions
- You can use any kind of cranberry juice you want…the real thing or the cocktail version. I used Diet Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Drink. (Keep in mind that if you use pure unsweetened cranberry juice, you will have to add a sweetener, such as simple syrup or liquid sweetener.)
- Tonic, club soda, sparkling water, or spicy ginger beer can be substituted for the ginger ale.
- Fresh orange juice is amazing, but feel free to use whatever is easiest. I used Tropicana Trop50.
- The amounts in this recipe can be adjusted to serve any number of people. Just make sure you use equal parts of the cranberry juice, ginger ale, and orange juice.
- To serve this drink when cranberries are out of season, substitute cherry juice and use fresh cherries for garnish.
- To make it easy to serve for holiday dinners, New Year’s Eve parties, winter celebrations, or other special occasions, use a punch bowl instead of a pitcher.
- This good mocktail can also be garnished with fresh mint or a sprig of fresh rosemary.
- Place the glasses in the freezer for a short time before serving to ensure they are nicely chilled. This adds a refreshing element to the mocktail, especially if you’re serving it during a holiday gathering.
- For a custom touch, lightly dip the rim of the glass first in water, and then in sugar, before pouring the mocktail. This adds a subtle sweetness and a bit of sparkle.
Food Pairings
Many foods complement this cranberry mocktail recipe. It goes well with appetizers like cheese platters, charcuterie boards, baked brie, or savory crackers and a delicious cheese dip. It also pairs nicely with ham and swiss sliders, chicken salad sandwiches, crockpot meatballs, or shrimp cocktail.
A Kid-Friendly Option
Children love to be included in family celebrations. This cranberry mocktail is a kid-friendly drink option, and it will make the children in your life feel very special. They can enjoy the festive feel of having a beautiful and delicious drink just like the adults, minus the alcohol.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can! Cranberries freeze very well, but make sure to wrap them properly. Simply place an unopened bag of fresh cranberries in a resealable freezer bag, and place it in the freezer. Make sure to mark the date. The cranberries will retain their taste and texture for up to six months.
Flavored ice cubes are a great way to keep your drinks from becoming watered down by regular ice. Add one or two cranberries to each vessel of an ice cube tray. Pour in cranberry juice or ginger ale, and freeze until solid.
This recipe can be made several hours in advance of when you want to serve it. Keep in mind that the carbonation in the ginger ale may fade a bit. Make sure to store it in the refrigerator in an air-tight container until ready to serve.
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More Mocktails For Your Holiday Party
Easy Last Minute
Christmas Ideas
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Sparkling Cranberry Mocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups diet cranberry juice cocktail
- 3 cups diet ginger ale
- 3 cups low calorie orange juice (Tropicana Light)
- cranberries and orange slices for garnish
Instructions
- Mix the cranberry juice cocktail, ginger ale, and orange juice together in a pitcher or container.
- Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
- Serve in clear glasses, garnished with fresh cranberries and orange slices.
Notes
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
If you make this recipe, and love it, please come back to leave a comment and a 5-star review. I would really appreciate it, and it would help me so much. Thank you!
I love your blog. Thank you for the great Christmas ideas. I have used your Christmas tags for years. I am having a tea party on Sunday and I needed a mocktail. I checked your blog today and I am using the Sparkling Cranberry
Mocktail recipe. Thank you Betty
You are welcome…what a lovely idea to host a tea party!