Easy Holiday Cranberry Mocktail Recipe

This Holiday Cranberry Mocktail is the perfect blend of tart, sweet, and bubbly, making it a showstopper for your holiday gatherings! Whether you keep it alcohol-free or add a little kick, it’s guaranteed to impress!

I love making these for girls nights, thanksgiving & Christmas dinners when hosting!

If you love sweet treats during the holidays, you are also going to love my... soft & chewy cookies; Brown Butter White Chocolate Matcha Cookies, Fudgy Oreo Brownies & Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bites!

Ingredients

• Cranberries, fresh or frozen 
• White Granulated Sugar  
• Lemon, juiced  
• Carbonated Water 
• Rosemary Sprigs, for garnish

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Add cranberries, sugar & lemon juice to a saucier!

Heat up until it becomes the consistency of a jam!

Transfer to a martini glass over ice with some sparkling water!

Garnish with rosemary & enjoy!

1. Make the Cranberry Base:  
   • In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the cranberries, sugar, lemon juice, and water. Stir occasionally until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens into a jam-like consistency. Add a splash more water if it’s too thick.  
2. Blend (Optional):  
   • For a smoother texture, blend the mixture with a hand blender. Strain if you prefer a refined finish, but I love keeping it rustic.  
3. Assemble the Cocktail:  
   • Fill a martini glass with ice.  
   • Add ½ cup of the cranberry mixture.  
   • Top with 1 cup of sparkling water.  
   • Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig.  
4. Optional Boozy Twist:  
   • For a festive flair, spike your drink with a crisp white wine, a shot of vodka, or gin.  
5. Serve & Enjoy:  
   • Serve chilled and enjoy the merry vibes in every sip! Cheers to a sparkling holiday season. 

Substitutions

• Cranberries (Fresh or Frozen): Substitute with Pomegranate seeds (blended for texture), red currants, or frozen cherries for a similar flavor.  
• White Granulated Sugar: Substitute with honey, maple syrup, or cane sugar.
• Lemon (Juiced): Substitute with lime juice, orange juice (for a sweeter citrus note), or apple cider vinegar (use sparingly for acidity).  
• Carbonated Water: Substitute with club soda, tonic water (for a slightly bitter twist), ginger ale, or lemon-lime soda for sweetness and fizz.  
• Rosemary Sprigs (for Garnish): Substitute with thyme sprigs, mint leaves, a cinnamon stick, or a twist of citrus peel for a festive touch.  

Variation: Spiced Cranberry Mule

A festive twist on the classic Moscow Mule, combining warm spices and a ginger kick.

Additional Ingredients:

• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon or 1 cinnamon stick (for the cranberry base)
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3 oz ginger beer

Directions:

1. Add cinnamon and nutmeg to the cranberry base during cooking for a spiced flair.
2. In a copper mug or glass filled with ice, mix ½ cup of the spiced cranberry mixture with 1 cup of ginger beer.
3. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a slice of candied ginger.
4. For a boozy option, add 1 shot of vodka or bourbon.

Equipment

• Small Saucier/Saucepan 
• Lemon Juicer or Squeezer
• Martini Glass/or any Cocktail Glass
• Hand Blender 

How to Store

Store the cranberry mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze in a sealed container or ice cube tray for up to 3 months. Thaw in fridge before assembly of the cocktail/cocktail. 

FAQs

Related

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Holiday Cranberry Mocktail

This Holiday Cranberry Mocktail is the perfect blend of tart, sweet, and bubbly, making it a showstopper for your seasonal gatherings. Whether you keep it alcohol-free or add a little kick, it’s guaranteed to impress!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 4 drinks

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

• 6 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
• ½ cup white sugar
• ½ lemon juiced
• ½ cup water plus extra if needed
• Rosemary sprigs for garnish
• Ice Cubes for serving
• Carbonated water for serving

Equipment

• Saucier
• Measuring Cups
• Hand mixer

Method

 

Make the Cranberry Base:

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the cranberries, sugar, lemon juice, and water. Stir occasionally until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens into a jam-like consistency. Add a splash more water if it’s too thick.

Blend:

1. For a smoother texture, add 1 more cup of water & blend the mixture with a handheld mixer. Strain if you prefer a refined finish, but I like keeping it rustic!

Assemble the Cocktail:

1. Fill a martini glass with ice.
2. Add ½ cup of the cranberry mixture to each glass.
3. Top with 1 cup of sparkling water!
4. Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig!

Optional Boozy Twist:

1. For a festive flair, spike your drink with a crisp white wine, a shot of vodka, or gin.

Serve & Enjoy:

1. Serve chilled and enjoy the merry vibes in every sip! Cheers to a sparkling holiday season.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Food safety

• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.