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Cranberry Sparkling Mocktail Drink
Create a festive cranberry sparkling mocktail with soda, tart juice, and fresh garnishes in just minutes.
The Cranberry Sparkling Mocktail is a festive, non-alcoholic beverage that combines tart cranberry juice with chilled sparkling water or club soda to create a bright, effervescent drink. A touch of sweetener—such as simple syrup, honey, or maple syrup—tempers the cranberry’s natural sharpness, while a squeeze of fresh lime or orange juice adds citrusy depth. Whole cranberries and an optional sprig of rosemary lend color and aroma, making the presentation as appealing as the flavor. Typically served over ice in a flute or stemmed glass, this ruby-red mocktail is especially popular at winter holidays, brunches, baby showers, and other celebrations where a sophisticated yet alcohol-free option is desired.
Cranberry Sparkling Mocktail Drink
Ready in under five minutes, this crowd-pleaser relies on everyday ingredients and scales up effortlessly for parties of any size. It’s budget-friendly and endlessly customizable—swap in sugar-free sweeteners, infuse the cranberries overnight for deeper flavor, or garnish with seasonal fruit to make it your own.
Prep Time
15 minutes
15 minutes
Cook Time
0 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time
15 minutes
15 minutes
Ingredients
00 % unsweetened cranberry juice – 1 cup (240 ml)
- Chilled sparkling water or club soda – 1 cup (240 ml)
- Freshly squeezed orange juice – ¼ cup (60 ml)
- Fresh lime juice – 1 Tbsp (15 ml)
- Simple syrup (or honey/maple syrup) – 1 Tbsp, adjust to taste
- Ice cubes – about 1 cup
- Whole fresh cranberries – small handful, for garnish
- Orange slices – 2–3 thin rounds, optional but recommended
- Fresh rosemary sprigs – 1–2, optional aromatic garnish
- Fresh mint leaves – 4–6 small leaves, optional refreshment
- Superfine sugar (for rimming the glass) – 2 Tbsp, optional
Method
Gather cranberry juice, sparkling water or club soda, fresh lime juice, simple syrup or sweetener, ice cubes, fresh cranberries, and lime slices or rosemary sprigs for garnish
- Chill serving glasses in the refrigerator or freezer for at least 10 minutes
- Run a lime wedge around the rim of each chilled glass if you want a sugared rim
- Dip the moistened rim into a shallow plate of granulated sugar and tap off the excess
- Fill each prepared glass about three-quarters full with ice cubes
- Pour cranberry juice over the ice, filling the glass halfway
- Add fresh lime juice and simple syrup directly to the glass and briefly stir to combine
- Slowly top the mixture with chilled sparkling water or club soda until the glass is almost full
- Stir gently once more to integrate the bubbles without flattening the drink
- Drop a few fresh cranberries into the glass for color and flavor
- Garnish with a lime slice or a small rosemary sprig on top of the drink
- Serve the cranberry sparkling mocktail immediately while it is still cold and fizzy
Nutrition (whole recipe)
Calories
301 kcal Protein
1 g Fat
0 g Carbs
77 g Fiber
2 g Sugar
72 g
301 kcal Protein
1 g Fat
0 g Carbs
77 g Fiber
2 g Sugar
72 g
Notes
Freeze a handful of cranberries ahead of time and drop them in as “ice cubes” to chill the drink without dilution and add extra color. For a flavor twist, muddle a thin strip of orange peel in the glass before pouring; the released oils give the mocktail a fragrant, citrusy lift.
why this recipe
Brimming with festive flair and balanced flavor, this cranberry sparkling mocktail is worth making because it effortlessly marries the tart vibrancy of fresh cranberries with the effervescence of bubbly soda, creating a sophisticated sip that feels celebratory yet refreshingly light. The jewel-toned drink not only dazzles the eye, but its layered notes of citrus and subtle sweetness make it a versatile companion for brunches, holiday gatherings, or a simple night in when you crave something special without the alcohol. Quick to assemble and crowd-pleasing by design, it invites you to elevate any occasion with minimal effort and maximum taste.
FAQs
FAQ acf
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I prepare the Cranberry Sparkling Mocktail ahead of time without losing its fizz?
Mix the cranberry juice, citrus juices, and sweetener up to a day in advance and keep the base well-chilled, but don’t add the sparkling water/club soda until just before serving—otherwise the carbonation will go flat. You can also sugar-rim the glasses and freeze the cranberries ahead of time, then simply top each glass with the bubbly at the last minute for maximum fizz.
How can I adapt the recipe to make a sugar-free or low-calorie version?
Swap the simple syrup for a zero-calorie sweetener such as liquid stevia, monk-fruit drops, or erythritol, tasting as you go to reach the desired balance. Use light or diet (no-sugar-added) cranberry juice and skip the sugared rim, relying on extra fresh citrus or a splash of naturally flavored sparkling water to brighten the drink without adding calories.
How can I convert this mocktail into a cocktail for adult guests?
Simply replace 1–2 oz (30–60 ml) of the sparkling water with vodka, gin, or white rum, stirring it into the cranberry-citrus base before topping with the remaining bubbles. For a lighter, brunch-style cocktail, swap all the club soda for chilled prosecco or dry sparkling wine instead. Garnish as directed and serve immediately.