Cranberry Sparkler Mocktail

12/16/12

A cranberry sparkler is a fruity but sophisticated non-alcoholic holiday drink. It is festive and delicious, bursting with bubbles and cranberry flavor! Perfect for serving at holiday parties!

I’ve decided, being pregnant and following a bunch of food bloggers on Instagram is really not a good thing.  Either I am stuck in the doctor’s office for, like, hours on end, starving but really in the mood for a substantial meal, not the little pack of nuts or granola bar I have in my purse, staring at photos of filet mignon sandwiches, dripping with cheese.  Or everyone (myself included) is sharing all kinds of holiday goodies.  But one of the most frustrating things is seeing everyone share their wines and cocktails of choice.  I love my wine. I miss my wine. So I feel the need to make a festive, sparkly non-alcoholic beverage to enjoy, like a cranberry sparkler!

You see, for #SundaySupper this week, in honor of this festive season filled with celebrations, we are having a party!  But, I have to be honest with you.  I am really writing this with a heavy heart. I mean, after the horrific events that took place at Sandy Hook on Friday, celebrating is difficult. How can we, when so many innocent lives were lost in such an awful and tragic way?!  How do we celebrate when the families and friends of the victims have had their lives forever rocked, and will be trying to get through the worst possible holiday season that they could ever possibly imagine? Only they aren’t imagining it – it is all too real.

I don’t mean to be shallow or uncaring or out of touch with reality, but I can’t watch any of the coverage or read any of the articles.  I am way too hormonal, and I have two innocent lives, one only two and one not yet born, that do not know what is going on. They are counting on me to keep it together. So I am protecting my boys, because the sad and scary part is that I don’t know how long I will be able to protect them, even though I will do everything in my power to keep them safe.

I was seriously considering backing out, but then I remembered what #SundaySupper is all about – bringing families together, and celebrating that togetherness.  And I think that is what we all need to do in order to heal ourselves and, hopefully one day, heal our world.  Especially during the holidays, and especially in the wake of such a tragedy.

Celebrate our loved ones, and cherish every moment that we have together.

For me, food is love, and so is this cranberry sparkler mocktail recipe.

The most wonderful moments in my family are when we are gathered around the table, sharing food and drinks.  So as Christmas approaches, I am going to look forward to sharing these family meals, and sharing this time with those that I love.  I urge you to do the same.

A little about the recipe.  I saw the idea for a homemade cranberry juice from Lisa’s Dinnertime Dish.  It sounded so tasty, the color was gorgeous, and I thought with a bit of orange and a bit of fizz, it would make a totally fun holiday beverage for those that can’t or don’t imbibe.

And what do you do on a day when you are just feeling out of sorts and can’t relax with a cocktail to unwind a bit?

Over and over…

And over again…

Whatever. You do what you gotta do, and I had to keep myself away from the computer and television for awhile.

So everybody, hug your babies, whether they are 2 or 52.  Kiss your significant other, even when you they are driving you crazy.  Love your parents, whether they live in the next room, the next town, the next state, or only in your heart and memory. And take this holiday season to celebrate all those that have touched your life and continue to fill your heart!

Peace and joy to you and yours!  Cheers to you all with a cranberry sparkler!

Check out the links at the bottom of this post for a lot more cocktails and beverages, tapas and treats to share with your family and friends.

Do you have a favorite dish or beverage to take to a party?

Enjoy the cranberry sparkler recipe!

Print Recipe

Cranberry Sparkler Mocktail

Course: Drink, Mocktail

Author: Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips (inspired by DIY Cranberry Juice from Lisa's Dinnertime Dish)

Ingredients

• 2 c fresh cranberries
• 1/2 c freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1/2 c water
• 1/4 c maple syrup or to taste (see Note). You can also substitute honey or agave nectar
• Sparkling water or club soda
• Frozen cranberries to serve as ice cubes if desired

Instructions

• Place the cranberries, orange juice, water, and maple syrup in a blender, and puree thoroughly.
• Strain through a mesh strainer.
• Return the juice to the blender and puree once more. Strain again.
• Keep juice in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
• When ready to serve, pour about 1/4 c juice in each champagne flute, and add about an equal amount of sparkling water or club soda.
• Garnish with frozen cranberries, if desired.

Notes

If you are going to dilute the juice with the Sparkling Water, you want to make the juice a little sweeter than you would want to drink it alone. If you just want to make juice, add a little more water and a little less sweetener.

Check out all of the amazing #SundaySupper party drinks and snacks.

Holiday Beverages

• Glühwein from Magnolia Days
• Cookies-n-Cream Cocktails from The Urban Mrs
• Cranberry Fizz from Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
• Rosemary Orange Punsch from Galactopdx
• Candy Cane Martini from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Raspberry Hot Chocolate from Momma’s Meals
• Chocolate Peppermint Eggnog from The Daily Dish Recipes
• Jamaican Sorrel from The Lovely Pantry
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate Spoons from Chocolate Moosey
• Homemade Eggnog from Flour on my Face
• Moroccan Mint Tea from MarocMama
• Cherry Bomb from Noshing with the Nolands
• Wassel from There And Back Again
• Cranberry Sparkler Mocktail from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Pomegranate Cosmo from Supper For A Steal
• Poinsettia Mimosas from Big Bear’s Wife
• Mulled Wine: Spiked and Steamy from Daddy Knows Less
• Poinsettia Cocktails from The Catholic Foodie
• The Red Carpet Diva from Cooking Underwriter

Holiday Appetizers or Hors d’oeuvres

• Cheese Ball Wreath from The Meltaways
• Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Tarts from My Catholic Kitchen
• Prosciutto Goat Cheese Rolls with Fig Preserves and Arugula from Shockingly Delicious
• Muenster and Spinach Pinwheels from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Drunk Moose Meatballs from The Foodie Army Wife
• Smoked Salmon Blinis with Cranberry-Spiced Feta from Chattering Kitchen
• Sticky Wholegrain Mustard & Ginger Cocktail Sausages from girlichef
• Potato Leek Soup from What Smells So Good
• Cheesy Mushroom Pull Apart Bread from Small Wallet Big Appetite
• 5 Quick & Easy Appetizers for Your Holiday Party from Webicurean
• Bacon Peanut Caramel Corn from Gotta Get Baked
• Crostini topped with Voodoo Chicken Cream Dip from Country Girl in the Village
• Mushroom Strudel from Vintage Kitchen
• Roxanne’s Shrimp & Andouille Sausage Queso Dip from The ROXX Box
• Herbed Holiday Party Mix from Curious Cuisiniere
• Old fashioned Swedish Meatballs from I Run For Wine
• Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Bites from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Fried Green Beans with Wasabi Ranch from Juanita’s Cocina
• Salsa Baked Cheese from Home Cooking Memories
• Cookie Dough Dip from The Cookie-A-Day Challenge
• Parmesan Onion Rounds from Kudos Kitchen by Renee
• Lip-smacking Cranberry Cocktail Meatballs from In The Kitchen with KP
• Hot Spinach Parmesan Dip from Comfy Cuisine
• Indian Spiced Tuna Balls from Soni’s Food
• Onion marmalade with Bacon from Ruffles and Truffles
• Sweet Potato Dip from Mama’s Blissful Bites
• Festive Cucumber & Ginger Sushi Rolls from The Ninja Baker
• Baked Brie from Family Foodie

This recipe was shared with: Thursday’s Treasures Week 66