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!
Cranberry Sparkler Mocktail
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 ¼ c juice in each champagne flute, and add about an equal amount of sparkling water or club soda.
- Garnish with frozen cranberries, if desired.
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
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Such a pretty drink! It sounds nice and refreshing too. And I love the photos of the cranberries being dropped into the drink.
Thank you! It is quite refreshing – perfect after working all day in the kitchen making Christmas dinner.
Well Said! Your Mocktail looks fun and festive and sounds yummy. I will be sharing this one with my kids.
Thanks! Yep, I’ll be sharing with my underage cousins, and my sister who is not much of a wine drinker.
These will be perfect for Christmas! We are going to my mom’s and there is no alcohol in her house but this will be a fun and festive beverage she’ll allow em to serve!
Oh perfect! Enjoy!
I love your action shots! And I bet this tastes so refreshing!
Thanks! But I was bouncing cranberries all over my kitchen 🙂
Your mocktail looks so festive and sounds so good, Brianne! I love that you added the orange juice, it sounds like a great combo with the cranberries!
Thanks for the great idea! I love cranberry and orange, and thought it would also add a touch of natural sweetness.
This is one of my favorite recipes for today. I love that it’s non alcoholic. I too can’t help but think of those 20 families in Danbury Connecticut ; my heart goes out to them.
Aww, thank you! Of course, next year I may be making it with sparking wine 😉
Love y0ur drink and all the fun pictures!!!
Thanks! It was quite entertaining.
This sounds so refreshin, I love the cranberry splash picture:)
Connie
Thanks so much!
These look perfect for a celebration, so festive! I love the pic where the cranberry seems to be doing a loop!
Thank you! That is my favorite picture, too!
I have really gotten into cranberry juice lately. Mainly because they have started selling 300ml bottles in 3 packs! This looks like it would go down very well. Maybe something I could make for New Years Eve. You have a beautiful blog!
Thank you very much. You could definitely make this with bottled cranberry juice!
What a pretty little drink! I love that you could switch out the sparkling water for sparkling wine if you wanted to make an adult version too…
Absolutely! And I plan on doing that next Christmas 🙂 A little vodka, maybe some orange vodka, would not be terrible either if you use the club soda!
Wonderful!
Thank you!
Simply gorgeous! And I’m so impressed you made your own cranberry juice!!!!
Thank you! The fresh cranberries really give an amazing color!
Beautiful photos! I love cranberry anything!
I have really been into cranberry stuff lately, too!
So pretty! Great that it works for everyone at the party!
Yep, and those that can/do drink alcohol can use sparkling wine for the club soda, or make it as is, and add some vodka.
I was pregnant last Christmas so I can totally sympathize with you. But like you I was able to find wonderful drinks like this that make me feel less like the odd one out. There is nothing worse then being at a party where everyone is drinking these fun drinks and you are stuck drinking water. So something fun like this is perfect.
Yes, I wanted to enjoy something on Christmas Eve while the rest of the family is having their wine.
Looks and sounds so good! I love all of these festive drinks!
Thank you! Yes, it is fun to drink something holiday-ish!
Brianne, what a beautiful post. I also found it strange to be writing a post about celebrating and cracking jokes as I normally do against the backdrop of Friday’s event. However, I feel the same as you when it comes to the intent behind Sunday Supper – it’s all about bringing together families and appreciating the time we have together, especially in the wake of tragedy, especially at Christmas time. I love this drink and your action shots are awesome, especially the photo the big splash coming out of the glass. I’m sorry you can’t drink this year but come next year, you’ll have a new lil one in the house and can drink to your heart’s content 🙂 Happy holidays!
Thank you. I really tried hard to balance celebration and solemnity. I have so much to celebrate, even if I can’t do it with a cocktail 🙂
Beautiful drink and very well said about the tragedy. Thanks for sharing a great recipe & your thoughts !
Thanks Sue! You kn ow how I struggled, and your kind words mean a lot.
Life is a funny thing. There are far too many times when you don’t know if it’s appropriate to laugh or cry. When tragedy strikes, I too tend to close myself off from the world as a form self preservation. It’s especially hard and most important when you have little ones to keep safe and care for.
Your post was beautifully written and your photos are incredible! They were time away from the TV, well spent. I wish you and your family a blessed and safe 2014!
Thank you Renee. Every time I come back to this post, it strikes a chord for me.