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A Sparkling Cranberry Mocktail is a festive and delicious non-alcoholic holiday drink recipe that is bursting with bubbles. Fruity but sophisticated, and naturally sweetened with orange juice and real maple syrup, plus the vibrant red color makes it perfect for serving at holiday parties. And with some champagne or sparkling wine or even a splash of vodka you can easily turn it into a Christmas cocktail for the adults.
When I first created this recipe, I was pregnant with my little guy. Very pregnant. I’d be stuck in a doctor’s office for hours on end scrolling Instagram and starving. The kind of starving where I was really in the mood for a substantial meal, not the little pack of nuts or granola bar I had in my purse. And there I was staring at photos of filet mignon, sandwiches dripping with cheese, and cookies.
Oh, the cookies. It was right near the holidays, so Christmas cookies were in abundance.
As were Christmas cocktails. I love my wine. I missed my wine.
That means I felt the need to make a festive, sparkly non-alcoholic beverage to enjoy while I share in the celebrations with my family and friends.
A Christmas 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 spending this time with those that I love. I urge you to do the same.
For me, food is love, and this sparkling cranberry orange mocktail recipe is perfect to toast as we celebrate our loved ones and cherish every moment that we have together.
Cranberry Sparkler
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.
Here is a brief overview so you can see just how easy it is to make. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for the full quantities and details.
But don’t skip my PRO TIPS below!
What You’ll Need
- Fresh cranberries
- Freshly squeezed orange juice
- Water
- Maple syrup – you can also substitute honey or agave nectar
- Sparkling water or club soda
Directions
- Place the cranberries, orange juice, water, and maple syrup in a blender, and puree thoroughly, then strain.
- Return the juice to the blender and puree and strain once more.
- When ready to serve, pour about 1/4 cup of juice in each champagne flute, and top with sparkling water or club soda.
NOTE: Keep the cranberry juice in the refrigerator until ready to serve. It will keep for a few days.
Can you make it a cocktail?
Yes, you have a couple of options. Substitute the seltzer with sparkling wine, prosecco, or champagne. You can also make it with the sparkling water and then add a shot of vodka or your alcohol of choice. Spice it up with Fireball, warm yourself inside and out with bourbon, or try something flavored like an apple or orange liqueur.
Make it a celebration
At the bottom of this post for a lot more cocktails and beverages, tapas and treats to share with your family and friends. Here are some things to serve with those Christmas drinks.
Holiday cocktail party
- Caramelized Apple Pecan Baked Brie
- Pineapple Ham Cheese Ball
- Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Blue Cheese
- Low Carb Feta Spinach Pinwheels
Christmas cookie exchange
Christmas dinner
Peace and joy to you and yours! Cheers to you all with a cranberry sparkler!
More fresh cranberry recipes
- Cranberry Garlic Prime Rib
- Gluten Free Orange Cranberry Coffee Cake
- Cinnamon Orange Jellied Cranberry Sauce
More Christmas mocktails and cocktails
- Easy Sparkling Apple Cider Ice Cream Floats (alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions)
- Apple Moscow Mule Fall Cocktail
- Glühwein from Magnolia Days
- Rosemary Orange Punsch from Galactopdx
- Candy Cane Martini from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Chocolate Peppermint Eggnog from Daily Dish Recipes
- Cherry Bomb from Noshing with the Nolands
- Poinsettia Mimosas from Big Bear’s Wife
- Poinsettia Cocktails from The Catholic Foodie
- And even more Fun and Festive Fall Cocktails and Mocktails
Cranberry Sparkler Mocktail
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or to taste (see Note). You can also substitute honey or agave nectar
- Sparkling water or club soda (see Note)
- 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
Did you make this?
Leave a rating below and tag @cupcakekalechip on Instagram and hashtag it #cupcakesandkalechips
Enjoy!
This looks great. How many cocktails does this make?
Carolyn, the recipe as written makes 2 mocktails.
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.
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.
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 🙂
Looks and sounds so good! I love all of these festive drinks!
Thank you! Yes, it is fun to drink something holiday-ish!
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.
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.
Beautiful photos! I love cranberry anything!
I have really been into cranberry stuff lately, too!
Simply gorgeous! And I’m so impressed you made your own cranberry juice!!!!
Thank you! The fresh cranberries really give an amazing color!
Wonderful!
Thank you!
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!
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!
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!
This sounds so refreshin, I love the cranberry splash picture:)
Connie
Thanks so much!
Love y0ur drink and all the fun pictures!!!
Thanks! It was quite entertaining.
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 😉
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.
I love your action shots! And I bet this tastes so refreshing!
Thanks! But I was bouncing cranberries all over my kitchen 🙂
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!
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.
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.