You know what? I’m totally obsessed with this Cranberry Mojito Mocktail! Every time I make it, people go crazy for it.

The best part? It’s got that classic mojito vibe with fresh mint, but then you add cranberry juice and boom—it turns this gorgeous ruby red color.

I started making it for my niece’s birthday party since she couldn’t have regular mojitos, and honestly, now I prefer this version!

The mint smells amazing, the cranberry gives it a little zing, and those bubbles? Pure happiness in a glass. Trust me, you don’t need booze to make something that tastes this good.

Ingredients You’ll Need

So here’s the deal—you need really good, fresh stuff to make this taste incredible. Check out the recipe card down below for exact amounts, okay?

Fresh Mint Leaves: This is what makes it smell and taste like a real mojito. So refreshing!
Cranberry Juice: Gives you that pretty red color and a nice tart kick of flavor.
Fresh Lime: You need this for that zingy, bright taste that wakes everything up.
Simple Syrup: Just sugar water, really. It balances out the sour cranberry perfectly.
Club Soda: The bubbles! This makes your drink fizzy and light and super drinkable.
Fresh Cranberries: Totally optional, but they look so cute floating on top for special occasions.

How to Make Cranberry Mojito Mocktail

Alright, so making this is super easy. You’ll have it ready before your favorite song even finishes!

Step 1: Muddle the Mint. Throw 10-12 mint leaves and 1 tablespoon simple syrup in your glass. Press gently with your muddler for about 15 seconds—don’t go crazy here!

Step 2: Add Lime Juice. Squeeze 1 fresh lime (that’s about 2 tablespoons of juice) right into the glass. Give it a quick stir with your mint and syrup.

Step 3: Fill with Ice. Grab 1 cup of ice cubes and fill up your glass most of the way. This keeps everything nice and cold while you drink it.

Step 4: Pour Cranberry Juice. Now pour in 4 ounces of cranberry juice. Watch how it swirls around with the lime and mint—it’s so pretty!

Step 5: Top with Club Soda. Add 3 ounces of club soda to fill it up. See all those bubbles? That’s what makes this drink so refreshing and fun.

Step 6: Stir and Garnish. Give it a gentle stir for just 5 seconds. Then add some mint sprigs, lime slices, and cranberries on top to make it look fancy!

Tips for the Best Cranberry Mojito Mocktail

Muddle Gently: Here’s the thing—if you smash the mint too hard, it gets bitter and gross. Just press it softly to get the good stuff out.
Use Quality Cranberry Juice: Look for 100% real juice, not that fake sugary stuff. It makes such a huge difference in how it tastes, I promise.
Adjust Sweetness: Some cranberry juices are way more sour than others. Taste it first, then add more syrup if you need to. Easy fix!
Serve Immediately: The bubbles disappear fast, so make these one at a time right before people drink them. Otherwise, they go flat and sad.
Chill Your Glass: Pop your glass in the freezer for 10 minutes first. Cold glass plus cold drink? Chef’s kiss! Stays icy way longer.

Variations and Substitutions

Want to mix things up? I love playing around with this recipe depending on what I’m in the mood for!

Pomegranate Twist: Swap the cranberry for pomegranate juice instead. It’s a little sweeter and tastes amazing—plus it’s still that pretty deep red.
Frozen Version: Throw everything in the blender with 2 cups of ice. Now you’ve got a slushy! Perfect for pool parties and hot days.
Honey Sweetener: Use honey instead of simple syrup for something more natural. It adds this subtle flowery taste that’s really nice with mint.
Ginger Kick: Replace some club soda with ginger beer. Adds a spicy little punch that totally changes the whole vibe in a good way.
Berry Medley: Mix cranberry with raspberry or blueberry juice. More berries equals more flavor, and you can’t really go wrong with that combo.

FAQs

Can I Make This Mocktail Ahead of Time?

You can mix the mint, lime, and syrup up to 2 hours early and keep it cold. Just add the juice, ice, and bubbles right before serving.

Can I Use Dried Mint Instead of Fresh?

Nope, sorry! You really need fresh mint here. Dried stuff just doesn’t have that bright, fresh smell and taste that makes mojitos so good.

Is This Mocktail Kid-Friendly?

Absolutely! There’s zero alcohol in this, so everyone can enjoy it. My kids love feeling fancy drinking something that looks this cool and grown-up.

What’s the Best Cranberry Juice to Use?

Go for 100% cranberry juice or the cranberry-apple blend. Skip the “cranberry cocktail” stuff with corn syrup—it’s way too sweet and tastes fake.

Can I Make a Large Batch for Parties?

Mix the mint, lime, syrup, and cranberry juice in a big pitcher. Then let people add their own ice and club soda so it stays fizzy.

How Can I Make This Sugar-Free?

Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of simple syrup. Get unsweetened cranberry juice too—just be warned, it’s pretty tart on its own!

What Other Garnishes Work Well?

Try rosemary, sugared cranberries, lime zest, or even edible flowers if you’re feeling fancy. Makes it Instagram-worthy for sure! Can you imagine how pretty that looks?