Cranberry Orange Mocktail (Festive & Alcohol-Free)

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Looking for a bubbly, beautiful drink that everyone can enjoy during the holidays? This cranberry orange mocktail is my absolute favorite!

It uses fresh cranberries (not juice!) for that real, tart flavor that makes your taste buds dance.

I first made this for my sister’s baby shower last winter when she couldn’t have alcohol. The bright red color was so pretty that now it’s our go-to party drink!

The best part? You can make most of it ahead of time so you’re not stuck in the kitchen when guests arrive.

Why You’ll Love Cranberry Orange Mocktail?

So easy to make – just simmer, strain, and add bubbles!
Perfect for holiday parties when you want something festive without alcohol
Uses fresh cranberries for amazing flavor (much better than store-bought juice)
Full of vitamin C to keep those winter sniffles away
Customizable sweetness – add more or less maple syrup to match your taste buds

Ingredients You’ll Need

Fresh cranberries: These tiny red jewels bring tartness and festive color. They’re in grocery stores from October through winter.
Fresh oranges: Sweet, juicy oranges balance the cranberry tartness. Navel oranges work great, but any kind will do!
Fresh ginger: Optional but amazing! Adds a warm zing that makes this drink special.
Maple syrup: Natural sweetener that blends perfectly with fruit flavors. Honey works too if you’re not keeping it vegan.
Sparkling water: Creates those fun, festive bubbles. Chill it well before using for the best fizz.
Ice cubes: Keep everything frosty and refreshing. Frozen cranberries work great as ice too!

Equipment You’ll Need

Small pot: For simmering those cranberries until they pop and release their juicy goodness.
Fine mesh strainer: Catches all the pulp and bits while letting the smooth syrup through.
Spoon: To squish those cranberries and help strain every last drop of flavor.
Bowl or jar: For catching and storing your beautiful cranberry-orange syrup.
Pretty glasses: I love wine tumbler glasses because drinks this pretty deserve a special showcase!

How to Make Cranberry Orange Mocktail?

This mocktail has two main parts – making the fruit syrup first, then adding bubbles when you’re ready to serve!

Step 1: Simmer the cranberries. Add cranberries, ginger slices, and water to a pot. Bring to a simmer until berries soften and start popping. Squish them with a spoon to release more juice.

Step 2: Strain the mixture. Pour everything through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl. Add fresh orange juice through the same strainer to help push cranberry flavors through.

Step 3: Sweeten the syrup. Stir in maple syrup to taste. Chill thoroughly in the fridge until cold – this is your mocktail base!

Step 4: Build your drink. Fill glasses with ice and frozen cranberries. Pour in 3-4 tablespoons of your chilled cranberry-orange syrup.

Step 5: Add the bubbles. Top with cold sparkling water, give a quick stir, and enjoy! Don’t add bubbles until serving, or your drink will go flat.

Tips for the Best Cranberry Orange Mocktail

Chill everything beforehand – warm syrup + room temperature sparkling water = lukewarm, sad mocktail.
Taste and adjust sweetness as you go. Fresh cranberries vary in tartness, so your syrup might need more or less maple syrup.
Use frozen cranberries as ice cubes! They look gorgeous and won’t water down your drink as they melt.
Make the syrup ahead of party time. I’ve made it up to 3 days in advance with perfect results.
Save some orange slices for garnish – the color contrast with the red drink is absolutely Instagram-worthy!

Variations and Substitutions

Add a cinnamon stick while simmering for a warm, spiced holiday flavor that reminds me of Christmas morning.
Try different sweeteners like honey, agave, or simple syrup if maple isn’t your thing or isn’t in your pantry.
Substitute blood oranges for regular oranges when in season for an even more dramatic color and slightly different flavor.
Add a splash of lime juice for extra zing – this brightens everything up beautifully.
Use flavored sparkling water like orange or berry to enhance the fruit flavors even more.

One Christmas, I accidentally grabbed blood oranges instead of regular ones, and wow! Everyone asked for the recipe!

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

Make the syrup up to 4 days ahead and store in an airtight container in the fridge – such a time-saver!
Freeze some cranberries the day before your gathering to use as pretty, functional ice cubes.
Pre-slice oranges for garnish and store in a container with a little water to keep them fresh.
Never add sparkling water until serving time or you’ll lose all those wonderful bubbles.
Leftover syrup freezes well in ice cube trays – pop a cube into regular water for a quick flavored drink later!

Common Questions

You can, but the flavor won’t be as bright and fresh. If using juice, make sure it’s 100% cranberry juice, not “cranberry cocktail” which has added sugar.

Multiply the syrup recipe by 4-5 and store in pitchers. When ready to serve, fill a punch bowl with syrup, frozen cranberries, and orange slices, and top with sparkling water.

Absolutely! Add a splash of bourbon to the adult glasses for a delicious twist. The warm notes of bourbon pair beautifully with cranberry and orange flavors. Check out this cranberry orange bourbon fizz recipe for inspiration!

It’s mildly sweet with a pleasant tartness. You control the sweetness by adjusting the maple syrup. Start with less – you can always add more!

Yes! Frozen cranberries work perfectly in this recipe. No need to thaw them first – just simmer a minute or two longer.