Cranberry Orange Mocktail
This festive, bubbly cranberry orange mocktail uses fresh cranberries for authentic flavor. Perfect for holiday gatherings, the syrup can be made ahead and combined with sparkling water just before serving.
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 cup water
- 2 large oranges juiced (about 3/4 cup juice)
- 2- inch piece fresh ginger peeled and sliced (optional)
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup adjust to taste
- 2 cups sparkling water chilled
- Ice cubes
- Extra fresh cranberries and orange slices for garnish
Instructions
- Simmer cranberries with ginger. Combine cranberries, water, and ginger slices in a small pot. Bring to a simmer for 7-10 minutes.
- Crush the berries. Use the back of a spoon to mash cranberries as they soften, helping release their juice.
- Strain the mixture. Pour through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl, then add fresh orange juice through the same strainer.
- Press to extract juice. Use a spoon to press on solids, extracting every bit of flavor from the cranberries and ginger.
- Add sweetener. Stir maple syrup into the warm liquid until dissolved completely.
- Chill thoroughly. Cover the syrup and refrigerate until cold, at least 1 hour or up to 4 days.
- Build each drink. Add ice and a few fresh cranberries to glasses, then pour in 3-4 tablespoons of syrup.
- Top with bubbles. Fill each glass with chilled sparkling water, stir gently, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Fresh cranberries can be frozen ahead of time to use as ice cubes in the finished drinks.
- The syrup keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
- Adjust sweetness to taste since cranberries can vary in tartness from batch to batch.
- Don't mix sparkling water with the syrup until ready to serve to maintain the fizz.
- For a party punch, multiply the recipe by 4-5 and serve in a large bowl with frozen cranberries.