Light, refreshing, festive, and fun, this Cranberry Mocktail is suitable for all of the guests at your holiday gathering. With a combination of cranberry and pomegranate juice, club soda, and a hint of lime, these mocktails are garnished with fresh mint. They’re simply delicious!
This cranberry mocktail is like Christmas in a cup! It’s so light and refreshing, yet festive and beautiful at the same time.
This drink is always a hit at any holiday party or Thanksgiving gathering! It’s not too sweet, not too tart, but just the perfect combination of bubbly and fun!
I love mocktails because everyone can enjoy them, the kids, adults, and your friends and family that refrain from alcohol. If you’re looking for a summer drink, try my watermelon mocktail!
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💗 Why You’ll Love these Cranberry Mocktails
- Light and refreshing
- Low Calorie (only 53 calories per serving!)
- Suitable for kids and adults.
- Makes a beautiful and festive punch for your holiday gathering.
- Simple and quick to make!
🥣 Ingredients and Notes
For the Drink:
- Cranberry Pomegranate Juice-I used the Ocean Spray Cranberry Pomegranate Juice, however, if you can’t find this you can either use a combination of cranberry juice and pomegranate juice, or just stick with cranberry juice!
- Club Soda gives this drink some carbonation, and balances out the sweetness of the juice.
- Lime Juice-I use fresh limes. You’ll need about 3 limes to get enough juice, and 1 additional lime to use as a garnish for your drinks.
Garnishes:
- Mint Leaves these add a minty fresh flavor to this mocktail, and also make a beautiful and festive garnish with the combination of green and red!
- Lime, use one lime cut into wedges or disks.
- Pomegranate Seeds to sprinkle on top of each drink.
- Fresh or frozen cranberries to add to the top of the drink and pitcher for added festive flare!
📋 How to Make a Cranberry Mocktail – Step by Step
Step 1: Add cranberry and pomegranate juice to a pitcher. Add club soda. Stir to combine.
Step 2: Squeeze the juice of three limes Add the juice to the pitcher. Stir to combine.
Step 3: Add 2-3 cups of ice, fresh cranberries, pomegranate seeds, and mint leaves. Stir to combine.
Step 4: Fill individual cups with ice. Pour in mocktail. Top with a few fresh cranberries, pomegranate seeds, a slice of lime, and a sprig of mint. Enjoy!
💭 Expert Tips
- Use fresh cranberries and pomegranate seeds to add that gorgeous festive feel to each drink.
- Be sure to use club soda, not tonic water. Tonic water has added sugar, and there is no need for added sugar since you’re using juice.
- Prepare the pitcher just before you’re ready to serve, and add the ice at the last minute. The ice will melt and water down the drink. Or add the ice to each cup as you make so that it doesn’t become too watered down.
- Use fresh lime juice, using a juicer will help you get all of the juice out of each lime.
👩🏻🍳 Variations and Substitutions
- Can’t find cranberry pomegranate juice? Use a combination of cranberry and pomegranate juice. I suggest 2 cups of cranberry and 1 cup of pomegranante.
- No limes? Use freshly squeezed orange juice instead. It will add a bit more sweetness instead of the tartness of lime, but cranberries and oranges make the perfect pair!
- Play around with your own favorite garnishes. I choose a fresh mint sprig to add a touch of green, but you could add a sprig of thyme or even rosemary for a slightly herbal flavor!
❓ Recipe FAQs
Cranberries on their own are quite tart, similar to limes. When you buy Cranberry Juice that says it is 100% juice, it is typically combined with the juice of other fruit such as apple, grape of cherry.
However, if you purchase cranberry juice that does not claim it’s 100% juice, it is likely combined with corn syrup to make it sweet. This is usually called Cranberry Cocktail.
I recommend using either 100% cranberry juice, although it is most likely combined with other juices, but the sugars are natural, whereas the sugars in cranberry cocktail are not.
A mocktail is a visually pleasing non-alcoholic drink. They were created as an alternative to the typical cocktail for parties, so that they would suitable for everyone to drink and enjoy.
Fill a cup with ice. I used stemless wineglasses, but you could also serve this in a high ball glass. Garnish with the suggested lime, mint, cranberry, and pomegranate seeds, or get creative!
It’s better to make this drink just before you’re ready to serve because it is made with club soda. If you have leftovers store in the refrigerator. You can transfer your pitcher directly to the refrigerator and cover with saran wrap to keep it fresh. Since this drink is carbonated it will lose some of its fizz after a few hours. It is best to enjoy this drink right away, but it will keep for 1-2 days in the refrigerator, it just won’t be as fizzy! Be sure to store it without the added ice so it doesn’t get watered down.
😋 More Holiday Drinks!
Please comment below if you found this article helpful or have any additional questions. You can also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more family-friendly vegan recipes!
Recipe
Cranberry Mocktail
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 cups cranberry pomegranate juice or 2 cups cranberry and 1 cup of pomegranate juice
- 6 cups club soda
- ½ cup lime juice or the juice of 4 limes
- ¼ cup mint leaves
Garnishes
- ¼ cup cranberries fresh or frozen
- ¼ cup pomegranate seeds or 1 pomegranate
- 1 lime sliced into wedges
- 8 sprigs of mint
Instructions
- Add cranberry and pomegranate juice to a pitcher. Add club soda. Stir to combine.
- Squeeze the juice of three limes. Add the lime juice to the pitcher. Stir to combine.
- Add 2-3 cups of ice, fresh cranberries, pomegranate seeds, and mint leaves. Stir to combine.
- Fill individual cups with ice. Pour in mocktail. Top with a few fresh cranberries, pomegranate seeds, wedge of lime, and a sprig of mint. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Use fresh cranberries and pomegranates to add that gorgeous festive feel to each drink.
- Be sure to use club soda, not tonic water. Tonic water has added sugar, and there is no need for added sugar since you’re using juice.
- Prepare the pitcher just before you’re ready to serve, and add the ice at the last minute. The ice will melt and water down the drink. Or add the ice to each serving so it doesn’t become watered down.
- Use fresh lime juice, using a juicer will help you get all of the juice out of each lime.
- It’s best to make this recipe just before you’re ready to serve. However, it will keep for 1-2 days in the refrigerator, it just won’t be as fizzy! Be sure to store it without the added ice so it doesn’t get watered down.
Chelsea
I can’t wait to get my hands on this drink! I might be adding a shot or two of vodka as well, please don’t tell 😉
This recipe looks fantastic!
Tisha
Pass me the pitcher it’s been a long day!!! This is a great combo of ingredients and a fruity cocktail!
Lisa Huff
Loving the bright color of this Cranberry Mocktail! Such a beautiful drink for the holidays.
Jacqueline Meldrum
Those look lush! I wouldn’t mind one or two of those right now.
Katie
Looks so delicious and fun! My family would love this.