This Sparkling Cranberry Lemon Mocktail welcomes the holidays. Full of bubbles and a hint of lemon and cranberry, this fun non-alcoholic drink recipe is sure to please all of your holiday guests.

non-alcoholic cranberry lemon drink

This post is sponsored by Sparkling ICE but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY DRINK RECIPE:

The holiday season is fast approaching and I am already dreaming about all of the delicious food and drinks to add to my entertaining menu. One thing I enjoy creating are special mocktails so all of my guests feel like they can be part of the festivities. Even the kiddos!

For this mocktail, I’m using an ingredient that screams celebration to me, bubbles! Sparkly, fizzy, festive bubbles! Sparkling Ice Classic Lemonade gives this drink a refreshing and crisp taste, while adding those wonderful bubbles. Have you tried Sparkling Ice? I’m obsessed! Sparkling Ice is a sparkling drink that comes in a variety of fun flavors to just drink alone or they work perfectly for mixing up festive cocktails and mocktails. It’s naturally flavored, has zero sugar, and is super tasty.

woman's hand holding Sparkling Ice Classic Lemonade bottle

Cranberries are also an ingredient that most people associate with the holidays. So, for this virgin drink idea, I start with fresh cranberry simple syrup and topped it off with Sparkling Ice Classic Lemonade. For a little extra sparkle, I garnished the drink with a skewer of sugared cranberries and a slice of lemon.

HOW TO MAKE A SPARKLING CRANBERRY LEMON MOCKTAIL:

This drink recipe is super easy! Begin by making the cranberry simple syrup. I used fresh cranberries, but if you have frozen cranberries on-hand, that works too. Place the cranberries, water and sugar in a small saucepan and start them simmering over low-medium heat.

fresh cranberries mixed with sugar and water in a saucepan

Once they get warm and soften, start mashing them with a fork or potato masher until they are broken into small bits. Continue to simmer for about 5 minutes.

woman's hand mashing cranberries in a saucepan

Strain the mixture to remove the bits of cranberry and refrigerate for about 30 minutes. Because of the extra refrigeration time and the extra time it takes to make the sugared cranberries, I always start this recipe the morning of or the night before I want to serve it.

straining cranberry syrup in a glass bowl

When you’re ready to enjoy your cocktail, spoon about 2 tablespoons of cranberry liquid mixture per glass (if using short 8-10 ounce glasses).

cranberry sugar syrup poured into cocktail glass

Next fill your glass with plenty of ice.

glass cocktail glass filled with ice and a white bowl of lemon slices on the side

Now for the show stopper – add Sparkling Ice Classic Lemonade to top each drink off

pouring Sparkling Ice Classic Lemonade into cocktail glass

Last, garnish each drink with lemon slices and sugared cranberries, if desired. Enjoy! You’ll find a detailed explanation of how to make the sugared cranberries by hopping over to my healthy pumpkin pie recipe.

Cranberry Lemon Cocktail served sugared cranberries and lemon slices

MAKE IT A COCKTAIL:

If you want these drinks to have a bit more of an adult kick, add a little vodka to each drink before topping it off with the Sparkling Ice.

This holiday mocktail recipe is for eight servings and you’re likely going to want more. Trust me… simply double, triple, or quadruple the amounts if you need more.

Enjoy!

Check out these other fun holiday mocktail recipes from some of my food blogger friends!

Christmas Mocktails from Lauren’s Latest

Sparkling Cranberry Kombucha Mocktail from The Real Food RDs

Sparkling Cranberry Pomegranate Drink from Chelsea’s Messy Apron

Find Sparkling Ice on Amazon where they can save up to 15% plus get free delivery with Subscribe & Save as a Prime member.

I’d love to know if you make this (or any) recipe! Tag @kimscravings on Instagram and be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.

woman's hand holding a cranberry cocktail

non-alcoholic cranberry lemon drink
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Sparkling Cranberry Lemon Mocktail

Yield: 8 drinks
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Refrigeration time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
This Sparkling Cranberry Lemon Mocktail welcomes the holidays. Full of bubbles and a hint of lemon and cranberry, this fun drink recipe is sure to please your holiday guests.
Author: Kim

Ingredients

  • 1 (8 oz - 10 oz) bag of frozen or fresh cranberries + more fresh cranberries if making sugared cranberries
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 4 (17 oz) Sparkling Ice Classic Lemonade drinks
  • Optional: sugared cranberries and lemon slices for serving

Instructions 

  • Add the cranberries to a small sauce pan along with the sugar and water. As you bring the ingredients to a simmer, begin mashing the cranberries with a fork or potato masher until broken down into small bits.
  • Continue to simmer over low-medium heat for about 5 minutes.
  • Strain the mixture with a very fine strainer to remove the bits of cranberry and refrigerate the liquid until cooled, about 30 minutes. I used the back of a spoon to press the cranberry mixture through the strainer.
  • Once cooled, spoon 2 tablespoons of the cranberry syrup for each glass. Fill with crushed or cubed ice.
  • Add Sparkling Ice Classic Lemonade in each glass until glass is full.
  • Garnish with lemon slices and sugared cranberries, if desired. Enjoy!

Notes

*Be sure to allow refrigeration time and if making sugar cranberries, be sure to read the recipe and allow extra time for those too.
Author: Kim
Course: Beverage
Cuisine: American
Serving: 1drink, Calories: 44kcal, Carbohydrates: 11.5g, Sodium: 0.1mg, Potassium: 35mg, Fiber: 1.8g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin C: 7.3mg, Calcium: 1mg

Did you make this recipe?

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