Sparkling Cranberry Lemon Mocktail
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Next fill your glass with plenty of ice.
Now for the show stopper – add Sparkling Ice Classic Lemonade to top each drink off
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.
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.
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Sparkling Cranberry Lemon Mocktail
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
Did you make this recipe?
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Gorgeous looking mocktail! It sounds so delicious too! Perfect to enjoy at any time of the year!
Classic drink that everyone loves and ICE has pretty good flavor love easy hassle free recipes like this one.
Looks amazing and love the layered effect!
This mocktail sounds really tasty and refreshing! I love drinks with cranberries although I might be tempted to add vodka as you suggest!
This is so fun! I love fun non alcoholic drinks for the holidays. It definitely makes everyone at a party feel more comfortable when there’s a drink that’s just as fun for people who don’t drink or the DDs!
Never tried Sparkling Ice drink before but need to check it out! I love cranberries so count me in for this one!
These are so beautifully festive! Can’t wait to add it to our thanksgiving menu!
Oh yes, this looks like the perfect holiday drink for the whole family!
This is such a pretty cocktail! So festive and fun!
This is so pretty and looks so incredibly festive!
Love this! It’s great, because I don’t drink but love to have neat drinks to make!
This is so pretty! I love your flavor combo! Cranberry is one of the best drinks in the Fall!
Oh isn’t that a beautiful drink! So festive and ready to celebrate.
What a great recipe! Love the fact that you can easily make it with or without alcohol.
I love cranberries and finding new ways to use them over the festive period! Great recipe!