Cranberry Mocktail is a refreshing non-alcoholic drink. It will be an instant hit at your holiday parties. The drink has tangy notes from cranberry juice with a strong kick from the ginger beer. Apple Cider sweetens this mocktail and brings in the true holiday spirit. Both adults and kids alike will enjoy this drink and it is easily customizable to suit everyone’s tastes. Be ready to refill the glasses at your next holiday party!

The holiday season is synonymous with parties and family gatherings. As a host, you’ll have to cater to guests of all ages and drink preferences. It’s always a good idea to have some mocktail recipes up your sleeve.

Check out my other Holiday recipes

Caramel Apple Dip with Cream Cheese

Almond Butter Brownies

What is a Mocktail?

Mocktail is a non-alcoholic drink that mimics a ‘Cocktail’. It has all the flavors and façade of a cocktail drink, sans the alcohol. Alcohol enthusiasts might spurn mocktails, but they are amazing for non-drinkers and kids.

I don’t drink and I’m not a huge fan of just soda or plain juices at parties. I stick to water instead. Mocktails changed the drinking game for me at parties. I always try to come up with a good one for the parties I host.

Why you will love this Cranberry mocktail ?

It tastes refreshing with a kick from the ginger
It is very easy to make at the time of the party or even in advance
It can easily be customized
Kids can also enjoy it with a splash more of Apple cider or Apple juice
It is not overly sweet like sodas

Ingredients for Cranberry Mocktail

Cranberry juice

You must use Cranberry juice with no added sugar, like the one below. Most cranberry juices in the market have apple juice and/or grape juice added to them to cut the tartness of pure cranberry juice. Don’t use 100% pure cranberry juice for this recipe, as it will be extremely tart and throw the flavors off balance.

Apple Cider

Apple Cider sweetens this mocktail ever so subtly. I got mine from a local farm when I went Apple picking. You can use any brand of Apple Cider. If you’re serving this to kids, replace Apple cider with Apple juice for more sweetness.

Ginger Beer

Use a non-alcoholic Ginger Beer like the one below. Ginger Beer has a strong and refreshing ginger taste. If you want it to be sweeter with less ginger flavor, replace Ginger Beer with Ginger Ale.

What’s the difference between Apple juice and Apple Cider?

Apple Cider is unfiltered and unpasteurized apple juice. It’s made from apples and not from concentrate.
Apple juice on the other hand is mostly made from concentrate and is sweeter

What’s the difference between Ginger Beer and Ginger Ale?

Ginger Beer has a strong flavor of Ginger. In most Ginger Beers, real ginger is used to flavor the drink. It’s usually brewed or fermented and is not very sweet. There are alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions of Ginger Beer. However, most Ginger Beers in the market today are non-alcoholic. Check the ingredients before buying.
Ginger Ale is basically ginger-flavored soda with artificial flavors. It is very sweet, like any soda drink.

Now that you know the difference, choose the drink of your choice to flavor your mocktail. If you prefer it sweeter, replace Apple Cider with Apple juice and Ginger Beer with Ginger Ale. Although, I must warn you that the flavors will be mellower if you do that.

Cranberry Mocktail: Step-By-Step Method

Take an 8 oz glass and add some ice cubes to it.

Add 2.5 oz of Cranberry juice.

Next, add 2.5 oz of Apple Cider.

Finally, add 2 oz of Ginger Beer. Make sure that you add Ginger Beer at the time of serving.

Garnish it with some fresh or frozen cranberries and mint leaves.

Enjoy your Holiday drink!

Can I make Cranberry Mocktail ahead of time?

Yes, you can mix the Cranberry juice and Apple Cider well ahead of time and have them refrigerated. You can pour the Cranberry Apple Cider mixture in all the glasses and set he table. Add Ginger beer just before your guests start arriving. That way, your drink will retain the fizz and freshness.