Description

A festive, alcohol-free mocktail made with unsweetened cranberry juice, fresh orange juice and zest, and sparkling water. It is bright, effervescent, and ready in just five minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup (240ml) unsweetened cranberry juice
2 medium fresh oranges (for juice and zest)
1–2 cups (240-480ml) plain sparkling water
2–3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
Ice cubes
2–3 thin orange slices for garnish
1 tablespoon fresh or frozen cranberries for garnish
Optional: Fresh rosemary sprig, star anise pod, or ginger syrup

Instructions

Wash oranges thoroughly. Zest both oranges using a microplane or zester, avoiding the white pith.
Cut oranges in half and juice them to yield fresh orange juice.
In a medium pitcher or large glass, combine the fresh orange juice and unsweetened cranberry juice.
Add honey or maple syrup. If using honey, warm it slightly to help it dissolve, then whisk until fully dissolved.
Taste the mixture and adjust sweetness or tartness as desired.
Chill the base in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes or add ice to chill quickly, then strain if desired.
Fill highball glasses with ice cubes.
Pour the cranberry-orange base over the ice, filling each glass about halfway.
Slowly pour sparkling water over the back of a spoon to preserve bubbles, filling the glass to the top.
Garnish with an orange slice, fresh cranberries, and optional herbs like rosemary.
Serve immediately.

Notes

Use cold ingredients for the best flavor and carbonation. Do not stir vigorously after adding sparkling water to keep the bubbles. The base (juice and sweetener) can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the fridge; add sparkling water just before serving.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Beverages
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 glass
Calories: 85
Sugar: 18
Sodium: 5
Carbohydrates: 20
Fiber: 1
Protein: 1

Keywords: mocktail, cranberry orange, sparkling drink, alcohol-free, holiday drinks, easy recipes, 5-minute recipes, non-alcoholic cocktails