5-Minute Cranberry Mocktail Recipe
Primal Edge Health participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate programs and therefore, may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. This comes at no additional cost to you, and all the prices and availability are accurate at the time of publishing.
This cranberry mocktail is about to be your new go-to if you love drinks that taste as good as they look. It’s refreshingly tart, lightly sweet, and sparkles with a festive flair that every holiday table needs. This doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it on regular days, though, because it’s weeknight-easy and takes just 5 minutes to make.
Since you all loved the blueberry mocktail I shared recently, I am confident that you’ll enjoy this cranberry lime mocktail, too! With its bright, tangy-sweet flavor and fizzy finish, it makes a great refresher on busy days and ideal to serve to guests who prefer non-alcoholic drinks. Serve it at brunch, during the holidays, or anytime you need a festive pick-me-up. Best of all, it takes almost no effort – just mix, garnish, and enjoy.
Why My Recipe Works
- Just 4 ingredients (plus ice and optional garnishes)
- Kid-friendly: It’s non-alcoholic, so everyone from kids to adults can enjoy it.
- Great for all occasions
- Make-ahead friendly
How to Make Cranberry Mocktail
You only need a handful of simple ingredients and a few minutes to whip this mocktail together. Just mix the base, add something sparkling, and garnish for a drink that’s as easy to make as it is refreshing to sip.
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients You Need
- Cranberry juice: Choose a juice brand that offers 100% juice. They’re less sweet, provide a brighter color, and you can sweeten your drink to taste if needed.
- Carbonated water: Either club soda or sparkling water works great.
- Simple syrup: Use either store-bought or homemade. My sugar-free simple syrup uses only 3 ingredients!
- Lime juice: I juice 1 to 2 fresh limes.
- Ice cubes
- Fresh cranberries: Optional, for garnish
- Fresh mint leaves: Optional, for garnish
Step-By-Step Instructions
Let’s make cranberry mocktail aka cranberry lime spritzer! This recipe is as easy as mix, add carbonation, garnish, and serve. Follow the instructions below and you can’t go wrong.
Step 1: Prep your glasses
Prepare the glasses by filling each glass halfway with ice cubes.
Step 2: Make the base
Mix the base in a pitcher by stirring together the cranberry juice, lime juice, and simple syrup until well combined.
Step 3: Add carbonation
Just before serving, pour in the carbonated water and gently stir to keep the bubbles fresh.
Step 4: Garnish and serve
Divide the mocktail between the glasses. Garnish with lime slices, fresh cranberries, and mint sprigs. Serve immediately while chilled and fizzy.
Substitutions
- Simple syrup: You can replace it with honey syrup, agave nectar, or even maple syrup for a subtle flavor twist.
- Lime juice: If you don’t have lime, fresh lemon juice works beautifully too.
- Fresh cranberries: If they’re out of season, you can use frozen cranberries or even pomegranate arils for a similar effect.
- Fresh mint leaves: Not a fan of mint? Try a sprig of rosemary for a more wintery feel.
Expert Tips
- Use fresh, ripe berries: Fresh, ripe cranberries add a naturally vibrant color and a subtle burst of tartness that enhances the drink’s flavor. If using frozen cranberries, give them a quick rinse before adding so they don’t cloud the drink.
- Chill everything first: Cold juice, syrup, and sparkling water help the bubbles last longer and keep your drink crisp without needing tons of ice.
- Adjust sweetness: Cranberry juice can vary in tartness; start with less syrup and taste before adding more.
- Dress it up for the season: Make it holiday-worthy by adding a sugar or salt rim, tying a small ribbon around the glass stem, or garnishing with a sprig of rosemary and a few floating cranberries for a “cranberry wreath” look.
- Make it ahead smartly: Mix the juices and syrup in advance, refrigerate, and top with sparkling water and ice only when ready to serve.
How to Serve Cranberry Mocktail
Serve your cranberry mocktail ice-cold in a clear glass to show off its stunning red color and sparkling bubbles. For pairings, this mocktail shines alongside savory appetizers like bacon-wrapped asparagus, cucumber roll-ups, and stuffed mushrooms.
It also complements holiday mains such as turkey, stuffing, glazed ham, or cheese boards. For a sweet finish, try it with spiced desserts like apple pie, gingerbread cookies, or cinnamon coffee cake.
More Easy Drinks To Try
Cranberry Lime Mocktail (5-Minute Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 cup cranberry juice
- ½ cup carbonated water such as club soda or sparkling water
- ¼ cup simple syrup adjust to taste
- 1–2 whole limes juiced, plus extra slices for garnish
- cubes ice
- fresh cranberries for garnish (optional
- fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the glasses by filling each glass halfway with ice cubes.
- Mix the base in a pitcher by stirring together the cranberry juice, lime juice, and simple syrup until well combined.
- Just before serving, pour in the carbonated water and gently stir to keep the bubbles fresh.
- Divide the mocktail between the glasses. Garnish with lime slices, fresh cranberries, and mint sprigs. Serve immediately while chilled and fizzy.
Notes
- Use fresh, ripe berries for a naturally vibrant color and a subtle burst of tartness that enhances the drink’s flavor. If using frozen cranberries, give them a quick rinse before adding so they don’t cloud the drink.
- Chill everything first. Cold juice, syrup, and sparkling water help the bubbles last longer and keep your drink crisp without needing tons of ice.
- Cranberry juice can vary in tartness; start with less syrup and taste before adding more.
- Make it holiday-worthy by adding a sugar or salt rim, tying a small ribbon around the glass stem, or garnishing with a sprig of rosemary and a few floating cranberries for a “cranberry wreath” look.
- Mix the juices and syrup ahead of time, refrigerate, and top with sparkling water and ice only when ready to serve.
Nutrition & Macros
To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, please calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients and amounts used, using your preferred nutrition calculator. Under no circumstances shall the this website and the author be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on the given nutritional information.
