Featuring cranberry juice, rosemary simple syrup, and club soda, this simple mocktail is perfect for holiday gatherings. It comes together in under half an hour—and most of the time is hands-off!
Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Mocktail
- It’s festive with minimal effort. With just a quick rosemary syrup and a splash of cranberry juice, you get a drink that looks impressive but comes together in minutes.
- Perfect for everyone at the table. Kids and adults love its tart-sweet balance, and it’s a beautiful non-alcoholic option for holiday gatherings.
- Bright, refreshing flavor. The combination of pure cranberry juice, fragrant rosemary, and bubbly club soda makes every sip feel celebratory and light.
This Cranberry Rosemary Mocktail is the ultimate non-alcoholic sipper for autumn into winter. The red hue from tart, unsweetened cranberry juice contrasts with a pop of green from the lime wedges, making for a festive, fizzy, and not-too-sweet sip.
It gets its sweetness and herbaceous flavor from homemade rosemary simple syrup, which is super easy to make. Serve this mocktail over ice with a small handful of frozen cranberries to hint at its flavor profile.
How to Make A Mocktail
You don’t need any fancy equipment to make this holiday mocktail. Just a small saucepan, a fine mesh sieve, and a large stirring spoon are all it takes to bring this sipper to life.
- Make the Rosemary Simple Syrup. In a small saucepan set over medium-low heat, whisk together 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup water. Add 3 sprigs fresh rosemary and bring to a simmer, whisking often to prevent the sugar from burning, about 5 minutes.
- Steep and strain the syrup. Once simmering, remove from the heat, cover, and cool for 10 minutes. Strain and chill.
- Mix the cranberry mocktails. Fill 4 highball glasses with ice. Add 2 tablespoons of cold rosemary simple syrup to each glass. Divide 1 cup chilled pure, unsweetened cranberry juice between each glass. Top each one with 1 cup club soda. Add about 1 tablespoon fresh or frozen cranberries to each glass and stir until combined. Garnish with lime wedge or wheel and/or a fresh rosemary sprig and serve.
To Make a Single Mocktail
- Make the full amount of rosemary syrup as instructed above; it will keep well for at least a month in the fridge!
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Add 2 tablespoons of cold rosemary simple syrup to each glass.
- Add 1/4 cup chilled pure, unsweetened cranberry juice.
- Top with 1 cup club soda and gently stir to combine.
Choose the Right Cranberry Juice
The sweetness from the simple syrup and effervescence from the sparkling water in this recipe balance the tart, unsweetened cranberry juice. Some shops also carry unsweetened cranberry juice concentrate you can dilute according to the package instructions. Use pure cranberry juice versus cranberry juice cocktail, which has added sweeteners.
Make it Your Own
Play around with this Christmas-hued mocktail based on what other ingredients you have on hand.
- Swap out the cranberry juice and frozen cranberries for tart cherry juice and frozen cherries or try pomegranate with pomegranate seeds.
- For the garnish, you can omit the lime wedge and add a sprig of rosemary to the glass instead.
- Although this is a non-alcoholic drink, you could add an ounce of vodka to each glass for anyone who wants a traditional cocktail.
What to Serve With Cranberry Rosemary Mocktails
From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, this sparkling mocktail deserves to make an appearance at your gatherings. Serve it alongside a standout main course such as this Beef Tenderloin and Italian Green Beans (Fagiolini alla Genovese) for your holiday meal.
Hosting a New Year’s Eve bash? Let your guests sip on this mocktail while snacking on small savory bites such as Pissaladière (French onion, anchovy, and olive tart), Raw Oysters with Mignonette Sauce, and Prosciutto Wrapped Figs with Goat Cheese, Honey, and Thyme.
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Cranberry Rosemary Mocktail
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Ingredients
For the Rosemary Simple Syrup
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
For the Mocktails
- Ice
- 1 cup unsweetened cranberry juice, chilled
- 4 cups sparkling water, chilled
- 4 tablespoons fresh or frozen cranberries for garnish
- Lime wedges and/or rosemary sprigs, for garnish
Instructions
-
Make the Rosemary Simple Syrup. In a small saucepan set over medium-low heat, whisk together the sugar and water. Add the rosemary and bring to a simmer, whisking often to prevent the sugar from burning, about 5 minutes.
-
Steep and strain the syrup. Once simmering, remove from the heat, cover, and cool for 10 minutes. Strain and chill.
-
Mix the cranberry mocktails. Fill 4 highball glasses with ice. Add 2 tablespoons of rosemary simple syrup to each glass. Divide the cranberry juice between each glass. Top with club soda. Add about 1 tablespoon frozen cranberries to each glass and stir until combined. Garnish with lime wedge and serve.
Notes
- Visit our shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients, including olive oils, honey, jams, and spices.
- To Make a Single Cranberry Mocktail: Make the full amount of rosemary syrup as instructed above; it will keep well for at least a month in the fridge! Fill a highball glasses with ice. Add 2 tablespoons of cold rosemary simple syrup to each glass. Add 1/4 cup chilled pure, unsweetened cranberry juice. Top with 1 cup club soda and gently stir to combine.
- Choose the Right Cranberry Juice: The sweetness from the simple syrup and effervescence from the sparkling water in this recipe balances the tart, unsweetened cranberry juice. Be sure to use pure cranberry juice versus cranberry juice cocktail, which is a watered down version that has added sweeteners and flavors.
Nutrition
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