Bright, tart and refreshing, the Cranberry Orange Mocktail brings the bubbles to ward off winter’s chill. Citrus and ginger are a match made in colorful sipper heaven!
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About this Cranberry Orange Mocktail recipe
Cranberries are ever-popular during the holidays. It’s easy to see why, with their bright flavor plus a festive ruby color they lend to drinks, not to mention the sparkle that sugared cranberries offer to any drink they decorate.
But don’t pack the flavor away with the decorations! Plenty of drinks, like the classic Cape Codder, are year-round favorites. This Cranberry Orange Mocktail is ready to join that list! Sweet citrus and gentle ginger spice balance the tart cranberry juice in this bubbly beverage.
No booze here, so the depth of flavor comes from the different juices and ginger beer. It’d be perfect for a weekend brunch (it’s basically a virgin mimosa with cranberry) or for cheering on your favorite team on game day (bonus points if their team colors match the red and orange hue).
More mocktail recipes: Cranberry Lime Mocktail • Cherry Mocktail • Cucumber Mocktail
Why you’ll love this recipe
- It’s simple to make. With just a handful of ingredients, you’ll be ready to enjoy in minutes.
- Perfect for any occasion. From brunch to happy hour to game day, this drink is able to be enjoyed by all.
- Feels fancy without the booze. With plenty of flavor and a touch of bubbles, dress this drink up or down.
Tools & glassware
If you already have a bar set, you’re ready to mix this drink. Grab a bar spoon and you’ve got everything you need!
Unlike something that has a particular glass designed for the drink itself, like a martini, you can use any type of glass for this mocktail. If you’re serving for a special occasion, lean into the glassware (like tiki mugs for a tiki party), otherwise, something simple works well.
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Ingredients
For any drink that involves juices, you’ll want to pay attention to the labels. 100% juice gives you the best flavor and cuts back on the sweetness that something like juice cocktail gives your drink — look for 100% cranberry juice and orange juice when you’re picking up your ingredients.
Ginger beer is what gives your drink a bit of spice and a bunch of bubbles. Not all ginger beer is created equal, so you’ll want to do your due diligence on which one you’re using. Some are spicy, some are sweet, but all are delicious!
👇 For full measurements and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to the printable recipe card. It’s all there waiting for you!
Substitutions & variations
Like with any drink, you can start with the recipe and make adjustments based on your preferences or what you have on-hand. If you need a starting point, here’s what I would try:
- Swap orange juice for pineapple juice or blood orange juice for a slightly different citrus note.
- Use ginger ale instead of ginger beer for a more mild, sweeter drink.
- White cranberry juice works for a lighter color and softer tartness.
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Instructions
It’s easier than you think to craft this colorful Cranberry Orange Mocktail! You can mix it right in the glass — no cocktail shaker * required.
First, fill your glass with ice. (I used a rocks glass). Then, pour in your cranberry and orange juices.
Top the juices with ginger beer and gently stir once or twice to combine using a bar spoon *. Add your garnish and enjoy!
Tips & tricks
- Too much cranberry juice can overpower the rest of the drink. Be sure to measure out the correct ratios.
- Simple syrup is an easy way to adjust the sweetness without changing the flavor of the mocktail.
- Using chilled juices helps preserve carbonation.
Serving suggestions
When it comes to decorating your drink, use some fresh cranberries, an orange round (try a dehydrated one if you’re feeling fancy) and an herb sprig like rosemary as a garnish.
If you’re making this drink ahead of time, mix your juices and refrigerate them. When you’re ready to serve, fill glasses about halfway, and add the ginger beer so that it’s bubbly. You can make a larger batch by multiplying the quantities and following the same steps!
This drink is very similar to the Madras cocktail, so you could set up a drink station with vodka for serving that allows guests to choose if they’d like to add booze or stick with non-alcoholic drinks.
Since this drink is a mix of tart and sweet flavors, it would go well with something salty and savory to balance it out. Something like popcorn or cheese straws would be easy for snacking or pizza pinwheels for more of a meal.
FAQ
This mocktail is best enjoyed fresh. If needed, you can mix the cranberry and orange juices up to 24 hours ahead and store them in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Add ginger beer and ice just before serving to keep it fizzy.
Yes. Multiply the cranberry and orange juice quantities and mix them in a pitcher. Chill, then top each glass with ginger beer and ice when serving.
For a less tart drink, add a splash of simple syrup or honey syrup. For more bite, use a spicier ginger beer or add a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
More cranberry recipes
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Cranberry Orange Mocktail
ingredients
- 3 ounces cranberry juice
- 2 ounces orange juice
- 4 ounces ginger beer
- ice
- 3-4 whole, fresh cranberries for garnish
- 1 slice orange for garnish
- 1 sprig rosemary for garnish
instructions
- To a rocks glass * filled with ice, pour in cranberry juice and orange juice.3 ounces cranberry juice, 2 ounces orange juice, ice
- Top with ginger beer.4 ounces ginger beer
- Gently stir once or twice to combine.
- Garnish with fresh cranberries, an orange slice and a sprig of rosemary, if desired, and serve immediately.3-4 whole, fresh cranberries, 1 slice orange, 1 sprig rosemary
notes
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