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Cranberry and Orange Mocktail

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This festive cranberry and orange mocktail is a sparkling, non-alcoholic drink perfect for Thanksgiving or any holiday gathering. With tart cranberry, sweet orange, and a touch of maple syrup, it’s a crowd-pleaser for all ages.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (8 oz) cranberry juice (unsweetened or 100% juice preferred)
  • 1 cup (8 oz) fresh orange juice (about 2 large oranges, freshly squeezed)
  • 1–2 tablespoons maple syrup (to taste; honey or agave can be substituted)
  • 2 cups (16 oz) sparkling water or club soda, chilled
  • Ice cubes (as needed)
  • Fresh cranberries (a handful, for garnish)
  • 1–2 oranges, thinly sliced into wheels (for garnish)
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs (optional, 2–4, for garnish)
  • Pomegranate seeds (optional, for garnish)
  • Cinnamon stick (optional, for infusing flavor)

Instructions

  1. Juice the oranges using a handheld or electric juicer to yield 1 cup of fresh orange juice. Strain out seeds and excess pulp if desired.
  2. In a large pitcher or mixing jug, combine the cranberry juice and fresh orange juice. Stir gently to blend.
  3. Add 1–2 tablespoons maple syrup, adjusting to taste. Stir until fully dissolved.
  4. If time allows, refrigerate the juice blend for 20–30 minutes to chill and meld flavors.
  5. Just before serving, gently pour in 2 cups chilled sparkling water or club soda. Stir slowly to preserve the bubbles.
  6. Prepare garnishes: slice oranges into thin wheels, rinse cranberries, and ready rosemary sprigs or pomegranate seeds if using.
  7. Fill serving glasses halfway with ice cubes. Pour the cranberry-orange mixture evenly into each glass. Top with extra sparkling water if desired.
  8. Garnish each glass with fresh cranberries, orange wheels, and a rosemary sprig or pomegranate seeds.
  9. Taste and adjust sweetness or fizz as needed before serving.

Notes

For best results, use freshly squeezed orange juice and chill all ingredients before mixing. Adjust maple syrup to taste, especially if using sweetened cranberry juice. Add sparkling water and garnishes just before serving for maximum fizz and freshness. For a festive touch, freeze cranberries or orange slices in ice cubes ahead of time.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry orange mocktail, Thanksgiving drink, non-alcoholic holiday drink, festive mocktail, sparkling cranberry orange, easy mocktail recipe, kid-friendly drink, vegan holiday drink

Find it online: https://lemonydrinks.com/cranberry-and-orange-mocktail-recipe-easy-festive-thanksgiving-drink/