Festive Holiday Mocktails to Brighten Your Celebrations

Nothing says “holiday cheer” quite like gathering loved ones around the table with festive drinks in hand—and these easy cranberry holiday mocktails are about to become your new seasonal tradition.

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The holidays will be here before you know it—time to pass the sweet potatoes and gather around the table with loved ones! This season, I’m excited to share two beautiful mocktail recipes that will add a special sparkle to your holiday gatherings.

Both of these festive drinks can be made in about 10 minutes with less than 10 ingredients, making them perfect for busy hosts who want to serve something special without spending all day in the kitchen.

Cranberry Orange Spritzer

Start by making a simple homemade syrup that captures the essence of the season. Combine fresh cranberries, orange peel, sugar, and water in a saucepan. Once the cranberries pop and release their vibrant color, strain the syrup and let it cool.

To assemble each drink, pour ¼ cup of the cranberry-orange syrup into the bottom of a glass—I love rimming mine with sugar for an extra festive touch. Top with your favorite lemon-lime soda, then garnish with a few whole cranberries and a twist of orange peel.

Want to make it a cocktail for the adults? Use the same syrup base, add 1 ½ ounces of vodka, and top with seltzer.

Cranberry Thyme Sparkler

For this elegant option, you’ll make another quick syrup, this time infusing cranberries with fresh thyme for an herbaceous twist. The thyme adds a sophisticated, unexpected flavor that guests always love.

Combine 2 tablespoons of the cranberry-thyme syrup with 2 tablespoons of cranberry juice in your glass, then fill with ginger ale. The result is a beautiful ruby-red drink that looks as gorgeous as it tastes.

To transform this into a martini, substitute a shot of vodka for the ginger ale, shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker, and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs and cranberries for a stunning presentation.

Cranberry Holiday Mocktails

Cranberry Orange Spritzer

Syrup Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ cups cranberries
• Peel of 1 orange
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 1 ½ cups water

Directions: Boil cranberries, orange peel, sugar, and water until most cranberries have popped, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 more minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve.

Per Drink:

• ¼ cup syrup
• 4 ounces lemon-lime soda

Store unused syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Cranberry Thyme Sparkler

Syrup Ingredients:

• 1 cup cranberries
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 5 sprigs fresh thyme

Directions: Boil cranberries, sugar, water, and thyme until most cranberries have popped, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 more minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve.

Per Drink:

• 2 tablespoons syrup
• 2 tablespoons cranberry juice
• Ginger ale to fill

Store unused syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Looking for the perfect appetizer for your gathering? Try this Cranberry Brie Pull Apart Bread. 

Set the mood for the holidays with these Mini Cranberry Wreaths.