Print

Festive Sparkling Cranberry Apple Cider Mocktail

festive sparkling cranberry apple cider mocktail - featured image
Print Recipe

A bright, tart, and just sweet enough mocktail with a piney rosemary note, perfect for holiday gatherings. Made with budget-friendly ingredients and ready in 15 minutes, it’s a family favorite that feels festive without being fussy.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups unsweetened cranberry juice (recommended: Ocean Spray)
  • 1 cup apple cider (unfiltered, such as Honeycrisp or Gala)
  • 1/2 cup water (filtered)
  • 3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (adjust to taste)
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary (4–5 inches each, plus extra for garnish)
  • 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (pure)
  • 2 cups sparkling water or club soda (chilled)
  • Ice cubes (large cubes preferred)
  • Fresh cranberries (for garnish; frozen work in a pinch)
  • Apple slices (thin, for garnish)
  • Extra rosemary sprigs (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Steep the Rosemary (5 minutes): In a medium saucepan, combine apple cider, water, and honey (or maple syrup). Add rosemary sprigs and cinnamon stick (if using). Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat and let simmer for exactly 7 minutes.
  2. Strain and Cool (5 minutes): Remove from heat. Pour through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher, discarding solids. Let cool at room temperature for about 5 minutes (or refrigerate for 10 minutes if in a hurry).
  3. Add Cranberry Juice and Vanilla (2 minutes): Once cooled slightly, stir in cranberry juice and vanilla extract. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
  4. Chill the Base (at least 30 minutes): Cover pitcher and refrigerate until completely cold. Can be made up to 5 days ahead.
  5. Prepare Garnishes (10 minutes): Wash and dry cranberries. Slice apple into thin rounds (about 1/8 inch thick). Cut a small slit in each slice for rim placement. Rinse and pat dry extra rosemary sprigs.
  6. Assemble and Serve (5 minutes): Fill each glass halfway with ice. Pour chilled base over ice, filling glass three-quarters full. Top with sparkling water (about 1/4 cup per glass). Stir gently. Garnish with rosemary sprig, fresh cranberries, and an apple slice on the rim. Serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t over-steep the rosemary—exactly 7 minutes is key. Use large ice cubes to slow melting. Chill glasses in the freezer for 15 minutes before serving. For a crowd, double or triple the base but keep rosemary ratio the same. Add sparkling water per glass, not to the whole pitcher, to keep bubbles lively.

Nutrition

Keywords: mocktail, cranberry, apple cider, rosemary, holiday drink, non-alcoholic, festive, sparkling

Find it online: https://elaraeats.com/festive-sparkling-cranberry-apple-cider-mocktail-recipe/