Light & Festive Sparkling Cranberry Apple Cider Mocktail (Easy Recipe)
A quick and easy non-alcoholic mocktail combining tart cranberry juice, crisp apple cider, and fizzy sparkling water, garnished with fresh cranberries, apple slices, and rosemary. Perfect for holiday gatherings or any celebration.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 oz unsweetened cranberry juice (100% juice, not cocktail)
- 2 oz apple cider (unfiltered preferred)
- 1 oz sparkling water or club soda (plain or lime-flavored)
- 1/2 tsp maple syrup (optional, for sweetness)
- Fresh cranberries, for garnish
- 1 thin slice fresh apple (Honeycrisp or Fuji), for garnish
- Fresh rosemary sprig, for garnish (optional)
- Ice cubes (preferably large, clear cubes)
Instructions
- Chill your glass by placing it in the freezer for 10 minutes, or fill with ice water while prepping.
- Pour 4 oz (about 1/2 cup) unsweetened cranberry juice into the chilled glass.
- Add 2 oz (1/4 cup) apple cider. Do not stir yet.
- If using maple syrup, drizzle in 1/2 tsp and stir gently until fully combined. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
- Fill the glass with large ice cubes, leaving about an inch of space at the top.
- Pour 1 oz sparkling water or club soda over the ice slowly to preserve carbonation.
- Garnish with a few fresh cranberries, a thin apple slice on the rim or floating, and a rosemary sprig (slap between palms first to release oils).
- Serve immediately within 5 minutes for best bubbles and freshness.
Notes
For a crowd, pre-mix cranberry juice, apple cider, and maple syrup in a pitcher and refrigerate. Add sparkling water just before serving. If drink is too tart, add more maple syrup; if too sweet, add a squeeze of fresh lime. Use freshly opened sparkling water for best carbonation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass (about 8 oz)
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 20
- Carbohydrates: 24
Keywords: mocktail, cranberry apple cider, non-alcoholic drink, holiday drink, sparkling mocktail, easy recipe, festive drink