Easy Holiday Mocktail

Easy Holiday Mocktail is your festive go-to for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any winter celebration. Packed with bright cranberry, crisp apple, zesty lime, and a hint of maple sweetness, this alcohol-free drink delivers flavor and sparkle without the booze. Whether you’re sipping solo or serving a crowd, this refreshing mocktail is as cheerful as it is delicious — and it comes together in just minutes.

Holiday drinks don’t need alcohol to feel special. This Easy Holiday Mocktail combines seasonal ingredients like cranberry juice, apple cider, and fresh mint for a refreshing beverage that looks as festive as it tastes. Whether you’re skipping alcohol entirely or just want a pretty drink in hand while hosting, this recipe brings the cheer with zero compromise. Plus, it’s simple to batch and perfect for entertaining.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Festive flavors & colors – Classic cranberry + apple combo
• Zero alcohol, full flavor – No buzz, just good vibes
• Quick to make – Ready in 5 minutes, no fancy tools needed
• Perfect for parties – Easily scales into a batch or punch bowl
• Customizable – Add your favorite zero-proof spirit or sparkling wine

🛒 Ingredients

• 6 fresh mint leaves
• 1 tsp maple syrup (or sweetener of choice)
• 2 oz cranberry juice (low-sugar optional)
• 1 oz apple cider or apple juice
• ½ oz fresh lime juice
• Sparkling water or ginger beer (to top)
• Optional:
  • Splash of apple cider vinegar (for “bite”)
  • Pinch of icing sugar (for “snow” effect)
  • Garnish: extra mint, lime wedge, or cranberries

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Muddle the Mint
   Clap mint leaves between your hands to release the oils. Add them to a shaker or jar with the maple syrup. Gently muddle (press) a few times — just enough to bruise, not crush.
2. Add Juices & Shake
   Pour in lime juice, cranberry juice, and apple cider. Add ice. Shake well to chill and combine.
3. Strain & Top
   Strain into a glass filled with fresh ice. Top with sparkling water, ginger beer, or a non-alcoholic bubbly.
4. Garnish & Serve
   Add a sprig of mint, a few cranberries, or a lime wheel. Optional: dust with icing sugar for a snowy holiday look.

⏱ Recipe Details

this recipe

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Servings: 1 (easily scaled for a crowd)

🔢 Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: 66
• Carbs: 17g
• Sugar: 14g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 1g
• Fat: 0.2g
• Vitamin C: 12mg
• Potassium: 139mg

💡 Tips & Variations

• Make a batch – Multiply ingredients for your guest count. Muddle mint and maple in a pitcher, then add juices. Top with sparkling just before serving.
• Use chilled ingredients – Cold juices = no ice dilution
• Garnish station idea – Let guests decorate their drinks with mint, lime, or sugared cranberries
• Add complexity – Use a splash of apple cider vinegar or a zero-proof spirit to mimic the bite of alcohol
• Change up the mixer – Try club soda for neutral fizz or ginger beer for bold spice

❓ FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Mix everything except the sparkling topper. Add fizz and garnishes just before serving.

What’s the best way to serve it for a crowd?
Use a large glass pitcher or punch bowl. Prepare a garnish tray and let guests serve themselves.

Can I make it sugar-free?
Use low-sugar cranberry juice and swap maple syrup for monkfruit or stevia drops.

Easy Holiday Mocktail

A cheerful, alcohol-free holiday mocktail full of cranberry, apple, and mint flavor. Sparkling, festive, and ready in 5 minutes.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Servings: 1

Course: Drinks, Mocktails

Cuisine: American

Calories: 66

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• – 6 mint leaves
• – 1 tsp maple syrup or alternative sweetener
• – 2 oz cranberry juice
• – 1 oz apple cider or apple juice
• – ½ oz lime juice
• – Sparkling water or ginger beer to top
• – Optional:
• – Splash of apple cider vinegar
• – Pinch of icing sugar
• – Garnishes: mint sprig lime, cranberries

Equipment

• – Shaker or mason jar
• – Muddler (or wooden spoon handle)
• Serving glass

Method

 

1. Clap mint between hands and add to shaker with maple syrup. Muddle gently.
2. Add lime, cranberry, and apple juice with ice. Shake well.
3. Strain into glass with fresh ice. Top with sparkling water or ginger beer.
4. Garnish with cranberries, mint, lime, or dust with icing sugar.

Notes

– Make-ahead: Mix juices + mint. Add bubbles before serving.
– Batch: Scale ingredients and mix in a pitcher or punch bowl.

🍹 Conclusion

This Easy Holiday Mocktail is vibrant, refreshing, and completely alcohol-free — making it perfect for any guest list. With its bold red color and seasonal ingredients, it’s just the thing to brighten up your holiday table without the need for booze. Festive, flexible, and so simple to make, it’s the ultimate sip-and-celebrate mocktail!