Mock Cranberry Cocktail

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Love the idea of entertaining but don’t care for alcohol? Then try our mock cranberry cocktail recipe. It’s the perfect holiday mocktail everyone can enjoy!

The holiday season is ramping up and people all over the country are hosting dinners and parties. Usually, that means lots of cocktails and wine tastings. However, not everyone likes the idea of serving alcohol.

Tart cranberry juice mixed with a little simple syrup, club soda, and a few other special ingredients make this cranberry juice based mocktail an amazing holiday drink. Moreover, our cranberry mocktail is a wonderful alternative to the traditional vodka cranberry. So, shall we get started?

Two cranberry cocktails served with fresh cranberries and fresh mint.

How to make a mock cranberry cocktail?

First, in order to make a cocktail like this one, you’re going to need a simple syrup. I think it’s called that because it’s so simple to make.

In a small saucepan add the water and sugar. Heat it over medium to high heat while whisking the ingredients.

Water being poured into a saucepan with sugar in it.

It only needs to cook until the sugar dissolves. Now, this syrup can be stored for a few days and used in a variety of drinks including mojitos.

So, if you decide to make more for later use, just remember it’s a one to one ratio. For every cup of sugar you use, combine it with the same amount of water.

The last note I will add here is to let the simple syrup cool before using it in the drink; otherwise, your ice will melt.

A large metal cocktail shaker being filled with simple syrup.

Next, to make the cranberry cocktail, grab a shaker and add a handful of ice. After that, pour in the simple syrup.

Then, add cranberry juice and lime juice. Seal the shaker and give the cranberry mint mocktail a good shake. Set it aside for the moment.

If you were going to add alcohol, then add it to the shaker just before shaking. I would suggest four ounces of vodka, light rum, tequila, or gin.

The cranberry juice being poured into the metal cocktail shaker.

At this point, go ahead and divide the mint between two cocktail glasses. Depending upon the size of the glasses, this recipe could make four small mocktails.

Evenly divide the sugar into the glasses and grab your muddler. Gently muddle the mint to release all the oils into the drinks.

A muddler being used to grind together fresh mint and sugar.

Okay, all that’s left to do is add some ice to each glass (about a handful). Last, unseal the shaker and pour the drinks and top off with club soda. You can garnish them however you like. In fact, we’ll add a few suggestions below.

That’s it, your mock cranberry cocktail is done. Kim and I hope you enjoy the beverage and wish you all the best 🙂

The mock cranberry cocktail being poured into a glass with ice.

Cocktail Garnishes

As a general rule, if you used a fresh ingredient in a cocktail, it might be usable as a garnish (i.e. lemon wedges, cherries, orange slices, etc.).

Here are few examples of garnishes you can use for this cocktail. Please note that swizzle sticks can be used in a number of drinks.

  • Fresh Mint
  • Fresh Cranberries
  • Lime Wedges
  • Swizzle Sticks
The finished mock cranberry cocktail garnished with fresh mint leaves.
The finished mock cranberry cocktail garnished with some fresh mint.

Mock Cranberry Cocktail

4.8 from 4 votes
Print Pin
Author: John
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 2 Servings

Ingredients

Simple Syrup

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup water

Mock Cranberry Cocktail

  • 6 ounces simple syrup
  • 6 ounces cranberry juice
  • 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 16 mint leaves
  • 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
  • 2 cups ice
  • 2 ounces club soda

Instructions
 

For the Simple Syrup:

  • In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Heat over medium-high heat while whisking until the sugar is completely dissolved. The water should be clear. Allow the simple syrup to cool before adding it to drinks; otherwise, it will melt the ice.
    1 cup granulated sugar
    1 cup water

For the Mocktail:

  • Place ice in a large drink shaker. Then add the simple syrup, cranberry juice, and lime juice. Gently shake to combine.
    6 ounces simple syrup
    6 ounces cranberry juice
    1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
  • In two glasses, divide the mint leaves and sugar evenly among the glasses. Use a muddler to bruise the mint leaves and grind the sugar into them. This helps to release the oils and the mint flavor. Add ice to the glasses.
    16 mint leaves
    2 teaspoons granulated sugar
    2 cups ice
  • Carefully pour the mocktail mixture into the ice-filled glasses, and top off with club soda. Garnish with fresh mint and cranberries. Serve immediately.
    2 ounces club soda

Nutrition

Serving: 8ounces | Calories: 292kcal | Carbohydrates: 79g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 72mg | Potassium: 182mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 77g | Vitamin A: 385IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 4mg

Notes

The calories listed are based on the a modified version of the ingredients listed above (one serving only includes .25 cup of sugar, not a full cup) and a serving size of 1 cranberry cocktail Actual calories will always vary. 
*If you don’t have granulated sugar for the simple syrup, use powdered sugar. It dissolves nicely and has the same flavor.
*You will have some simple syrup leftover. It can be saved in the refrigerator for up to 7 days, or used to top off the mocktails. Otherwise, cut back the amounts of sugar and water to 6 ounces each to make the exact amount needed.
*This mocktail is on the sweeter side. For a tart cranberry mojito mocktail, add extra cranberry juice, lime juice, or both. The simple syrup can also be reduced.
*To make this drink a mojito add 1 to 2 ounces of white rum.
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