Easy Cranberry-Ginger Mocktail (Small-Batch Recipe!)
Growing up on Thanksgiving, all the kids were given champagne flutes and treated to sparkling grape juice ahead of eating dinner. Let’s just say I felt very classy before stuffing my face with absolutely everything.
Now, as an adult who chooses not to drink, I realize I need to up my mocktail game. Let’s be honest, the sparkling juice you drank as a kid, as an adult… it doesn’t taste the way you thought it did. Plus, a homemade mocktail is not only easy to mix up, but it’s cheaper and tastes better.
So, whether you’re celebrating with kids or just having a non-alcoholic cheers, this is the perfect drink to lift your glass to.
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CRANBERRY-GINGER MOCKTAIL
As a lover of lemonade, especially ginger lemonade, this mocktail with its splash of cranberry juice is the perfect balance of tangy, spicy, and sweet. Plus, the ginger beer adds a delicious fizz (and spice), giving it that proper cocktail (but not) feel. This recipe makes four drinks, perfect for girls’ night or to have on hand for an afternoon drink delight.
What is simple syrup? Simple syrup is made up of equal parts sugar and water, heated over the stove until the sugar dissolves. It makes it easy to sweeten drinks, especially cold beverages, where you don’t have the heat of the drink to melt the sugar.
INGREDIENTS
- Water: The base for your simple syrup
- Maple Syrup: Adds a natural sweetness to your drink
- Ginger: Brings a little spice and flavor
- Lemons: The main liquid of your drink, bringing a delicious sharpness
- Unsweetened Cranberry Juice: Adds color and flavor to your beverage
- Ginger Beer or Gingerale: Adds a little sweetness, flavor, and fizz
- Ice Cubes: Add them to your glass or a shaker to cool down your drink
- Fresh Cranberries: Optional for garnish and add a fun pop of color (and a clue to what’s inside!)
HOW TO MAKE A CRANBERRY-GINGER MOCKTAIL
Make your ginger syrup by grabbing a small pot and mixing together your water, grated ginger, and maple syrup. Place on the stove over medium heat and bring it to a simmer, stirring for about two minutes until all of your syrup has dissolved. Remove it from the heat and let the ginger steep in the syrup for 10 minutes before straining and allowing to cool at room temperature.
To make the base of your mocktail, grab a pitcher and add your lemon juice, ginger syrup, and cranberry juice, stirring well. Grab your cold ginger beer or ginger ale from the fridge and your glasses of choice.
To serve, place ice and frozen cranberries in each glass, split your mocktail mixture between all four glasses, and top with ginger beer. Garnish with a lemon slice and enjoy!
3 reasons you should make this drink
TIPS & VARIATIONS
- I love the cranberry juice in this drink but you can also swap in for pomegranate if that’s what you have on hand!
- Prep your ginger simple syrup in advance to allow it time to cool before mixing with the rest of your mocktail ingredients.
- To give a true “cocktail” vibe, rub a lemon on the rim of your glasses and dip each into granulated sugar for that crystalized rim that adds a touch of sweetness.
- Note that some ginger beer does contain a small percentage of alchohol, but not all. Read your labels accordingly!
MAKING AHEAD & STORING
You can store your mocktail (except the ginger beer/ginger ale!) in a covered pitcher in the fridge for up to 5 days. Just top your drink off with fresh ginger beer when you’re ready to pour it.
MORE MOCKTAIL RECIPES
If you love a fun, fizzy drink that’s packed with a healthy boost, try this Quick Winter Citrus Spritz. Or, if you’re on a ginger-lemonade kick, try this single-serve, easy Iced Matcha Gingerade!
Equipment
- Small pot
- Fine Mesh Strainer
- Spoons
- 4 Glasses
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp water
- 2 tsp pure maple syrup
- ½ tsp fresh ginger grated
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice about 3-4 lemons
- ½ cup unsweetened cranberry juice
- 1 cup ginger beer or ginger ale chilled
- Ice cubes
- Lemon slices for garnish (optional)
- Frozen cranberries for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Make the ginger syrup by combining your water, grated ginger, and maple syrup in a small pot. Place on the stove over medium heat until it simmers, stir for about 2 minutes until the syrup has dissolved, and remove from heat. Let all the ingredients steep for 10 minutes and then pour through a fine mesh strainer into a heat-proof bowl, removing the ginger bits, and chill at room temperature. Prepare this in advance so your syrup is at room temperature before preparing the rest of the drink (or it will melt the ice)
- In a pitcher, combine your lemon juice, ginger syrup, and cranberry juice. Stir well to combine
- To serve, fill each glass with ice and frozen cranberries, and split your lemon mixture between the four glasses, leaving space at the top
- Top off each glass with your ginger beer and serve with a lemon wedge
- Enjoy immediately!
