Cranberry-Ginger Mocktail
Pretty, a little sweet, a little tangy, and a smidge spicy
Growing up on Thanksgiving all the kids were given champagne flutes at our place settings 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, it’s cheaper and tastes better.
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 with the fizz from the ginger beer giving it that proper cocktail (but not) feel.
So whether you’re celebrating with kids or just having a non-alcoholic cheers, this is the perfect drink to lift your glass to.
If you love this recipe, please leave a comment below!
Yields: 4 servings
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)
Directions:
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!
Once you try and love this simple recipe, please leave a comment below and tag @accentgolden in your posts on social!
