Rosemary Cranberry Mocktail
Even though I no longer drink, I still love a fizzy, fun beverage! This rosemary cranberry mocktail combines my love of rosemary with some holiday fruit fun.
One year, when I was living in New York City, my friend asked me if I wanted to go on a Christmas bar crawl. At the time I drank, though rarely, so I said yes to the experience (and because I love the holiday vibes).
Plus, New York City knows how to throw a party, and I knew we’d see some fun characters and decor while out and about.
I believe it was our first stop where I had this delicious rosemary cocktail. It was classy, served in my favorite type of shallow champagne glass (I don’t know if that’s what it’s called, I also don’t care), and the flavors were just… right.
Cheers to whatever you’re celebrating, whenever you’re celebrating!
If you love this recipe, please rate and review it below and tag @accentgolden in your posts on social!
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ROSEMARY CRANBERRY MOCKTAIL
A mocktail is a non-alcoholic drink that includes the variety of elements a traditional cocktail might have, minus the alcohol. Mocktails often include a variety of juices, herbs, and an element of fizz (club soda, ginger beer, seltzer), shaken or stirred together and topped with a fun garnish.
This mocktail is tart and savory, with just the hintiest hint of sweet rosemary, the tang of cranberry, and the glorious bubbles of club soda (or soda water, your choice).
How to make homemade rosemary syrup: In a small pot, combine 1 cup of water, rosemary sprigs, and maple syrup/honey. Place over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Reduce to low and cook for 2 minutes before removing from the heat and letting the rosemary steep at room temperature in the syrup for 20 minutes. Strain out your rosemary and pour your syrup into a heat-proof container to cool completely!
INGREDIENTS
- Fresh rosemary – Fresh rosemary is key to the flavor in this mocktail. The oils from the fresh rosemary infuse the syrup to give that uniquely distinct herby flavor.
- Water – The base of most simple syrups and what we’re infusing flavor into.
- Honey or maple syrup – The sweetener for this recipe, mocktail-makers’ choice!
- Unsweetened cranberry juice – 100% cranberry juice for the base of your mocktail, packing flavor and punch.
- Fresh orange juice – For flavor and tang without adding too much sweetness.
- Sparkling water or club soda – Unflavored for the perfect mocktail fizz.
- Ice cubes – For chilling your drink, shaken or added to the glass
- Fresh cranberries – For decor and natural ice cubes (when frozen)!
- Orange slices – Dehydrated, or not, for a fun garnish (see below for how to dry).
- Rosemary sprigs – A fun way to spruce up your beverage and provide a nod to the flavor.
How to dehydrate orange slices: Preheat your oven to 200°F. Cut your fresh oranges into even 1/8″-1/4″ slices and lay flat on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake until the oranges are dry to the touch and almost leathery (they shouldn’t be sticky!), flipping each slice over every hour. This will take a few hours to do, and the bake time will depend on how thick you’ve sliced your fruit!
HOW TO MAKE A ROSEMARY CRANBERRY MOCKTAIL
First, you’re going to make your rosemary simple syrup. Simply place your rosemary, water, and either maple syrup or honey (your choice!) in a small pot over medium heat.
Once it begins to simmer, reduce to low and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let the rosemary steep at room temperature in the syrup for 20 minutes before straining out the rosemary.
Pour your syrup into a heat-proof container to cool completely.
In a pitcher, combine your cranberry juice, orange juice, rosemary syrup, and ice. Stir and pour into your glasses.
When you’re ready to serve, top each glass with club soda and finish with a slice of orange, cranberries, and a rosemary sprig if desired!
3 reasons you’ll love this rosemary cranberry mocktail
TIPS & VARIATIONS
- Maple Syrup or Honey – You’re welcome to use either of these natural sweeteners in your mocktail. It comes down to flavor preference and what you have available in your pantry. For this recipe, because we’re infusing the sugar and water with rosemary, the taste of the sweetener is less prominent.
- Pomegranate Juice – If you’re having trouble finding unsweetened cranberry juice, you can easily swap it for unsweetened pomegranate juice, as it works for both color and tartness. Be careful to test for sweetness before adding in your simple syrup, as the pomegranate juice may contain more natural sugars.
MAKING AHEAD & STORING
This is the perfect recipe to make in advance! Simply make your rosemary simple syrup and allow it to cool before mixing your remaining ingredients (excluding the club soda, ice, and any garnishes).
This will keep in a pitcher in the fridge for a few days. Once you’re ready to use, fill your glasses with ice and pour over your rosemary-cranberry mixture. Then top with club soda and any garnishes!
MORE MOCKTAIL RECIPES
EQUIPMENT YOU’LL NEED
Equipment
- Small pot
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- 4 Glasses
- Fine Mesh Strainer
Ingredients
- 4 sprigs fresh rosemary 2-inches each
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 cup unsweetened cranberry juice
- ½ cup fresh orange juice approx. 1 orange
- sparkling water or club soda
- ice cubes
- cranberries for garnish (optional)
- rosemary sprigs for garnish (optional)
- orange slices for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a small pot, make your rosemary syrup. Combine 1 cup of water, rosemary sprigs, and maple syrup/honey, place over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Reduce to low and cook for 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let the rosemary steep at room temperature in the syrup for 20 minutes. Strain out your rosemary and pour it into a heat-proof container to cool completely
- In a pitcher, combine your cranberry juice, orange juice, rosemary syrup, and ice. Stir and pour into your glasses
- When ready to serve, top each glass with club soda
- Finish with a slice of orange, cranberries, and a rosemary sprig if desired!
