Description
Festive cranberry pomegranate mocktail blends seasonal flavors with refreshing elegance. Holiday guests will appreciate this non-alcoholic beverage that sparkles with fruity complexity and festive cheer.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 2 ounces (59 milliliters) cranberry juice
- 1 ounce (30 milliliters) apple cider or apple juice
- 1/2 ounce (15 milliliters) lime juice
- Sparkling water or ginger beer
Flavor Enhancers:
- 6 mint leaves
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- Splash apple cider vinegar (optional)
- Pinch icing sugar (optional)
Garnish:
- None specified
Instructions
- Vigorously clap mint leaves to release essential oils, then place in cocktail shaker with maple syrup. Gently press leaves against sides to extract maximum flavor.
- Pour lime juice, cranberry juice, and apple juice into shaker. Add ice cubes and seal tightly. Shake rigorously for 15-20 seconds to thoroughly blend and chill ingredients.
- Fill serving glass with fresh ice cubes. Strain mixture through fine mesh to ensure smooth, crisp texture and remove mint fragments.
- Crown drink with sparkling water or ginger beer, creating effervescent top layer. Pour slowly to maintain drink’s pristine appearance.
- Artfully garnish with fresh cranberries, mint sprigs, and thin lime wheel. For festive winter presentation, delicately dust surface with powdered sugar, mimicking elegant snowfall.
Notes
- Boost mint flavor by briefly rubbing leaves between palms before muddling to release essential oils and intensify aromatic profile.
- Create kid-friendly version by using natural fruit juices without added sugars and selecting low-sugar sparkling water alternatives.
- Consider preparing ingredients ahead and pre-chilling glasses to streamline party serving and maintain optimal beverage temperature.
- Experiment with seasonal fruit garnishes like pomegranate seeds or frozen cranberries to add festive visual appeal and subtle flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Mocktails
- Method: Shaking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: <1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg