Here’s a sparkling cranberry sangria mocktail or cocktail recipe that looks and tastes amazing! Made either way, just like our delicious lime drink, it’s tasty for the holidays and year round.
Love a sweet drink, especially when I have people over. It has to look pretty too! Especially during the holidays this hits the spot (either cocktail or mocktail style). It’s nice to have a holiday inspired drink to serve when you’re having people over, and one that can be served both ways so children can enjoy it too.
So I made this a few times during the holidays when other families were coming over and made it mocktail style, but you could easily make it with alcohol as well. I call it a sangria because of it’s great color and all the fruit it’s filled with. Full of sweetness and a bit of mint for color and flavor, it goes with just about any dish and looks really pretty presented too (always important right).
You will need small tumblers, a pitcher, some juice, soda, fruit, and mint leaves. I use a peach, apple, and orange (as well as the cranberries for a garnish) because around this time of year those are usually fairly fresh.
Ingredient Notes
Cranberry juice is the base as you might imagine when you look at the color of this. You can buy a bottle from Ocean Spray or store brands taste amazingly similar. For a more mild flavor you can find mixtures such as cran apple etc…
Lemon lime soda such as 7-up or Sprite will dilute it a bit and add a sparkling effervescence to this which is really nice. You could use ginger ale instead if you prefer.
I like slices of peaches and apples for the fresh fruit added. You could use a slice of lime on the rim or pineapple chunks in it as well if you’d rather focus on those flavor profiles. Whichever you choose, find fruits that are on the firmer side so they keep their composure while floating in the glass. Fresh cranberries can float on top for color too.
Fresh mint is optional but great for the holiday season to add some green with the red to create a unique holiday cocktail to serve others.
with Vodka (Option)
If making it into a cocktail the best choice would be vodka but really use your favorite one. Malibu will add more of an island flavor like we use in our pineapple rum cocktail. You could even soak bite size bits of fruit in red or white wine before serving.
Mocktail (Option)
Of course you wouldn’t do that for the non alcoholic version. This makes 1 pint so adjust and necessary. Serve with a slice of Champagne Cake and enjoy!
It is super easy (I don’t make anything difficult), and everyone always loves how pretty it is too. It’s fun for kids since it has some sweet fruits inside and when they drink the liquid there’s a little “snack” at the bottom of their tumbler….and when everyone leaves cleanup is EASY! 😉 Sometime it’s the little things right. Jump to recipe and let me know what you think!
Cranberry Sangria Recipe
Equipment
- 1 pitcher
- 3 glasses
Ingredients
- 3 cups cranberry juice
- 2 cups lemon lime soda
- 1/2 large peach, diced
- 1/2 large apple, diced
- 1/2 large orange, cut into chunks
- 1 cup cranberries, whole, for garnish – do not use if serving to children
- 1 mint leaf per cup
- 1 cup vodka, optional, substitute one cup of sprite for the vodka
Instructions
- Mix together your cranberry juice and 7-up or Sprite with a few ice cubes in a pitcher.
- Dice all fruit and add 1/2 on top, into pitcher. Add mint leaf and a few whole cranberries to top for garnish.
- Serve in small Chinet tumblers. If creating an alcoholic version use 1/2 c. of red wine or vodka (your preference) in a bowl with fruit about an hour before making drink, place in fridge while waiting.
- Only use 2 1/2 cups cranberry juice instead of 3 and add the other 1/2 c. of red wine into drink when mixing.
- Add fruit soaked in red wine/vodka before serving as following the directions above for the non alcoholic version. This makes 1 pint.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Other easy cranberry recipes you’ll love
First off when you make let’s say our cranberry sauce recipe with orange juice fresh it is great BUT you can transform it as leftovers too really well. Cranberry cobbler using leftovers is yummy. Instant Pot cranberry sauce you can make in just one minute. Cranberry Moscow mule is another holiday favorite If you want another drink this mulled wine recipe is amazing too.
If you’re having people over or just want a refreshing drink that gets you in the mood for the holidays with it’s great red color THIS sparkling cranberry sangria mocktail is a great drink to make.
