There are a ton of reasons why serving mocktails is a great idea this holiday season. For one, they’re inclusive, everyone gets to hold a pretty drink, mocktails are hydrating, they aren’t addicting, they can be nutritious, and best of all, you will never get a hangover from mocktails. Oh, and did we mention they’re delicious? If you’ve never made mocktails before and aren’t sure where to start, we have a few simple (and delicious) recipes for this holiday season. Cheers!
Sparkling Cranberry Lime
Our first mocktail is bubbly with a hint of lime and a whole lot of cranberry making it the perfect drink to serve during the holidays. It’s the sugared cranberry garnish that really sells this drink for us. Your guests are sure to leave happy and hydrated. Check out this recipe from Food Lovin’ Family.
Ingredients
- 1 10 oz bag of frozen cranberries or 1 bag fresh cranberries
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 12 oz cans DASANI® Sparkling Lime
- Optional: additional frozen cranberries and twist of lime wedges for garnish
Instructions
- Thaw frozen cranberries and blend in a blender or food processor until chopped.
- In a medium saucepan, add water, sugar and chopped cranberries and cook over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. About 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and strain the mixture using a cheesecloth or small stainer to remove cranberry chunks.
- Place remaining liquid in a covered jar and store in refrigerator.
- This syrup can last up to one week.
- Sparkling Cranberry Lime Mocktail
- Fill 2 highball glasses with ice and about 1/4 cup frozen cranberries each if desired.
- Add 2 tablespoons cranberry simple syrup to each glass.
- Fill glasses with DASANI® Sparkling Lime
- Garnish with twist of lime and sugared cranberries.
Candy Cane Martini
This drink just tastes like Christmas. If you book it to the store to nab some peppermint bark every holiday season, then you’ll want to serve this cool, creamy, pepperminty mocktail right up. Check out this recipe from This Vivacious Life.
Ingredients
- 1 C half and half
- 12 oz cream soda
- 4 tsp. simple syrup
- 2-4 drops peppermint oil or extract
- candy canes
- 4 tsp. simple syrup
Instructions
- To prepare the martini rims, lightly coat the rim of your martini cup in simple syrup on a plate
- On another plate, place the crushed candy canes then rim the glasses by dipping the glasses that have been coated in simple syrup into the candy canes
- To make the drink, simply stir together 1 C half and half, 12 oz. cream soda, 4 tsp. simple syrup, and 2-4 drops of peppermint oil in a small pitcher
- Pour mixed drink into the candy cane-rimmed martini glasses
Sangria
Who doesn’t love a good sangria? This recipe combines cinnamon, cranberries, and oranges to create the ultimate holiday drink. Check out this recipe from Inspired by Charm.
Ingredients
- 4 cups cranberry juice
- 2 cups brewed black tea, cooled – (I used Bigelow Constant Comment.)
- 1 bottle (750mL) sparkling red grape juice
- 1 orange – sliced
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 5 cinnamon sticks
- Ice
Instructions
- Start with a pitcher of ice. Pour in the cranberry juice, brewed black tea, and sparkling red grape juice and mix to combine.
- Add orange slices, fresh cranberries, and cinnamon sticks for a little holiday spice. Stir again for a final mix.
- Serve this Holiday Sangria Mocktail in glasses filled with ice. Garnish each with a slice of orange, more cranberries, and a cinnamon stick.