This festive Christmas mocktail combines cranberry, lime, and ginger beer with a spiced brown sugar rim for a holiday drink everyone can enjoy. Ready in 5 minutes and easy to batch for a crowd!
There’s nothing like a signature drink to get people in the holiday mood As a cocktail expert, I’ve made dozens of Christmas cocktails, but lately I’ve been leaning into non alcoholic drinks. So for this year’s holidays I’ve created my new favorite zero proof holiday drink: the Christmas Mocktail!
The sparkling spiced brown sugar rim adds just the right sparkle to the combination of tart fruity juice with zingy ginger beer, similar to the cranberry mocktail and pomegranate mocktail I made earlier this season. It comes together in just 5 minutes and is simple to batch up for all your holiday parties!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Christmas mocktail recipe was created by my husband Alex, who had the idea to add a hint of apple cider vinegar to this mocktail. If you’ve tried my pomegranate mocktail, you’ll know it really makes you say, “Wow, what’s in this?” Here’s what you’ll need:
- Cranberry Juice: Use 100% cranberry juice for the best flavor; cranberry juice cocktail has added sugar and the color isn’t as brilliant.
- Ginger Beer: Ginger beer has a strong, spicy ginger flavor and is great for mocktails. (Avoid ginger ale, it’s not as flavorful.) I recommend brands like Fever-Tree or Q Ginger Beer.
- Fresh Lime Juice: For best flavor always use fresh lime juice in cocktails and mocktails, not bottled.
- Simple Syrup: Just a touch of simple syrup brightens the flavors; you can also use pure maple syrup.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Any apple cider vinegar works here (I use the unfiltered kind). Avoid substituting other types like white vinegar or wine vinegar because the flavor is too harsh.
- For the rim: A mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and salt makes a delicious warm-spiced glass rim.
How to Make This Christmas Mocktail
I love that this holiday mocktail comes together in about 5 minutes. Here’s my process:
- Prepare the glass by running an orange slice around a stemmed cocktail glass to moisten it. Then dip it into a plate with your rim ingredients. (You could also serve in a low ball glass on the rocks.)
- Stir everything in a cocktail shaker or measuring cup, combining the cranberry juice, lime juice, and apple cider vinegar. You can also just stir it together in a glass.
- Add the ginger beer. Always add carbonated ingredients last to preserve the bubbles.
- Add your garnishes. I like using an orange slice and rosemary sprig for this cocktail to up the fun factor.
Batching This Mocktail for a Crowd
If you’re hosting a large group, the 8-serving batch variation make prep very easy. Multiply the ingredients by 8 (which I’ve done for you in the recipe below!), then mix everything except the in a pitcher.
When serving, stir together with ice, then strain into prepared glasses and top with the ginger beer.
Serving Suggestions
This Christmas mocktail is great for Christmas breakfast, Christmas dinner, and any holiday gathering where you want to offer something special that’s non-alcoholic.
You could also serve it alongside this holiday punch as another mocktail option. It works well with brunch options, like a spinach quiche or cinnamon French toast.
For a holiday dinner, serve this mocktail as the first course: it’s great with Christmas appetizers or finger foods.
This drink works well for kids’ holiday parties too, and feels special like the “grown-up” drinks. Both my kids tried this and loved it (they kept asking for more!).
More Christmas Mocktail Recipes
If you don’t want to make this Christmas mocktail, here are a few others you might enjoy:
Pomegranate Mocktail
Pairs sweet-tart pomegranate juice with lime and ginger beer for a delicious non alcoholic drink.
Sparkling Cranberry Mocktail
Tart cranberry juice, fresh orange, and spicy ginger beer make a festive drink everyone loves.
Christmas Punch
This easy punch stars cranberry juice, pineapple, and ginger ale for a festive crowd-pleaser.
Apple Cider Mocktail
Sweet and tangy, the ginger beer adds bubbles, and muddled mint and lemon add aromatic notes.
And don’t forget a Virgin Mimosa or a Virgin Bloody Mary for Christmas morning! See my 15 Best Mocktail Recipes for more.
PrintThe Best Christmas Mocktail
Pin Recipe
Print RecipeThis festive Christmas mocktail combines cranberry, lime, and ginger beer with a spiced brown sugar rim for a holiday drink everyone can enjoy. Ready in 5 minutes and easy to batch for a crowd!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink
- Category: Drink
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: Moctail
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
For the rim
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch ground cloves
- 1 pinch of flaky sea salt
For the drink
- 2 ounces 100% cranberry juice
- ½ ounce fresh lime juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup (or pure maple syrup)
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 ounces ginger beer
- Orange slices, for garnish
- Fresh rosemary, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the rim by stirring the brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves and flaky sea salt on a small plate. Run an orange slice around the rim of your glass to wet it, then dip the rim into the sugar mixture to coat.
- In a mixing glass, stir together the cranberry juice, lime juice, simple syrup and apple cider vinegar with a handful of ice. Strain into the rimmed glass and top with the ginger beer. If desired, garnish with an orange wheel and rosemary. Serve immediately.
- 8 serving batch variation: Mix 2 cups cranberry juice, ½ cup lime juice, ½ cup simple syrup, and 2 ½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar in a pitcher with 3 handfuls ice. Strain 3 ounces into each glass and top with ginger beer.
Notes
Variations: Substitute maple syrup for the simple syrup for more cozy, nuanced flavor notes. You can also substitute 100% pomegranate juice for the cranberry juice and omit the simple syrup, or keep it for a sweeter drink.
from A Couple Cooks https://ift.tt/qVIA6YK
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