Cranberry Rosemary Mocktail is a sparkling, ruby-red refreshing drink that tastes like the holidays in a glass. A quick homemade syrup of simmered cranberries, fresh rosemary, and orange peel gets mixed with tart cranberry juice, fresh lime, and bubbly sparkling water. It makes 4 drinks and looks gorgeous on any party table.
This cranberry mocktail with rosemary is tart, lightly sweet, and never syrupy, because the cranberry juice and lime balance the homemade syrup. You can make the syrup ahead, so the drinks come together in minutes when guests arrive. It's also a great way to use up leftover cranberry sauce (see the variations below), and it's sure to become your new favorite holiday drink.
If you loved this recipe, try our Non-Alcoholic Homemade Eggnog or Slow Cooker Apple Cider next.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Festive and fresh. Cranberry, rosemary, lime, and orange peel make it taste like Christmas and Thanksgiving.
- Not too sweet. Tart cranberry juice and fresh lime balance the homemade syrup.
- Make-ahead friendly. The syrup keeps in the fridge, so the drinks come together in minutes.
- Kid-friendly and alcohol-free. Everyone at the table can enjoy it.
- Uses what you have. Frozen cranberries work, and so does leftover cranberry sauce.
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Ingredients and Substitutions
To make this festive Cranberry Rosemary Mocktail, you will need the following ingredients (see recipe card below for quantities):
- Cranberries - Either fresh or frozen works for the simple syrup, and there is no need to thaw frozen ones. You can also use leftover cranberry sauce (see the variations).
- Sugar - The sweetener for the syrup. Honey or maple syrup also work in the same amount, though they change the flavor.
- Water - Helps the sugar dissolve and the cranberries burst.
- Rosemary - Fresh rosemary sprigs gives the best flavor. Thyme sprigs make a nice swap.
- Orange peel - Use a vegetable peeler to remove a wide strip and avoid the bitter white pith.
- cranberry juice - Chill it before using. Look for pure cranberry juice for the tartest flavor. If you use cranberry juice cocktail, which is sweetened, start with less syrup and add more to taste.
- lime juice - Bottled works in a pinch, but freshly squeezed tastes much brighter.
- Sparkling water - Plain, lime, or orange sparkling water all work. Add it last so the drink stays bubbly.
- Ice - Cubed or crushed ice both work, and plenty keeps the drink cold and crisp.
- Garnish - Fresh cranberries, lime slices, and a sprig of rosemary make each glass look special, but is completely optional.
Equipment
You will need a small saucepan, a fine-mesh sieve, measuring cups and spoons, a spoon for stirring, and 4 tall glasses.
Instructions
- Simmer the syrup. Combine the cranberries, sugar, water, rosemary sprigs, and orange peel in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Cook for about 10 minutes, until the cranberries burst and release their juices.
- Steep. Remove from the heat, cover, and let the syrup steep for 10 minutes to deepen the rosemary flavor.
- Strain and cool. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing gently on the cranberries, and discard the solids. Let the syrup cool completely, about 20 minutes. You'll have about ¾ cup of syrup, and you need ½ cup for 4 drinks.
- Build the drinks. Fill 4 glasses with ice, using 1 cup per glass. Add 2 tablespoons of syrup to each glass, then divide the chilled cranberry juice and lime juice evenly among the glasses.
- Top and garnish. Top each glass with about 6 tablespoons of chilled sparkling water and stir gently. Taste and add more syrup or lime juice if needed. Garnish each glass with fresh cranberries, a sprig of rosemary, and lime slices and serve immediately.
Expert Tip
Strain Gently for a Clear, Ruby Syrup
I like to press the cranberries gently against the sieve, since pressing hard gave me a cloudy syrup and gives the drink a muddy look. Let the syrup cool completely before you build the drinks so the ice doesn't melt too fast.
Recipe Variations
- Use leftover cranberry sauce. Skip the fresh cranberries and sugar and use ¾ cup of leftover whole-berry cranberry sauce instead. Simmer it with the water, rosemary, and orange peel for 5 minutes, steep, and strain as directed. Sauces vary in sweetness, so taste the drink before adding more syrup. Need ideas for the rest of the can? Try these 15 leftover cranberry sauce recipes.
- Make a pitcher. Mix the syrup, cranberry juice, and lime juice in a pitcher, then add the sparkling water and ice right before serving.
- Top with ginger beer. Use ginger beer in place of sparkling water for a spicy, mule-style drink.
- Swap the herb. Use thyme sprigs instead of rosemary for a softer, earthier flavor.
- Use lemon juice. Swap the lime for lemon juice for a slightly sweeter citrus note.
- Add a sugared rim. Dip the rims of the glasses in water, then in coarse sugar for a sparkly finish.
- Make it a cocktail. For an adult version, add 1½ ounces of vodka or gin to each glass before topping with sparkling water.
- Add sparkling cider. Top with sparkling apple cider instead of sparkling water for a sweeter drink.
- Add orange juice. Swap 2 tablespoons of the cranberry juice for orange juice for a sweeter, more citrusy drink.
- Stir in warm spices. Add a cinnamon stick or a pinch of allspice to the saucepan with the rosemary for a cozy, spiced version. Other spices like a whole clove work too.
- Make it a slushy. Blend the ice, syrup, cranberry juice, and lime juice in a blender, pour into glasses, and top with sparkling water.
Tips for the Best Cranberry Rosemary Mocktail
- Use cold ingredients. Chill the cranberry juice and sparkling water in the fridge before serving, so they keep the drink fizzy and stop the ice from melting too fast.
- Don't skip the steep. Letting the syrup sit off the heat is what gives it a deep rosemary flavor.
- Use a wide strip of orange peel. Avoid the white pith, which tastes bitter.
- Cool the syrup completely. Warm syrup melts the ice and makes the drink flat.
- Add the sparkling water last. Pour it gently and stir once so the bubbles last.
- Taste before serving. Cranberry juice and limes vary, so add more syrup or lime juice to suit your taste.
- Fill the glasses with ice. A full glass of ice keeps the drink cold and crisp to the last sip.
- Garnish right before serving. Fresh rosemary and lime look their best when added at the last minute.
Storage
Make Ahead
Make the syrup up to 1 week ahead and store it in the fridge. For a party, mix the syrup, cranberry juice, and lime juice in a pitcher up to 1 day ahead, then add the sparkling water and ice just before serving.
How to Store
Store leftover syrup (about ¼ cup) in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. The assembled drinks are best enjoyed right away.
How to Serve
This mocktail is perfect for holiday parties, Thanksgiving, Christmas brunch, or any gathering where you want a festive drink without alcohol. Serve it in tall glasses over ice and garnish right before guests arrive.
These are my favorite appetizers to serve with it this holiday season:
Easy Appetizers
If you're planning a larger appetizer spread, browse our collection from bite-sized finger foods and shareable snack platters to creamy dips, holiday appetizers, and more. These recipes are perfect for entertaining, casual gatherings, or anytime you want a delicious, crowd-pleasing starter.
FAQ
Yes. Use ¾ cup of whole-berry cranberry sauce in place of the cranberries and sugar. Simmer it with the water, rosemary, and orange peel, then steep and strain as directed. Jellied sauce melts into the syrup too. Taste before adding syrup to the drinks, since sauces vary in sweetness.
Yes. Make the syrup up to 1 week ahead and keep it in the fridge. Add the cranberry juice, lime juice, sparkling water, and ice when you are ready to serve.
It keeps for up to 1 week in an airtight jar in the refrigerator.
Fresh rosemary gives the best flavor and a prettier garnish, so I don't recommend dried.
Yes. The drink will be tarter, so add a little extra syrup to taste.
Yes. Add 1½ ounces of vodka or gin to each glass before topping with sparkling water.
Yes. It is alcohol-free, sweet-tart, and bubbly, which kids love.
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Cranberry Rosemary Mocktail
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 mocktails 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free, Vegan
Description
A sparkling cranberry mocktail with homemade cranberry rosemary syrup, cranberry juice, and fresh lime. It is tart, lightly sweet, and perfect for the holidays.
Ingredients
For the cranberry rosemary syrup:
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (120 ml) water
- 2 fresh rosemary sprigs
- 1 strip orange peel
For the mocktails:
- 1 cup (240 ml) 100% cranberry juice blend, chilled
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1½ cups (360 ml) sparkling water, chilled
- 4 cups ice
- 4 fresh cranberries, rosemary sprigs, and lime slices (for garnish)
Instructions
Make the syrup:
- Combine the cranberries, sugar, water, rosemary sprigs, and orange peel in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Cook for about 10 minutes, until the cranberries burst and release their juices.
- Remove from the heat, cover, and let the syrup steep for 10 minutes to deepen the rosemary flavor.
- Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing gently on the cranberries. Discard the solids. Let the syrup cool completely, about 20 minutes. You'll have about ¾ cup of syrup, and you need ½ cup for 4 drinks.
Make the mocktails:
- Fill 4 glasses with 1 cup of ice each. Add 2 tablespoons of syrup to each glass, then divide the chilled cranberry juice and lime juice evenly among the glasses.
- Top each glass with about 6 tablespoons of chilled sparkling water and stir gently. Taste and add more syrup or lime juice if needed. Garnish with fresh cranberries, rosemary sprigs, and lime slices and serve immediately.
Notes
- Leftover cranberry sauce: Skip the fresh cranberries and sugar and use ¾ cup of leftover whole-berry cranberry sauce instead. Simmer it with the water, rosemary, and orange peel for 5 minutes, steep, and strain as directed. Taste the drink before adding more syrup, since sauces vary in sweetness.
- Storage: Store leftover syrup in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. For a party, mix the syrup, cranberry juice, and lime juice in a pitcher up to 1 day ahead and add the sparkling water and ice just before serving.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Steep and Cool Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
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