Easy festive cranberry spritzer mocktail with cranberry juice and sparkling water - the perfect holiday party drink.
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When the holiday season is in full swing and you want a festive drink that everyone can enjoy, this sparkling cranberry spritzer is just the thing. It looks like a classic cocktail, tastes like a great cocktail, but is completely alcohol-free - the perfect drink for kids, drivers and anyone skipping holiday wine spritzers and wine coolers this year.
This simple spritzer recipe uses just a handful of simple ingredients - cranberry juice, sparkling water or lemon-lime soda, a splash of fresh citrus and pretty garnishes like fresh cranberries and fresh mint. You can mix one glass at a time or scale it up in a large pitcher or punch bowl for a crowd, ready for your next holiday party or cosy evening at home.
Ingredients for your Festive Cranberry Spritzer
- cranberry juice (unsweetened or lightly sweetened)
- sparkling water (or lemon-lime soda for extra sweetness)
- fresh lime juice (or lemon juice)
- Ice cubes
- Fresh cranberries, for garnish
- Lemon or orange slices, for garnish
- Fresh mint leaves, for garnish (optional)
For exact quantities see the recipe card below.
About the ingredients
Cranberry juice is the star here - it gives that gorgeous ruby colour and a tart, fruity flavour that feels instantly festive. Using unsweetened or lightly sweetened juice keeps the sugar in check and adds a little vitamin C. Topping it up with sparkling water, soda water, seltzer water, club soda or even tonic water adds fizz without turning it into a sugary soda bomb, so this fits in nicely with lighter holiday drinks.
Fresh lime or lemon juice brightens the whole cranberry spritzer and balances any sweetness from the juice or lemon-lime soda. Garnishes like fresh cranberries, citrus slices, lemon peel and fresh mint don't just make it pretty - they add a lovely aroma every time you lift the glass.
How to Make the Festive Cranberry Spritzer (Spritz)
Fill the glass
Add a handful of ice cubes to your serving glass.
Mix the base
In a jug or directly in the glass, pour in the cranberry juice and fresh lime (or lemon) juice. Stir gently to combine.
Top with bubbles
Add the sparkling water (or your choice of lemon-lime soda, ginger ale, club soda, tonic water or other carbonated water) and stir once more so you don't lose too much fizz.
Garnish
Drop in a few fresh cranberries, tuck in a slice of lemon or orange on the rim, and finish with a sprig of fresh mint or a twist of lemon peel. Add a lime wedge on the side if you like a sharper finish.
Serve
Serve straight away while it's icy cold and wonderfully fizzy. Enjoy your refreshing cranberry spritzer!
📖 Recipe
Festive Cranberry Spritzer (Spritz) Mocktail Recipe
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 glass 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Easy festive cranberry spritzer mocktail with cranberry juice and sparkling water - the perfect holiday party drink.
Ingredients
1 cup sparkling water (or lemon-lime soda for extra sweetness)
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (or lemon juice)
Ice cubes
Fresh cranberries, for garnish
Lemon or orange slices, for garnish
Fresh mint leaves, for garnish (optional)Instructions
Fill the glass
Add a handful of ice cubes to your serving glass.
Mix the base
In a jug or directly in the glass, pour in the cranberry juice and fresh lime (or lemon) juice. Stir gently to combine.
Top with bubbles
Add the sparkling water (or your choice of lemon-lime soda, ginger ale, club soda, tonic water or other carbonated water) and stir once more so you don't lose too much fizz.
Garnish
Drop in a few fresh cranberries, tuck in a slice of lemon or orange on the rim, and finish with a sprig of fresh mint or a twist of lemon peel. Add a lime wedge on the side if you like a sharper finish.
Serve
Serve straight away while it's icy cold and wonderfully fizzy. Enjoy your refreshing cranberry spritzer!
Variations and Substitutions
One of the best parts about this drink is how easy it is to tweak. Here are some great ideas to try.
Swap the bubbles
Use whatever fizzy base you have on hand:
- Extra light: sparkling water, soda water, seltzer water or club soda
- Sweeter and more "treat" like: lemon-lime soda or ginger ale
- Grown-up bitterness: tonic water for a more complex, "signature cocktail" style mocktail
Each option gives a slightly different twist on the same cranberry spritzer.
Make it sweeter (with simple syrup)
If your cranberry juice is very tart and you're serving this as a dessert-style festive cocktail alternative, stir in a teaspoon or two of simple syrup:
- Mix equal parts sugar and water in a small pan.
- Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Cool completely, then add to taste.
This turns it into one of the easiest cocktail-style mocktails you can make at home.
Pitcher or punch bowl version
For a crowd, this makes a great cocktail-style centrepiece:
- In a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine cranberry juice and citrus juice.
- Chill until your guests arrive.
- Just before serving, add your sparkling water / soda and plenty of ice, then scatter in fresh cranberries, orange slices and mint.
It looks beautiful on the table and works perfectly alongside other holiday drinks.
Boozy twist (for adults only)
If you're serving both mocktails and cocktails, you can easily create a cranberry vodka spritzer or holiday wine spritzer:
- Cranberry vodka spritzer: add a shot of vodka to a glass, then top with the cranberry mix and sparkling water.
- Holiday wine spritzer: mix red wine with cranberry juice and top with sparkling water or seltzer water for something lighter than full-strength wine coolers.
Always clearly label the alcoholic versions and keep the mocktails separate so everyone knows what they're drinking.
Serving Suggestions
- Holiday parties: Serve in pretty glasses with sugared rims, garnished with fresh cranberries and citrus. It feels just as special as a classic cocktail.
- Christmas brunch: Offer this instead of a mimosa - the colour is gorgeous and it pairs beautifully with pastries or a cooked breakfast.
- Family get-togethers: Because it's alcohol-free, this festive drink is ideal for all ages. Kids love having a "special" glass that matches the adults' drinks.
- Dinner parties: Use it as a non-alcoholic welcome drink while guests arrive and chat - a lovely way to start the evening on a lighter note.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this cranberry spritzer ahead of time?
Yes - you can mix the cranberry juice and citrus juice a few hours in advance and keep it chilled. Wait until just before serving to add the sparkling water, soda water or tonic water so it stays nice and fizzy.
What can I use instead of sparkling water?
You can use lemon-lime soda, ginger ale, seltzer water, club soda or even tonic water. Each option will give a slightly different flavour, but they all work well in this spritzer recipe.
How do I make it less sweet or more sweet?
To make it less sweet, choose unsweetened cranberry juice and stick to sparkling water or soda water rather than lemon-lime soda. To make it sweeter, add a little simple syrup or use a sweeter cranberry juice and top with ginger ale for a dessert-style drink.
Can I scale this for a crowd?
Absolutely. Multiply the ingredients by however many people you're serving and mix in a large pitcher or punch bowl. Add ice and fizzy liquid last so it doesn't go flat too quickly.
Is this suitable for kids and pregnancy?
Yes, as written this is a non-alcoholic mocktail, so it's suitable for children and those avoiding alcohol. If you're also offering a cranberry vodka spritzer or holiday wine spritzer for other guests, just be sure to keep them clearly separated from the mocktails.
Can I turn this into an alcoholic drink?
Yes - for adults only, you can add vodka, prosecco, red wine or white wine to create different spritzer-style holiday drinks. Just remember to label the alcoholic glasses clearly and keep an alcohol-free batch as your go-to festive mocktail.
This festive cranberry spritzer is one of those new recipes that quickly becomes a go-to: simple ingredients, minimal effort and a result that looks like it belongs on any holiday drinks menu. It's the easiest cocktail-style mocktail to whip up when friends drop by, and it doubles up beautifully as a signature cocktail base if you want to add alcohol for some guests.
However you serve it, this bright, bubbly cranberry spritzer will bring a little extra sparkle to your celebrations. If you liked this post, share it with your friends on social media and Pin it for later...
You might also like these other vegan drinks...
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