We'll never turn down a well-crafted cocktail, but right now we're hooked on this non-alcoholic cranberry drink! It's vibrant, tangy, and just sweet enough - made with homemade cranberry simple syrup, fresh citrus, and a splash of club soda. The bold red color makes it festive for the holidays, yet it's just as refreshing at summer parties, brunches, or cozy nights in. It's a sip that feels fancy without the fuss.
Mocktails are having their moment, and this one proves why - they bring all the flavor and flair without the alcohol. Want to make it a cocktail? Just add your favorite spirit. Vodka keeps it crisp, rum or whiskey add warmth, and gin highlights the citrus notes. With the homemade cranberry syrup and citrus juice as the base, it's endlessly customizable and always refreshing.
Best of all, this batch mix recipe is make-ahead friendly - just mix it up, set out your bar, and let guests customize their drink while you enjoy the company. It's effortless entertaining with a drink that looks as good as it tastes. NOTE: This recipe focuses on making the batch mix for a mocktail or cocktail.
Jump to:
- Ingredients
- What's the difference between seltzer, sparkling water, club soda, and tonic water?
- Substitutions and additions
- Instructions for making the batch mix
- What glass to use
- Making your drinks
- Setting a serve-yourself bar
- How to store cranberry-citrus batch mix
- Time saver tips
- Some favorite bar bites
- FAQ's
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments & Reviews
Ingredients
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and quantities.
- Cranberry simple syrup is the star of this batch mix - it's sweet and tangy and perfectly balances the citrus. If you've never made simple syrup, don't worry, it's VERY EASY. We use a homemade cranberry simple syrup for this batch mix, simple instructions are included here. Find more detailed information in our Cranberry Simple Syrup post.
- Lemon and lime juice are the balance to the cranberry. Squeeze your own citrus - skip the bottled stuff - for the best flavor.
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- Use your mixer of choice. Club soda is our preference, but tonic water and seltzer water work just as well.
- If you're serving cocktails alongside this batch mix, set out a selection of spirits to give guests options. Vodka, gin, rum, and whiskey are all good with this cranberry batch mix.
- Bitters are optional but add amazing depth to the drink. Traditional bitters contain alcohol, but you can get alcohol-free bitters if you want to keep things completely zero-proof!
- Have a selection of garnishes - lemon and lime slices or peels, sprigs of fresh herbs, and cherries make the drink feel extra festive.
What's the difference between seltzer, sparkling water, club soda, and tonic water?
They're all carbonated drinks so you'll get the fizzy drink you want, but they're different in how they're processed and additional ingredients - so they will vary slightly in flavor. They can all be flavored with natural or artificial flavorings.
- Seltzer is just plain water that is carbonated - no added minerals and usually no flavor, making it a good solo drinking beverage.
- Sparkling water is usually spring water that may contain minerals so may have a unique flavor - brands may vary. It has a neutral taste and is good for drinking on its own.
- Club soda has added minerals and salt - intended to help it mimic the flavor of natural mineral water. It may have a slight hint of salt and is great for mixed drinks as it can enhance spirits.
- Tonic water has a unique, bitter taste from quinine that is then balanced with some added sugar - making it higher in calories than the others. Making your own tonic has become a current in-thing to do.
Substitutions and additions
This is such a forgiving recipe - play around with each ingredient to find the balance you like. A few fun additions:
- Citrus. Add some fresh orange, blood orange, or grapefruit juice to the batch mix to dial up the citrus.
- Herbs. Garnish with fresh herb sprigs - rosemary, thyme, or mint are all delicious.
- Bitters. Just a drop or two of bitters can totally transform a mocktail, adding depth and complexity.
NOTE: Traditional bitters have a very high alcohol content - similar to vanilla extract. They're used in such a small amount, 1-2 drops, that there is very little actual alcohol in the drink. Want to keep it completely alcohol-free? No problem - there are alcohol-free bitters available. - Sugar rim. Want to sweeten it up even more? Add a sugar rim to your glasses - it looks festive and tastes great! We skipped it so the cranberry tang could really shine, but it's a fun option if you'd like. To do this, pour some sugar (super fine or regular granulated sugar both work) onto a small plate. Run a lemon or lime wedge around the rim of the glass and gently dip the rim in the sugar for a sparkling finish.
(For more details on this, see this Raspberry Margaritas post.) - Other flavors. If you're not feeling the cranberries, use a berry simple syrup, demerara simple syrup, or a basic simple syrup to get even more of the citrus shining through.
Instructions for making the batch mix
Since we're making this non-alcoholic cranberry drink as a batch mix - for a crowd- the steps are simple.
- Grab a large container with a lid.
- Add ingredients. Stir together all of the lemon juice, lime juice, and cranberry simple syrup.
- Cover and chill. Seal the container with the lid and place it in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- That's it! Your non-alcoholic cranbery drink batch mix is ready to go - simple, refreshing, and perfect for parties.
What glass to use
We recommend a 12 ounce glass for the non-alcoholic cranberry drink.
If making a cranberry cocktail, a 6-8 ounce glass is preferred.
Want to sugar the rim of your glass?
Do that before you begin adding your drink ingredients to the glass.
Making your drinks
To make one mocktail
- Fill the glass half way with ice.
- Add 2 ounces of cranberry-citrus batch mix to the glass.
- If using bitters, add them now.
- Top off the glass with club soda.
- Stir, garnish, and serve.
To make one cocktail
- Place 1 large cocktail ice cube or 2-3 regular sized cubes of ice in a glass.
- Add 2 ounces of cranberry-citrus batch mix to the glass.
- Pour in 2 ounces of the spirit of your choice.
- Add 1-2 drops bitters.
- Stir, garnish, and serve.
Find the balance you like!
Add more lemon or lime for a more citrus forward drink.
Add more cranberry simple syrup for more tangy sweetness.
Adjust the ratio of spirits to cranberry-citrus mix if making a cocktail.
Adjust the ratio of club soda to batch-mix to get the balance you prefer.
If making a cocktail, add a splash of club soda or tonic water to top off the glass.
Setting a serve-yourself bar
For more details on setting your self-serve bar,
visit our 15 Holiday Beverages and DIY Bar Tips post.
Some quick tips to keep in mind:
- Select a dedicated beverage area.
- Set out your glassware and bar tools - like jiggers, small measuring cups, cocktail shaker, stirrers, tongs, spoons, and a few rags for hands or quick cleanups.
- Keep the juices and batch mixes cold by placing the pitchers in an ice bath - a container with ice that the pitcher sits in.
- Make a simple instruction card on how-to mix any specialty drinks - like this non-alcoholic cranberry drink - along with any other mocktails or cocktails you planned ingredients for. Make multiple copies in case one gets ruined (drink spilled on it) or guests want a copy.
- Have any batch mixes, juices, or simple syrups in easy to pour containers.
How to store cranberry-citrus batch mix
This non-alcoholic cranberry drink batch mix - made with cranberry syrup, lemon juice, and lime juice - keeps happily in the fridge for about a week when stored in a clean, airtight container. Want to stretch it further? Freeze it in a freezer-friendly airtight container for up to 3 months and you'll have a ready-to-go batch mix waiting for you anytime. Just thaw and you're ready to mix up delicious mocktails or cocktails.
Time saver tips
- Juice ahead. Use an electric juicer (or hand juicer) to juice lemons and limes up to 3 months in advance. Freeze in airtight containers.
- Syrup prep. Make cranberry simple syrup ahead of time and freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
- Batch mix prep. Mix cranberry-citrus batch in advance. Store in the fridge for 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
Some favorite bar bites
FAQ's
The cranberry simple syrup brings a deeper, richer flavor than cranberry cocktail juice, but you can swap if you'd like. Play with the ratio of juice to club soda - you'll probably want to cut back on the soda and add more juice, since the syrup packs more flavor than the bottled cocktail version.
Absolutely! Stir this cranberry-citrus batch mix up and store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
Yes - this batch mix is also delicious with berry simple syrup.
📖 Recipe
Non-alcoholic Cranberry drink
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 12 drinks 1x
Description
This non-alcoholic cranberry drink is vibrant, tangy, and just sweet enough, made with homemade cranberry simple syrup, fresh citrus, and a splash of club soda. Bold in color and bright in flavor, it's a sip that feels fancy without the fuss!
Ingredients
CRANBERRY SIMPLE SYRUP
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups water
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries
BATCH JUICE MIXTURE
- 24 ounces (3 cups) fresh squeezed lemon juice (about 10-12 lemons)
- 16 ounces (2 cups) cranberry simple syrup
- 8 ounces (1 cup) fresh squeezed lime juice (about 4-6 limes)
- 60-80 ounces club soda
- Garnish: extra lemons and limes, fresh herb sprigs, cherries for garnish
Instructions
CRANBERRY SIMPLE SYRUP
- Combine sugar, water, and cranberries in a medium saucepan and heat on medium-high heat until boiling and sugar is dissolved.
- Reduce heat to low-medium and continue to gently simmer for another 5-6 minutes until cranberries have popped.
- Remove from heat and strain through a mesh strainer.
- Cool the strained liquid and pour into jars.
- Seal tight and store in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze up to 3 months.
BATCH MIX
- Combine lemon juice, lime juice, and cranberry simple syrup in a large container. Stir to combine.
MAKING A MOCKTAIL
- Fill glass ½ full with ice cubes.
- Pour 2 ounces of batch mix over the ice.
- If using bitters, add 2 drops to the glass.
- Top glass with club soda, stir, and garnish.
MAKING A COCKTAIL
- Add 1-2 large ice cubes to a glass.
- Pour 2 ounces of batch mix, 2 ounces of your spirit of choice (vodka, whiskey, rum, or gin), and 2 drops of bitters over the ice.
- Garnish with a lemon or lime wedge or peel or a sprig of fresh herb.
Notes
Squeeze fresh lemon and lime juice - it makes a huge difference.
Make this a mocktail or cocktail. Use the batch mix plus club soda for a mocktail. Add your alcohol of choice for a cocktail.
Make the cranberry-citrus batch mix in advance - store in the fridge up to a week. This freezes great - for maximum freshness we recommend using within 3 months but it will last up to 6 months if stored properly.
Find the balance you like! Add more lemon juice, lime juice, or cranberry simple syrup for more citrus, tang, or sweet. Adjust the ratio of spirits and club soda to cranberry-citrus. If making a cocktail, add a splash of club soda to top off the glass.
If setting a self-serve beverage station for mocktails and cocktails, include the following:
• Ice
• Tools - cocktail glasses, jigger or small measuring cup, spoons
• Garnishes - fresh herbs (rosemary or mint), lemon or lime slices and peels, cherries
• Mixers - club soda, tonic, seltzer, bitters
• Spirits of choice - whiskey, vodka, gin, rum
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Drinks & Cocktails
- Method: Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mocktail
- Calories: 234
- Sugar: 55.6 g
- Sodium: 34 mg
- Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 62.3 g
- Protein: 0.3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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