Can I use cranberry cocktail juice in place of cranberry simple syrup?

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.

Can I make this in advance and freeze it?

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.

Can I make this mocktail with other simple syrups?

Yes - this batch mix is also delicious with berry simple syrup .

Cranberry Mocktail - Batch Mix

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

Scale

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

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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 1/2 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