Sparkling Cranberry Orange Mocktail: Easy Holiday Party Refresher

I make this Cranberry Orange Mocktail every time I need a drink that feels fun, festive, and easy at the same time. When I first made it, it was an instant hit!

It started as a quick mix during a holiday party when I had cranberry juice, orange juice, and lemon-lime soda sitting in the fridge. I poured everything together, gave it a quick stir, and my friends kept asking me what “that good cranberry orange mixed drink” was.

The sweet-tart cranberry flavor with bright orange juice reminds me of winter mornings and holiday gatherings.

This drink has become a staple at my house, especially when I want something non alcoholic that still feels like a treat. It has the perfect balance of fruit juice, fizz, and color — a real holiday mocktail moment.

The tartness of the cranberry juice pairs perfectly with the bright, sweet-citrusy orange juice, and a little fizz makes it feel so celebratory.

Now, this holiday mocktail is a must-have for every occasion, from Sunday brunch to my New Year’s Eve bash.

It’s a genuinely refreshing drink that feels like a special Cranberry Orange Mixed Drink, and I promise you can make it in minutes!

Why You Will Love This Cranberry Orange Mocktail?

This Sparkling Fresh Cranberry Orange Mocktail is a winner because:

1. Super Simple: No special skills or advanced techniques needed. If you can pour, you can make this!

2. Refreshing Flavor: The perfect balance of sweet, tart, and fizzy. It’s a great Fruit Juice based option.

3. Festive Vibe: The beautiful red and orange colors make it look like a gorgeous holiday mocktail with cranberries and orange juice.

4. Crowd-Pleaser: It’s an easy cranberry orange mocktail that everyone, young and old, can enjoy. It’s the perfect Party Punch!

How to Make Cranberry Orange Mocktail?

Recipe Overview

This Simple Cranberry Orange Mocktail is a bright, fizzy beverage made with a mix of cranberry juice, orange juice, and a splash of soda. It’s the ideal Cranberry Orange Spritzer for any occasion.

Detail	Information
Prep Time	5 minutes
Cook Time	0 minutes
Total Time	5 minutes
Cuisine	American, Refreshments
Course	Beverage, Drink
Difficulty Level	Very Easy
Yield	1 Serving
Serving Size	Approx. 8 oz
Calories Per Serving	Approx. 145 kcal (Varies based on simple syrup/soda used)

Equipment

• A tall glass (I love a Collins glass or wine glass for a fancy feel!)
• A measuring jigger or measuring spoons
• A long spoon or stir stick

Ingredients: Making Your Festive Cranberry Orange Mocktail

This mocktail with cranberry juice and orange juice requires just a few basic ingredients!

• 2 oz cranberry juice (100% juice is best for flavor!)
• 2 oz orange juice (Freshly squeezed tastes amazing, but bottled works great too!)
• 0.5 oz of simple syrup (See Ingredient Notes for a simple homemade version!)
• 2 oz of lemon-lime soda (Like Sprite or 7UP)
• Sparkling water or club soda, for topping
• Ice
• Whole cranberries and an orange slice for garnish

Ingredient Notes

• Simple Syrup: You can buy this at the store, but I always make my own by heating equal parts sugar and water until the sugar dissolves. Let it cool before using.
• The Juices: For the best Cranberry Orange Mocktail flavor, try to use high-quality, chilled juices. The juices are the stars of this mocktails cranberry show!
• Sparkling Water vs. Soda: The lemon-lime soda adds a touch more sweetness and citrus flavor. The sparkling water provides the fizz without extra sugar. I like to use both to get the best of both drinks worlds!

Instructions: Step-by-Step Cranberry Orange Mocktail Drink

Let’s make this gorgeous cranberry orange mocktail recipe!

1. The Sweet Start

Grab your glass and fill it with ice. Add the simple syrup first. I start with the syrup to make sure it mixes well with the juices.

2. Add the Cranberry Orange Mixed Drink Base

Next, pour in the cranberry juice and the orange juice. Give it a gentle stir with your spoon. This creates the deep, beautiful color and flavor base for your cranberry orange fizz mocktail.

Helpful Tip: If you want a fun layered look, skip the stir and pour the juices very slowly over the ice! The density difference will keep them separate for a moment.

3. The Fizz Factor

Pour in the lemon-lime soda. Then, top the rest of the glass with sparkling water until it is full. This is what makes it a sparkling cranberry orange mocktail!

4. Garnish and Serve

Give the whole drink one last gentle stir, then garnish with a few fresh or frozen whole cranberries and an orange slice on the rim. Serve immediately! You’ve just made a delightful Cranberry Orange Mocktail!

Nutrition

This section is based on the ingredients listed (using store-bought cranberry juice, orange juice, simple syrup, and standard soda):

Component	Amount
Calories	approx 145 kcal
Carbohydrates	approx 35 g
Sugars	approx 30 g
Fat	0 g
Protein	approx 0.5 g
Vitamin C	High (from the orange juice)

Disclaimer: These are approximate values and can change based on the specific brand of juice, soda, and simple syrup used.

Variations and Substitutions

This mocktails with cranberry juice recipe is incredibly forgiving and flexible. Think of this as the blueprint for your perfect cranberry everything drink!

▶ Spicy Kick: Muddle a small slice of jalapeño in the bottom of the glass before adding ice for a surprising spicy twist.

▶ Flavor Boost: Use a flavored simple syrup, like vanilla or ginger, instead of plain simple syrup.

▶ Different Fizz: Substitute the lemon-lime soda for ginger ale for a more spiced, cozy flavor.

▶ The Cranberry Sunrise Mocktail: For a beautiful color gradient, omit the soda, and substitute half the sparkling water with pomegranate juice. Add the orange juice, then pour the cranberry juice slowly on top for a ‘sunrise’ effect.

Which is better, regular or flavored sparkling water?

For this orange and cranberry mocktail, I prefer plain sparkling water because I want the Fruit Juice flavors to shine.

However, if you want to dial up the citrus, a splash of lime or lemon-flavored sparkling water is a fantastic substitution! It really just depends on your taste buds.

Storing Tips

Since this cranberry orange juice mocktail is a sparkling drink, it is best enjoyed immediately. The carbonation from the soda and sparkling water will go flat if you try to store the finished beverage.

Make-Ahead Option:

Mix a large batch of the cranberry juice, orange juice, and simple syrup (the non-fizzy components) and keep it chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to serve, pour the mix into a glass with ice, and then add the soda and sparkling water.

Serving Suggestions

Since this is such a stunning holiday party drink, presentation is key!

✔️The Rim: Before you start, run an orange wedge around the rim of your glass and dip it into a shallow plate of sugar or white sanding sprinkles for a snowy, sweet rim.

✔️The Ice: Use large, festive ice cubes! You can even freeze whole cranberries and orange zest right into your ice cube trays for a gorgeous look.

✔️Pairing: This orange cranberry mimosa holiday mocktail is the perfect palate cleanser! It pairs wonderfully with salty appetizers like cheese boards, mini quiches, or my famous spiced nuts.

Can I Garnish With Something Else?

Absolutely! Garnish makes the Cranberry Orange Mocktail look so special. Try these alternatives:

• A sprig of fresh rosemary (it looks like a little pine branch!)
• A swirl of orange peel
• Frozen raspberries or pomegranate seeds
• A dusting of nutmeg on top

• Always use chilled ingredients for the most refreshing drink experience.
• Adjust the amount of simple syrup to your taste—use less if your juices are already quite sweet.
• Do not mix the sparkling components in until right before serving to maintain the fizz.

Can I Make This Drink In Advance?

You can prepare the juice and simple syrup mixture (the base) up to 3 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator.

Just be sure to add the soda, sparkling water, and ice right before serving to keep your cranberry orange fizz mocktail nice and bubbly.

Is this the same as a Cranberry Orange Punch?

While it uses similar flavors, this Cranberry Orange Mocktail is a single-serving drink that is topped with soda/sparkling water right before drinking.

A cranberry orange punch is usually made in a large bowl and is often topped with ginger ale and contains floating fruit. You could easily scale this recipe up to be a simple cranberry orange punch base, though!

What Is The Best Cranberry Orange Mocktail Name For This Drink?

I just call it the Cranberry Orange Mocktail or the Cranberry Orange Spritzer, but my readers have called it everything from the Capri Holiday Mocktail to the Cranberry Orange Mixed Drink—whatever name you give it, the flavors are fantastic!

More Mocktail Recipes

The Best Cranberry Apple Mocktail Recipe

Refreshing Pineapple Coconut Mojito Mocktail

Apple Cider Ginger Beer Mocktail

Springtime Strawberry Sipper Mocktail

Fresh Homemade Cranberry Juice Recipe

FAQs

Ready to Try This Easy Mocktail?

I hope you love this Festive Cranberry Orange Mocktail as much as I do! It truly turns a simple glass of cocktail juice into a special beverage for any occasion.

Try making this cranberry mocktail at your next gathering. I guarantee your guests will ask you for the recipe!

If you give this Simple Cranberry Orange Mocktail a try, please let me know what you think in the comments below.

Did you try a new garnish? Did you add a different flavor of sparkling water? I can’t wait to hear from you!