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Festive Cranberry-Apple Mocktail with Spiced Citrus and Sparkling Ginger Recipe

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4.1 from 78 reviews

  • Author: admin
  • Total Time: 4 hours 50 minutes
  • Yield: 10 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This festive Thanksgiving mocktail is a refreshing, non-alcoholic beverage perfect for holiday gatherings. Combining tart cranberry juice, crisp apple cider, and zesty citrus with warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and star anise, it offers a complex flavor profile that pleases every palate. Sparkling ginger beer adds a lively fizz, while fresh garnishes like rosemary, cranberries, and apple slices make it visually stunning and extra special.

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

  • 4 cups (32 fl oz) unsweetened 100% pure cranberry juice
  • 4 cups (32 fl oz) unfiltered apple cider
  • 2 medium navel oranges (zest of one, slices for garnish)
  • 1 medium lime (zest of half, juice)
  • 4-5 whole cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tsp whole cloves
  • 3-4 star anise pods
  • 4-6 fresh rosemary sprigs

Garnishes

  • 1 cup fresh cranberries (for garnish)
  • 1-2 firm apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji), thinly sliced
  • Reserved orange slices (from one orange)
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs (additional, for garnish)

Optional Sweetener

  • 2-4 tbsp maple syrup or agave nectar (to taste)

Carbonation

  • 2 cups (16 fl oz) sparkling ginger beer or sparkling water

Others

  • Plenty of ice

Instructions

  1. Prepare Aromatics and Citrus: Zest one orange and half a lime carefully. Thinly slice both oranges, reserving half the slices for garnishing later. Cut the remaining orange slices into quarters along with the whole lime cut into quarters.
  2. Combine Liquids and Spices: In a medium saucepan, combine the unsweetened cranberry juice, apple cider, orange zest, lime zest, quartered oranges and limes, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise pods, and two fresh rosemary sprigs to start infusing flavors.
  3. Simmer for Flavor Infusion: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste the mixture and add maple syrup or agave nectar (1 to 4 tablespoons) if you want it sweeter.
  4. Cool and Strain Base: Remove the saucepan from heat and discard the spent cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and rosemary sprigs. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, about 30-60 minutes. Then strain the base using a fine-mesh sieve into a large pitcher or airtight container, pressing the solids to extract all liquid.
  5. Refrigerate for Optimal Flavor: Cover the strained base tightly and refrigerate it for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This chilling step helps deepen and meld the flavors beautifully.
  6. Prepare Garnishes: Thinly slice the reserved orange slices and apples. Toss the apple slices lightly with lemon or lime juice to prevent browning. For extra festive flair, make sugared cranberries by dipping half a cup of fresh cranberries in frothed egg white or simple syrup, rolling them in granulated sugar, and drying for 30+ minutes on parchment paper. Rinse additional rosemary sprigs for garnish.
  7. Assemble Mocktails: Fill serving glasses generously with ice. Pour the chilled cranberry-apple base into each glass, filling about two-thirds to three-quarters full. Top each glass gently with sparkling ginger beer or sparkling water to add fizz.
  8. Garnish and Serve: Add several thin orange and apple slices, a few sugared cranberries if available, and a sprig of fresh rosemary into each glass. Serve immediately to enjoy maximum fizz and freshness. Encourage guests to stir gently before sipping.
  9. Storage & Customization Tips: Store any leftover base (without sparkling component and ice) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. For larger gatherings, serve the base, sparkling water, and garnishes separately so guests can customize their drinks. Provide extra maple syrup or agave nectar and lime wedges for additional flavor adjustments.

Notes

  • For a vegan option, use sparkling water instead of ginger beer if it contains animal products.
  • Adjust sweetness with maple syrup or agave nectar to suit your taste preferences.
  • Sugared cranberry garnish adds a festive sparkle but can be omitted if preferred.
  • This mocktail is best served chilled and freshly assembled for optimal fizz and flavor.
  • Store leftover base in the refrigerator up to 4 days but add sparkling element fresh before serving.
  • Use unfiltered apple cider for richer flavor. If unavailable, regular apple juice can substitute but may be less complex.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Beverage
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

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Find it online: https://mamabrisrecipes.com/festive-cranberry-apple-mocktail-with-spiced-citrus-and-sparkling-ginger-recipe/