Name: Thanksgiving Cranberry-Apple Sparkling Mocktail Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 4 h 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 cups (32 fl oz) unsweetened 100% pure cranberry juice; 4 cups (32 fl oz) unfiltered apple cider; 2 cups (16 fl oz) sparkling ginger beer or sparkling water; 2 medium navel oranges (zest of one, slices for garnish); 1 medium lime (zest of half, juice); 1 cup fresh cranberries (for garnish); 1-2 firm apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji), thinly sliced for garnish; Plenty of ice; 4-5 whole cinnamon sticks; 1 tsp whole cloves; 3-4 star anise pods; 4-6 fresh rosemary sprigs; 2-4 tbsp maple syrup or agave nectar (optional, to taste)

Ingredients

4 cups (32 fl oz) unsweetened 100% pure cranberry juice

4 cups (32 fl oz) unfiltered apple cider

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

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

1 cup fresh cranberries (for garnish)

1-2 firm apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji), thinly sliced for garnish

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

Plenty of ice

Instructions

Step 1: Zest one orange and half the lime. Thinly slice both oranges, reserving half the slices for garnish. Cut the remaining orange slices and the entire lime into quarters.

Step 2: In a medium saucepan, combine cranberry juice, apple cider, orange zest, lime zest, quartered orange and lime pieces, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise pods, and 2 rosemary sprigs.

Step 3: Heat the mixture over medium, bringing it to a gentle simmer. Let it simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and add maple syrup or agave nectar if you prefer it sweeter.

Step 4: Remove from heat and discard the cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and rosemary sprigs. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature (about 30–60 minutes), then strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a large pitcher, pressing solids to extract all liquid. Discard solids.

Step 5: Cover the pitcher tightly and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to chill and deepen flavors.

Step 6: Prepare garnishes by thinly slicing reserved oranges and apples. Toss apple slices lightly with lime juice to prevent browning. For sugared cranberries, dip ½ cup cranberries in frothed egg white or simple syrup, roll in sugar, and dry on parchment for 30+ minutes. Rinse remaining rosemary sprigs.

Step 7: Fill serving glasses with plenty of ice. Pour the chilled cranberry-apple base into each glass, filling about two-thirds to three-quarters full. Top gently with sparkling ginger beer or sparkling water.

Step 8: Garnish each glass with a few orange and apple slices, sugared cranberries if using, and a fresh rosemary sprig. Serve immediately for the best fizz and freshness, encouraging guests to stir gently.

Step 9: Store leftover base (without sparkling water or ice) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. For large gatherings, serve base, sparkling component, and garnishes separately to let guests customize their drinks. Offer extra maple syrup or lime wedges for added flavor.

Tips & Variations

Use sparkling water instead of ginger beer for a milder, less sweet version.

Try different apple varieties for garnish to vary sweetness and texture.

Sugared cranberries add festive sparkle and a touch of extra sweetness.

Adjust maple syrup or agave nectar to your preferred sweetness level.

For a warm version, serve the spiced juice base heated without the sparkling water.

Storage

Store the spiced cranberry-apple base in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Do not add ice or sparkling water before storing. When ready to serve, add ice and sparkling ginger beer or water to maintain fizz and freshness. Reheat the base gently if serving warm, avoiding boiling to preserve flavor.

FAQs

Can I make this mocktail ahead of time?

Yes, the flavored base can be prepared a day or two in advance and refrigerated to let the flavors meld. Add sparkling water and ice just before serving for best results.

Is sparkling ginger beer alcoholic?

Most sparkling ginger beers used in mocktails are non-alcoholic, but always check the label to be sure. You can substitute sparkling water to keep it completely alcohol-free.