Description
Cranberry Cider Mocktail – This naturally-sweetened fall mocktail recipe is perfect for your holiday table or holiday parties! Make just one or two glasses, or a whole pitcher to enjoy! (Paleo + Vegan)
Ingredients
Scale
FOR THE CRANBERRY SYRUP/SAUCE:
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1/4 cup orange juice (good-quality or freshly squeezed)
- 1/2 cup honey or agave (can sub sugar)
- 1/8 tsp. cinnamon
- tiny pinch salt (1/16th tsp.)
FOR ONE MOCKTAIL:
- 1 oz. (2 Tbsp.) cranberry syrup
- 2 oz. (1/4 cup) apple cider
- 2 oz. (1/4 cup) sparkling water
- Your favorite garnishes–ice, orange slices, cranberries, rosemary sprigs, etc.
FOR ONE PITCHER (ABOUT 5 CUPS):
- 1 cup cranberry syrup (this is the entire batch)
- 2 cups apple cider
- 2 cups sparkling water
- Your favorite garnishes–ice, orange slices, cranberries, rosemary sprigs, etc.
Instructions
FOR THE CRANBERRY SYRUP/SAUCE:
- In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, orange juice, honey/agave, cinnamon, and salt.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook, stirring regularly for 10-12 minutes, or until the cranberries have burst and the mixture has thickened somewhat. (I use the back of a spoon or spatula to help the berries along as they cook.)
- Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve so the cranberry sauce is smooth. Discard the leftover solids or set aside to use in a different way. You should have about 1 cup of cranberry sauce remaining.
- Chill sauce until you’re ready to use. (Cranberry sauce will stay fresh in the refrigerator up to 1 week, or in the freezer up to 2 months.)
FOR ONE GLASS:
- Add cranberry syrup and apple cider to a glass. Stir with a straw or drink stirrer until combined. (It should be pretty smooth–almost like a freckled lemonade with small bits of berry)
- Top off the glass with 2 oz. sparkling water.
- Garnish with ice, orange slices, cranberries, rosemary, etc. as desired.
FOR A PITCHER (ABOUT 5 CUPS):
- Add cranberry syrup and apple cider to a pitcher. Stir with a spoon or drink stirrer until combined. (It should be pretty smooth–almost like a freckled lemonade with small bits of berry)
- Top off the pitcher with 2 cups sparkling water.
- Garnish with ice, orange slices, cranberries, rosemary, etc. as desired before serving.
Notes
*IF MAKING IN ADVANCE: you can combine the cranberry sauce and cider well in advance (up to several days), but don’t add the sparkling water until right before serving to preserve the bubbles.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Drink
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American