If you are looking for an easy and refreshing drink for the holidays that even the kids can enjoy, then try this Cranberry Maple & Rosemary Mocktail. The vibrant red color makes it perfect for the festive season!

This year we have been actually able to go to a few small holiday parties (unlike last year) so that has been nice. But whenever we go to these parties, we always struggle with the drinks option. Needless to say there are always lots of alcoholic options on the menu but not much it comes to non-alcoholic drinks. I wish there’s more on the menu than soda, iced tea and lemonade!

You guys really loved the orange rosemary mocktail recipe that I shared for Diwali. It was wonderful to see all the pictures and how that mocktail was a part of your Diwali menu. And because you guys loved that so much, I knew I had to share one for Christmas too.

This is a similar mocktail but since this one was for Christmas, I changed the flavors accordingly. There’s cranberry juice in place of orange juice, maple syrup in place of sugar, and all spice in place of all the Indian spices. Of course fresh rosemary to make it all fragrant and festive for the holidays.

This is a drink that everyone can enjoy at your holiday party. I know that if we would find this at a holiday party that we attend, we would be delighted. Especially Sarvesh! He doesn’t even drink tea/coffee or soda so he’s mostly stuck with water or lemonade which again he isn’t very fond of.

Ingredients

You need few simple ingredients to make this mocktail!

Cranberry Juice: use pure cranberry juice which doesn’t have any added sugar to it.

Maple syrup: adds a wonderful flavor to this drink You may substitute with honey or sugar in place.

Rosemary: I love infusing holidays drinks with rosemary, use fresh rosemary here since the flavor it imparts is much superior to the dried one.

All spice: I add a pinch of all spice but you can also add a pinch of cinnamon in place.

This drink is topped with soda to make it all bubbly and fizzy!

Step by Step Instructions

1- First, we will make the maple rosemary simple syrup. To a pan on medium heat, add water, maple syrup and 2-3 twigs of fresh rosemary. Let it heat up (no boiling needed), and once warm turn off the heat. Cover the pan with a plate and let it sit for around 20 to 30 minutes for the flavors to steep in. This makes enough for 4 to 5 drinks depending on how large or small your glasses are and how such syrup would you add to each drink.

2- Once the flavors are well infused, it’s time to make the drink. For 1 drink, to a cocktail shaker, add 1 to 2 ounces of the prepared syrup (1 oz for a less sweeter mocktail).

3- Then add 2 ounces of cranberry juice (use unsweetened juice).

4- Add generous pinch of all spice.

5- Now close the shaker and shake few times until everything is well combined.

6- To your glass, now add few ice cubes and few fresh cranberries. Then fill the glass with the drink.

7- Top with 2 to 3 ounces of soda water.

8- Garnish with a fresh twig of rosemary!

Other Juice Options

If you don’t have cranberry juice or don’t like it, you can also use pomegranate juice. Apple juice is another option but use very less of the simple syrup then since apple juice is sweeter than cranberry juice.

For all the juices, use pure juice which is free of any added sugar.

Customize To Taste

The sweetness in this juice can be adjusted to taste. If you prefer a sweeter mocktail, use 2 ounces of the syrup. For a less sweeter mocktail, use only 1 ounce.

If you are using a sweeter juice like pomegranate, I will use just the 1 ounce. Cranberry juice is quite tart so 2 ounces works well here.

Make In Advance

You can make the maple rosemary syrup in advance and keep it refrigerated. It will be good for a week (or even more)! Once that’s done you can simply make the drink on the day of your party. Add the soda right before serving. Hope you guys give this a try for the holidays!

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