This cranberry mint sparkling lemonade is a refreshing and festive way to celebrate the holiday season! It’s made with fresh lemon juice, cranberries, and a splash of elderflower tonic water. It’s a great way to have a fancy drink without any of the alcohol. Make it for a party or when you feel like having a quick drink!
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Cranberry Mint Sparkling Lemonade
In search of a festive drink for the holidays? This cranberry mint sparkling lemonade is a refreshing way to enjoy the flavors of the season. It uses basic bar tools, and of course, takes no time at all to make. The sugar rim balances out the tartness of the lemonade, while the garnish adds a bit of fancy flair. And the elderflower tonic water gives it that special something as well as some nice bubbles.
For those of you who are non-alcoholic drinkers like us, this cranberry mint sparkling lemonade is a great way to enjoy a fancy drink without the buzz. Whether you’ve got guests that don’t drink or you want to kick back with something fancy, this drink is sure to be a hit. And if you do feel inclined to some alcohol to your drink, we have a few suggestions for you below!
Ingredients
- Cranberries: This drink uses whole cranberries that are muddled with fresh mint. If you have frozen cranberries, let them thaw before using.
- Mint: Fresh mint leaves are muddled with the cranberries. You can also add more inside your drink for a stronger mint flavor.
- Cranberry Juice: Make sure to get 100% cranberry juice with no added sugar.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: We highly recommend using fresh lemon juice since it has a better taste. One drink uses about 1 lemon’s worth of juice.
- Simple Syrup: We use Barsmith simple syrup, but feel free to use homemade if you want. Just be sure that it doesn’t have any other flavors in it.
- Elderflower Tonic Water: You can find this at most grocery stores and specialty stores. They usually comes in glass bottles or in small cans. For this drink, we used a whole 5 oz can of tonic water.
- Granulated Sugar: This is used for making the sugar rim. Add a bit to a small, shallow bowl and tap the wet rim into it.
FAQ
Fill the bottom of a small plate or shallow bowl with granulated sugar. Then take a slice of lemon and make a small cut halfway down the center as if you are going to use it as a garnish. Place the cut part on the rim of the glass and run it along the rim until covered with juice. Remove the lemon and tap the rim of the glass in the sugar. DO NOT twist the glass in the sugar. This will only cause it to rub off rather than stick.
For larger drinks like this one, we like to use a highball or Collins glass. Shorter glasses won’t hold as much liquid as this one requires. Especially once you add the tonic water.
Sure! Add a splash of your favorite spirit. We recommend gin or vodka for this one!
– Muddler
– Cocktail Shaker
– Strainers
More Non-Alcoholic Drinks You’ll Love
If you like fruity drinks, this Clover Club Cocktail uses fresh raspberries!
A Few Tips
- If you like your drinks a little sweeter, use 1 oz of simple syrup instead.
- For a stronger mint flavor, add a few leaves to the glass before filling it with ice.
- We highly recommend adding the sugar rim since it balances out the tartness of the lemonade. Adding a few fresh cranberries and a sprig of mint on top also adds a nice touch.
- For an ultra frosty look, place your glass in the fridge while you make the drink.
Recipe
Cranberry Mint Sparkling Lemonade
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drinks, Non-Alcoholic
- Method: Muddle, Shaken
- Cuisine: American
Description
Gone are the days where non-alcoholic drinks are boring. This cranberry mint sparkling lemonade has the perfect balance of sweet and tart. It’s super refreshing and makes the perfect addition to any holiday party!
Ingredients
- Granulated sugar
- 8 whole cranberries
- 12 mint leaves
- 1 ½ oz (45 ml) lemon juice
- 1 ½ oz (45 ml) 100% cranberry juice, no sugar added
- ¾ oz (23 ml) simple syrup
- Elderflower tonic water*
Instructions
- Line the rim of a glass with granulated sugar and set aside (see the FAQ section above for how to make a sugar rim).
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle the cranberries and mint leaves for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.
- Add the lemon juice, cranberry juice, simple syrup, and ice.
- Shake for 15-20 seconds or until the cocktail shaker is frosty.
- Double strain over a glass filled with ice and top with elderflower tonic water.
- Garnish with a sprig of mint and a few cranberries.
Notes
Elderflower tonic water: We used a whole 5 oz (150 ml) can, but feel free to add more or less.
We used crushed ice in our drink, but cubed ice is fine too.
Nutrition information is only an estimate.
Keywords: cranberry mint sparkling lemonade, virgin cocktails, cranberry mocktail, cranberry and lemon juice
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