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Cozy Sparkling Cranberry Apple Cider Mocktail

cozy sparkling cranberry apple cider mocktail - featured image
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A festive and refreshing non-alcoholic drink made with cranberry juice, apple cider, and a homemade rosemary simple syrup. Perfect for holiday gatherings, this mocktail is quick to prepare and loved by all ages.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 3–4 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 2 cups unsweetened cranberry juice
  • 1 cup apple cider (unfiltered preferred)
  • 1 medium apple (Honeycrisp or Fuji), thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup fresh cranberries (optional)
  • 2 cups sparkling water or club soda, chilled
  • Ice cubes
  • 4–6 fresh rosemary sprigs (for garnish)
  • Apple slices (for garnish)
  • Additional fresh cranberries (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Make the rosemary simple syrup: In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves (2-3 minutes). Add 3-4 sprigs fresh rosemary, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep for 5-10 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a heat-safe bowl or jar. Discard rosemary sprigs. Let cool to room temperature.
  2. Prepare the fruit: While syrup cools, wash and thinly slice the apple (about 1/8-inch thick). If using fresh cranberries, rinse and discard any soft or shriveled ones. Set aside some apple slices and cranberries for garnish.
  3. Mix the mocktail base: In a pitcher, combine cranberry juice, apple cider, and 1/4 cup of the rosemary simple syrup. Stir well. Taste and adjust sweetness or tartness as desired.
  4. Assemble and serve: Fill glasses with ice cubes. Pour mocktail base about 2/3 full. Top each glass with about 1/4 cup sparkling water. Gently stir. Add a few apple slices and cranberries to each glass. Slap a fresh rosemary sprig between your palms to release oils, then place in the glass as garnish.
  5. Finishing touch: For extra visual appeal, thread cranberries onto a toothpick or small skewer and balance across the rim. Fan an apple slice on the rim. Serve immediately.

Notes

Make the rosemary simple syrup up to 2 weeks ahead and store in the fridge. The mocktail base (without sparkling water) can be made a day ahead. Always add sparkling water at the last minute to keep the fizz. For a warm version, skip the sparkling water and ice, and serve the base warm. For an alcoholic version, add 1-2 ounces of vodka, gin, or bourbon per glass.

Nutrition

Keywords: mocktail, cranberry apple cider, holiday drink, non-alcoholic, rosemary syrup, sparkling drink, winter beverage

Find it online: https://sparklechew.com/cozy-sparkling-cranberry-apple-cider-mocktail/