Make this Cranberry Mocktail recipe for your next holiday party. It’s the perfect festive mocktail for winter celebrations!

This drink recipe costs approximately $8.89 to make. The recipe makes sixteen servings and costs around $0.55 per serving.

Glasses filled with Cranberry Mocktail and garnished with cranberries and limes.

Cranberry Mocktail

Whenever I host a holiday dinner or party, I always like to make a signature mocktail for it. It needs to be something that will complement the season and the food I prepare.

This is an easy and fabulous way to add a personal touch to the party. I love serving this Cranberry Mocktail during the holiday season.

This Christmas mocktail is gorgeous! The colors scream the holidays with the floating red cranberries and green lime slices.

What You’ll Love About This Cranberry Juice Mocktail:

  • Visual Appeal: This drink is so bright and cheery. It is so festive with the cranberries and green lime slices. 
  • Sweet and Tart Flavor: The sweet flavor from the limeade concentrate, in conjunction with the tart cranberry juice, creates an amazing balance of flavors that is both delicious and refreshing. 
  • Easy Recipe: This dump-and-mix recipe is super simple, with only three ingredients needed! 
The finished Cranberry Juice and Sprite in a clear glass pitcher.

Ingredients and Estimated Cost

Per Serving Cost: $0.55

Recipe Cost: $8.89

  • 5 ounces frozen limeade concentrate – $0.91
  • 64 ounces cranberry juice – $4.99
  • 2 liters Sprite – $2.99

NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed for the recipe. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have. I updated the pricing for this recipe in October 2023.

All of the ingredients needed to make this recipe.

How To Make A Cranberry Mocktail

***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.

  1. First, add limeade concentrate to a large glass pitcher. 
  2. Pour in cranberry juice and stir to break apart the frozen concentrate.
  3. Slowly pour in the soda. 
  4. Stir again. 
  5. Finally, garnish with fresh cranberries and lime slices before serving. 

A picture collage showing how to make this recipe.

Recipe Variations and Substitutions:

  • Limeade Swap: If you can’t find limeade concentrate, you can use frozen (non-alcoholic) margarita concentrate. It’s essentially the same!
  • Citrus Twist: Add a splash of fresh orange juice or swap the limeade concentrate for orange juice concentrate to create a cranberry-orange mocktail.
  • Sparkling Water: Substitute Sprite with flavored sparkling water for a lighter, less sweet version.
  • Herbal Infusion: Add a rosemary or thyme sprig for a herbal twist, or muddle some fresh mint leaves for a refreshing herbal flavor.
  • Ginger Zing: Mix in some ginger ale to give your mocktail a delightful ginger-spice kick.
  • Cranberry-Apple: Combine cranberry juice with apple juice or cider for a delicious blend of fruity flavors.
  • Cinnamon Spice: Sprinkle a pinch of ground cinnamon or add a cinnamon stick for a warm, aromatic touch.

Cranberry Mocktail Serving and Storage Tips:

SERVE: I suggest making this no more than 1 hour ahead of time. You don’t want the soda to go flat because it will take away the sparkling effect! Add the lime slices right before serving, not before, because they’ll take on the red cranberry color.

STORE: The Mocktail will keep in the refrigerator for 24 hours.

FREEZE: Because of the carbonated soda, this recipe will not freeze and defrost well.

An overhead of Cranberry Juice Mocktail in classes.

Cranberry Juice Mocktail Recipe FAQs:

What is a cranberry mocktail?

A cranberry mocktail is full of tart cranberry flavor without any alcohol. In my recipe, I add frozen limeade concentrate and Sprite for a hint of sweetness to balance the tart cranberry flavor. 

Why is it called mocktail?

This name was given to drinks without alcohol. An alcoholic drink is called a cocktail, so because the word mock means fake, it seems appropriate to call a non-alcoholic drink a mocktail.

Is it OK to eat cranberries raw?

They are mostly for garnish in this drink but can be consumed safely. Raw cranberries are bitter in taste, so not everyone enjoys them, but they are ok to eat.

More Drinks Recipes

Make this Cranberry Limeade Sparkling Cocktail for your next holiday party. It's to perfect festive mocktail for Christmas and New Year's!
5 from 2 votes

Cranberry Mocktail

Recipe Cost $ $8.89
Serving Cost $ $0.55
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
16 people
Make this Cranberry Limeade Sparkling Mocktail recipe for your next holiday party. It’s to perfect festive mocktail for Christmas and New Year’s!

Equipment

  • Measuring cups
  • large pitcher
  • mixing spoon
  • cutting board
  • paring knife

Ingredients
 
 

  • 5 ounces frozen limeade concentrate
  • 64 ounces cranberry juice
  • 2 liters Sprite

GARNISHES:

  • fresh cranberries optional
  • lime slices optional

Instructions

  • In a large glass pitcher, add limeade concentrate.
  • Pour in cranberry juice.
  • Stir the mixture to break apart the frozen limeade concentrate.
  • Slowly pour in soda and give it another quick stir.
  • Garnish with fresh cranberries and lime slices, both optional.
  • Serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 90kcal | Carbohydrates: 22.9g | Sodium: 24mg | Sugar: 22g

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Cranberry mocktail garnished with fresh cranberries and lime slices.

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5 Comments

  1. Katherine says:

    Hi Jillian,

    I love your Cranberry Limeade Sparkling Mocktail recipe.

    1. Sure. thank you. 🙂

  2. I love this recipe, I even like making it during the summer.

  3. How could you make this mocktail for one person.

    1. Hi Sherba, for one person you’d need
      0.33 ounce frozen limeade concentrate
      4 ounces cranberry juice
      4 ounces Sprite

      Enjoy! 🙂