A sparkling, ginger-spiced cranberry drink that feels like a holiday cocktail — without the alcohol. I tested it using both ginger beer and ginger ale; ginger beer gives a more authentic, spicy kick.

Ingredients (Serves 1)

Ingredient	Amount
Unsweetened cranberry juice	2 oz (60 ml)
Fresh lime juice	½ oz (about ½ lime)
Ginger beer (non-alcoholic) or ginger ale	4–5 oz (120–150 ml)
Simple syrup or honey (optional)	½–1 tsp (to taste)
Crushed or cubed ice	As needed
Garnishes	Fresh cranberries, lime wedge, rosemary or thyme sprig

Swaps & Notes

Need	Swap	Note
No added sugar	Skip syrup and use cranberry juice cocktail instead	Naturally sweeter
No ginger beer	Use sparkling water with a dash of ground ginger	Mild but refreshing
Low-calorie	Use diet ginger beer or unsweetened sparkling water	Keep lime for brightness
Fruitier	Add a splash (1 oz) of apple cider or orange juice	Seasonal flavor boost

Step-By-Step Instructions

Fill mug or glass with ice. Copper mugs keep it frosty, but any glass works.
Mix. Add cranberry juice, lime juice, and optional syrup. Stir gently.
Top with ginger beer. Pour slowly to preserve fizz. Stir once. Garnish with cranberries and rosemary.

Tested twice; best flavor balance when using 4 oz ginger beer to 2 oz cranberry juice.

Pro Tips & Variations

Chill all ingredients before mixing — it keeps the fizz strong.
For a crowd batch, combine juices in a pitcher and top with ginger beer right before serving.
Add a few frozen cranberries instead of ice cubes for a colorful touch.
For a spiced version, simmer ½ cup cranberry juice with 1 cinnamon stick and 2 thyme sprigs for 5 minutes; cool, then use that syrup base.
Use fresh lime juice for brightness — bottled juice tastes flat.

Serving Suggestions

Perfect with Thanksgiving turkey, stuffing, or roasted vegetables.
Serve in copper mugs for tradition or in clear glasses to show off the crimson color.
Add rosemary, thyme, or orange peel for an herbal holiday aroma.

Storage & Reheating

Make-ahead: Mix cranberry and lime juices (no ginger beer) up to 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.
Just before serving: Add ginger beer for bubbles.
Leftovers: Best consumed fresh; carbonation fades after 1 hour.

FAQs

Q1: Can I make this in a big batch for a party?
Yes. Mix 2 cups cranberry juice + ½ cup lime juice in a pitcher. Chill. Add 1 quart ginger beer right before serving.

Q2: Is ginger beer alcoholic?
Most grocery-store ginger beers are non-alcoholic (like Reed’s, Fever-Tree, or Bundaberg). Always check the label.

Q3: How do I make it less tart?
Use cranberry cocktail instead of unsweetened juice or add ½ teaspoon honey or syrup.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: ~80; Carbs: 20g; Sugar: 18g; Protein: 0g; Fat: 0g

Sparkling Ginger-Spiced Cranberry Drink

Author: mixturarecipes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 serving 1x
Diet: Vegan

Print Recipe

Description

A refreshing, alcohol-free cranberry drink with a spicy kick from ginger beer — perfect for holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

2 oz (60 ml) Unsweetened cranberry juice
½ oz (about ½ lime) Fresh lime juice
4–5 oz (120–150 ml) Ginger beer (non-alcoholic) or ginger ale
½–1 tsp (to taste) Simple syrup or honey (optional)
Crushed or cubed ice, as needed
Garnishes: Fresh cranberries, lime wedge, rosemary or thyme sprig

Instructions

Fill a mug or glass with ice.
Add cranberry juice, lime juice, and optional syrup; stir gently.
Pour slowly with ginger beer to preserve fizz; stir once and garnish with cranberries and rosemary.

Notes

Chill all ingredients before mixing for stronger fizz. For a batch, mix juices in a pitcher and top with ginger beer right before serving.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Beverage
Method: Mixing
Cuisine: Holiday Drinks

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 80
Sugar: 18g
Sodium: 10mg
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: cranberry drink, holiday beverage, non-alcoholic cocktail, ginger drink

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