Cranberry Blood Orange Mocktail

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Celebrate the start of a new year with a delicious drink that is as elegant as it is refreshing. This mocktail combines the seasonal flavors of cranberries and citrus fruit with sweet notes of vanilla and honey along with a touch of warm cinnamon.

The Cranberry Blood Orange Mocktail was dreamed up on a cold winter’s day using ingredients I already had hanging around my home.

As with most holidays in 2020, I promised myself that I would make an effort to get into the spirit as much as I possibly could for the holiday festivities, even if that meant ringing in the New Year at home with just my little family.

A can of ginger ale, some fresh-squeezed orange juice, and a generous helping of cranberry juice later, the cranberry & blood orange drink of my dreams was born.

Blood Oranges

Citrus fruits are plentiful in December, and I’ve been addicted to citrusy recipes lately, so I couldn’t resist the chance to scoop up some gorgeous blood oranges during my most recent grocery delivery.

Blood oranges get their name from the dark red-orange colored flesh that they harbor inside. Not only are they beautiful, they taste absolutely divine too.

A blood orange definitely tastes like an orange, but with a touch of a berry-like taste that adds an additional layer of sweetness to the fruit.

Combined with cranberry juice and a few other aromatic ingredients, blood oranges contribute to a mouthwatering tropical punch-like flavor profile that’ll have you dreaming of an island escape in the dead of winter.

Making a mocktail

Whether you’re a consumer of alcoholic beverages or not, I’m certain that you’ll love the taste of this cranberry-orange concoction.

When making a mocktail, there are two goals that I like to keep in mind:

1. Make it elegant.
2. Make it alcohol-free.

There are lots of different ways to replace the flavors of spirits in many cocktails. In this orange and cranberry cocktail, vanilla extract and honey allow the to take on a flavor that is reminiscent of a sweet bourbon.

It’s the perfect compliment to the bold flavors of orange and cranberry.

An element of something sparkling like ginger ale added to the mix and a pinch of spicy cinnamon makes this mocktail fun and provides a slightly warming effect.

You could even call this a breakfast mocktail (it’s basically a mimosa anyway!). Since the flavors are so intense, I’d recommend pairing it with something not-too-sweet to eat, like a slice of pumpkin bread or a bran muffin.

Substitute for Cranberry Juice

If you don’t have cranberry juice around, or you need to find a substitute for another reason, there are plenty of options. Try one of these juices in place of the cranberry stuff:

• Pomegranate juice
• Blueberry juice
• Red grape juice
• Raspberry juice
• Cherry juice

Other substitutes that you can make if you don’t have all of these ingredients on hand include sparkling apple/white grape juice or your favorite sparkling water for the ginger ale. You could even use tonic water or Sprite/7-Up if preferred.

I recommend using fresh-squeezed orange juice if possible, but you can totally use bottled orange juice if needed.

Try these other recipes that are perfect for your next holiday event:

• Mini Toasts with White Cheddar, Apple, and Honey
• Blackberry Honey Mustard Pretzel Dip
• Oven Roasted Pears with Cinnamon Caramel Sauce
• Spicy Feta and Balsamic Heirloom Tomato Tart

If you tried this mocktail recipe, I’d love to hear how it went for you. Please share your thoughts by leaving a star rating and a comment below!