Cranberry Lemon Drop Mocktail (Bright, Festive & Easy)

This Cranberry Lemon Drop Mocktail is everything you want in a festive drink: bright, tart, and surprisingly simple. It’s a beautiful ruby color that looks great on a holiday table or at a casual brunch. The flavor hits that sweet-spot balance of tangy lemon and juicy cranberry with a soft sparkle.

You’ll get all the fun of a cocktail without the alcohol—perfect for everyone at the party.

What Makes This Special

• Big flavor, no alcohol: Zesty lemon, bold cranberry, and a touch of sweetness make it feel grown-up without the buzz.
• Fast and fuss-free: Shake, pour, and garnish. That’s it.
• Picture-perfect: A sugared rim and fresh cranberries make it look like you spent time on it.
• Make-one or batch-it: Works great for a single glass or a pitcher.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces cranberry juice (100% juice preferred)
• 1½ ounces fresh lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
• 1–1½ ounces simple syrup (adjust to taste)
• 2–3 ounces sparkling water or club soda (chilled)
• Ice for shaking and serving
• Sugar and lemon zest for the rim (optional)
• Fresh cranberries and a lemon wheel or twist for garnish

How to Make It

1. Prepare the rim: Mix 1 tablespoon sugar with a pinch of lemon zest on a small plate. Run a lemon wedge around the rim of a chilled coupe or rocks glass, then dip the rim into the sugar mixture.
2. Shake the base: In a cocktail shaker, add cranberry juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup with a handful of ice.

   Shake for 10–12 seconds until chilled.

3. Strain and top: Strain into your prepared glass filled with fresh ice (or serve up in a coupe without ice). Top with sparkling water to taste.
4. Garnish: Add a lemon wheel and a few cranberries on a pick for a festive finish.
5. Taste and tweak: Add more simple syrup if you prefer sweeter, or more lemon for extra tang.

Storage Instructions

• Mix ahead: Combine cranberry juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup up to 24 hours in advance. Keep chilled in a sealed jar.
• Add bubbles last: Top with sparkling water right before serving to keep it fizzy.
• Leftovers: If already mixed with sparkling water, store covered in the fridge and enjoy within a few hours.

  It will lose some fizz but still taste good.

Why This is Good for You

• Vitamin C boost: Lemon juice supports immune health and adds refreshing brightness.
• Antioxidants: Cranberry juice provides polyphenols that support overall wellness.
• Lower sugar option: You control the sweetness. Use less syrup or a zero-sugar sweetener if desired.
• Hydration-friendly: Sparkling water keeps it light and refreshing without heavy calories.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using cranberry cocktail instead of 100% juice: It can make the drink too sweet and flat. Adjust if that’s all you have.
• Skipping fresh lemon: Bottled lemon juice won’t give the same bright flavor.

  Fresh really matters here.

• Over-diluting: Too much sparkling water can wash out the taste. Start with 2 ounces, then build.
• Not chilling ingredients: Warm juice dulls the flavor. Keep everything cold for the crispest result.

Recipe Variations

• Rosemary Sparkle: Add a small rosemary sprig to the shaker and use as garnish for a woodsy aroma.
• Ginger Twist: Swap sparkling water for ginger beer or ginger ale for a spicy kick.
• Orange Glow: Add 1 ounce fresh orange juice and a dash of orange bitters (NA) for a softer, rounder finish.
• Frozen Slush: Blend the base with a cup of ice, then top with a splash of sparkling water.
• Low-Sugar: Use 0.5–0.75 ounce simple syrup or a few drops of liquid stevia/monk fruit to taste.
• Herbal Honey: Replace simple syrup with honey syrup (equal parts honey and hot water) for floral sweetness.

FAQ

Can I make this into a big-batch mocktail?

Yes.

For 8 servings, mix 2 cups cranberry juice, 1.5 cups lemon juice, and 1 to 1.25 cups simple syrup in a pitcher. Chill, then pour 4–6 ounces per glass and top with sparkling water.

What if I don’t have a cocktail shaker?

Use a mason jar with a tight lid. Add ice, shake, then strain through a small sieve or the jar lid.

Is there a way to make it sweeter without using more sugar?

Try adding a splash of orange juice or using a zero-calorie sweetener.

Adjust gradually until it tastes balanced.

Which cranberry juice should I buy?

Look for 100% cranberry juice or a blend labeled “no added sugar.” If using cranberry cocktail, reduce the simple syrup.

Can I add alcohol for guests who want it?

Sure. Vodka is classic. Add 1–1.5 ounces per serving before shaking.

Keep a separate batch alcohol-free for everyone else.

Wrapping Up

This Cranberry Lemon Drop Mocktail is bright, festive, and incredibly easy to make. It looks stunning, tastes balanced, and fits any occasion from holiday parties to weeknight treats. Keep the base chilled, add bubbles at the last minute, and you’ll have a reliable, crowd-pleasing sip every time.

Cheers to a drink that’s simple, celebratory, and refreshingly alcohol-free.

Cranberry Lemon Drop Mocktail (Bright, Festive & Easy) - A Refreshing Party Sipper

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Servings 2 servings

Ingredients

  

• 2 ounces cranberry juice (100% juice preferred)
• 1½ ounces fresh lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
• 1–1½ ounces simple syrup (adjust to taste)
• 2–3 ounces sparkling water or club soda (chilled)
• Ice for shaking and serving
• Sugar and lemon zest for the rim (optional)
• Fresh cranberries and a lemon wheel or twist for garnish

Instructions

 

• Prepare the rim: Mix 1 tablespoon sugar with a pinch of lemon zest on a small plate. Run a lemon wedge around the rim of a chilled coupe or rocks glass, then dip the rim into the sugar mixture.
• Shake the base: In a cocktail shaker, add cranberry juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup with a handful of ice.Shake for 10–12 seconds until chilled.
• Strain and top: Strain into your prepared glass filled with fresh ice (or serve up in a coupe without ice). Top with sparkling water to taste.
• Garnish: Add a lemon wheel and a few cranberries on a pick for a festive finish.
• Taste and tweak: Add more simple syrup if you prefer sweeter, or more lemon for extra tang.