I concocted these holiday mocktails to celebrate Christmas break because I was super excited to have three of our college-age grandkids over for dinner this week.
I was feeling the holiday spirit, so I rounded up some highball glasses, an adorable serving tray, frozen cranberries, cranberry juice, oranges, ginger ale, red sanding sugar, and a few sprigs of rosemary! I think the look and the taste just say, "Hello, Christmas!"
Cranberries freeze perfectly right in the bag, and I have a few bags tucked away in the deep freeze as insurance so that I can always whip up something using my favorite red berries!
They are fun and festive, but there are many good reasons to have a recipe or two for mocktails handy in an apron pocket! I love that word: festive!
Make holiday mocktails, and be sure everyone is included! Not everyone drinks alcohol, whether due to personal preference, health reasons, or other factors.
Offering mocktails ensures that all guests who have chosen to avoid alcohol for any reason, including designated drivers, pregnant women, and underage individuals, can enjoy a flavorful and special beverage.
Holiday mocktails add variety to the drink menu, providing alternatives to traditional alcoholic beverages. They can be just as creative, flavorful, and visually appealing as cocktails, offering a diverse range of tastes and textures.
It's important to provide options for designated drivers or guests who must remain sober to drive safely. Mocktails ensure that everyone has enjoyable options without feeling left out.
They're creative! Mocktails can be aesthetically pleasing and creatively presented, adding to the overall ambiance of the party. Garnishes, glassware, and unique serving styles can make the non-alcoholic beverages just as visually appealing as their alcoholic counterparts.
A good host will always be concerned about making guests feel comfortable and catered to. Providing mocktails demonstrates thoughtfulness and consideration for varying preferences among your guests and ensures everyone will feel included and have fun!
Combine a quart of one hundred percent cranberry juice with the juice of one large orange, several slices of orange, and about a cup of frozen cranberries in a pitcher. The frozen cranberries are pretty, and they help keep the drink cold.
Pour red sanding sugar (or white or green) on a small plate to get the pretty edge on the glasses. This is the same sanding sugar we use to decorate Christmas cookies! Wet the rim of the glass, invert it into the sugar, and twist. Tap off any excess sugar and let the glasses dry. I was so pleased with how well the sugar stayed in place!
I made the pretty garnishes by threading chunks of orange and cranberries on a long toothpick, cutting a slit in an orange slice, and setting it on the rim of the glass. The sprig of rosemary adds a pretty pop of green and some wintery flavor.
Pout the cranberry juice mixture into the prepared glasses.
Then top with ginger ale and stir ever so lightly so you keep as much fizz as possible! Serve your holiday mocktails immediately.
This recipe could be varied to suit your taste. For example, you could add some pomegranate juice and use Sprtite or 7UP in place of the ginger ale! Don't hesitate to experiment with other beverages like limeade or lime Hawaiian Punch and mix it with cherries for another classic holiday color pairing!
A pretty and festive mocktail with cranberry juice, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and ginger ale.
We absolutely love the holiday season and love making special foods for the family. There's nothing better than sharing meals to create strong bonds and great memories.
We love to eat Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs and Grammy's Wonderful Ham Balls! I hope you will try them both!
In all the hustle and bustle, please remember the one true reason we celebrate this holiday: find time to slow down and enjoy some meaningful time with your loved ones. Christmas is a gift and was never meant to be a burden!
If you liked this recipe, you are my people! If you like this recipe, please share it on your social media accounts like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter! It would sure tickle me, and I would be ever so grateful!
If you haven't already, please look for me on Facebook and Pinterest, where I will share easy, delicious, family-friendly recipes every week!
Love, GB (Betty Streff)
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