Name: Blood Orange Cranberry Mocktail Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ounces Blood orange juice (juice of 1 orange); 3 ounces Cranberry juice or Pom juice; 1 1/2 ounces Gin alternative; Club soda, to top; Rosemary sprig; Blood orange slice; Cranberries or pomegranate seeds

If you’re looking for a festive, refreshing drink that’s bursting with bright flavors but without the buzz, you’ve got to try this Blood Orange Cranberry Mocktail Recipe. I absolutely love how this mocktail combines the tart, juicy zing of blood oranges with the deep, rich taste of cranberry juice, all sparkling with club soda and a hint of herbal rosemary. When I first tried this, it immediately became my go-to for holiday gatherings or any time I want something special but alcohol-free. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through every step and share some tips to make it perfect every time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Vibrant and Festive: The rich red and orange hues make this mocktail as beautiful as it is delicious.
Perfect Balance of Flavors: Tart blood orange juice pairs beautifully with sweet and tangy cranberry juice.
Simple and Quick to Make: Just a few fresh ingredients and under 5 minutes from start to finish.
Great for Everyone: Uses a gin alternative so everyone at your party can enjoy the classic gin vibe without alcohol.

A clear glass filled with dark pink liquid and several large ice cubes, garnished with a small green rosemary sprig standing inside the drink, with a clear glass straw resting on the right side of the glass. Behind the glass are two bottles placed on a dark wooden surface: a tall bottle with a white label on the left and a smaller bottle with a purple label on the right. The background shows large warm yellow light spots, creating a cozy atmosphere. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Blood Orange Cranberry Mocktail, festive non-alcoholic drinks, holiday mocktail recipes, easy fruit mocktail, sparkling cranberry orange drink

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient plays a vital role in crafting this delicious mocktail — fresh juices add brightness, the gin alternative brings depth, and club soda adds that perfect sparkle. Here’s what I recommend having on hand before you start shaking things up.

Flat lay of a bright whole blood orange sliced to show its deep red interior, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fresh blood orange juice, a small white ceramic bowl of vibrant cranberry juice, a small white ceramic bowl containing clear club soda bubbles, a sprig of fresh rosemary with green needles, and a handful of glossy red cranberries scattered neatly on a simple white ceramic plate, all arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Blood Orange Cranberry Mocktail, festive non-alcoholic drinks, holiday mocktail recipes, easy fruit mocktail, sparkling cranberry orange drink

Blood orange juice: Freshly squeezed for the best flavor and vibrant color; you’ll really notice the difference from store-bought.
Cranberry juice: I like using good-quality cranberry juice or pomegranate juice for its tartness and natural sweetness.
Gin alternative: This is key to capturing that botanical flavor without the alcohol — I usually go for a non-alcoholic spirit like Seedlip or Lyre’s.
Club soda: Adds refreshing fizz and balances the sweetness; feel free to adjust to how bubbly you want your drink.
Rosemary sprig: For that aromatic herbal note and a gorgeous garnish.
Blood orange slice: A beautiful touch that also reinforces that citrusy vibe.
Cranberries or pomegranate seeds: For a festive pop of color and a little chew; I typically keep a bag in the freezer for this purpose.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how flexible this Blood Orange Cranberry Mocktail Recipe is, so I encourage you to make it your own. Tweak the ingredients or add your favorite flavors to suit your mood or occasion.

Add fresh ginger: When I’m craving a little zing, I muddle a small slice of fresh ginger at the bottom before shaking — it gives a nice warming kick.
Make it sparkling rosé style: For something a bit fancier, I swap the club soda for a sparkling non-alcoholic rosé; it’s festive and pairs wonderfully with the citrus and cranberry notes.
Use different herbs: Rosemary is my go-to, but thyme or even mint work great if you want a lighter, fresher aroma.
Sweeten it up: If you prefer sweeter drinks, a splash of honey syrup or agave helps balance the tartness beautifully.

How to Make Blood Orange Cranberry Mocktail Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients and Ice

First things first: fill a cocktail shaker right to the brim with ice cubes. This ensures the mocktail chills quickly and dilutes just enough for a perfectly balanced drink. I like using large ice cubes because they melt slower, keeping the flavors strong without watering it down.

Step 2: Add Your Juices and Gin Alternative

Pour in 2 ounces of fresh blood orange juice—this is where the magic starts with its bright color and zingy flavor. Follow that with 3 ounces of cranberry juice, which brings a lovely tart contrast. Then add 1 1/2 ounces of your favorite gin alternative, which adds those botanical gin notes without any alcohol. This combo is what makes the mocktail feel so grown-up and festive.

Step 3: Shake It Like You Mean It

Seal your shaker tightly and give it a vigorous shake for about 15 seconds. This chills everything well and blends those flavors beautifully. Don’t worry if it feels like a mini workout — it’s worth it! Once done, strain the mixture into a glass filled with fresh ice so it layers perfectly over the chill without any shards of ice or pulp.

Step 4: Top It Off and Garnish

Slowly pour club soda into the glass to your desired level of fizz. I usually go about halfway full so it keeps a nice sparkle without diluting the flavor. Then, garnish with a sprig of rosemary, a slice of blood orange, and a few cranberries or pomegranate seeds. These touches not only look stunning but add aroma and a little texture you and your guests will love.

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Pro Tips for Making Blood Orange Cranberry Mocktail Recipe

Use Fresh Juices: I discovered this trick when I switched from bottled juice—fresh blood orange juice gives the mocktail a vibrant taste and gorgeous color that’s hard to beat.
Choose Quality Gin Alternatives: Not all non-alcoholic spirits are created equal; I try a few brands to find the one that has that real gin botanical flavor without bitterness.
Shake Well but Don’t Overdo: Give it a solid 15 seconds to mix and chill, but too much shaking can over-dilute when you add club soda later.
Garnish Last: Add your rosemary and fruit garnish just before serving to keep everything fresh and visually appealing.

How to Serve Blood Orange Cranberry Mocktail Recipe

A clear glass filled with dark pink drink and several ice cubes inside, garnished with a small green rosemary sprig placed vertically in the glass. The glass is decorated with a curved slice of blood orange on the rim. The glass sits on a small square wooden board with rough bark edges. Next to the board, two slices of blood orange lie on a white marbled surface, accompanied by a small piece of rosemary. A woman's hand holds a transparent straw inside the glass. The background shows blurry golden lights creating a warm atmosphere. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Blood Orange Cranberry Mocktail, festive non-alcoholic drinks, holiday mocktail recipes, easy fruit mocktail, sparkling cranberry orange drink

Garnishes

I always use a fresh rosemary sprig because it looks so elegant and adds a wonderful piney aroma as you sip. Plus, I toss in some blood orange slices and a handful of cranberries or pomegranate seeds for that festive pop of holiday color. These little touches make a world of difference and get compliments every time.

Side Dishes

My family goes crazy for this mocktail alongside light appetizers like goat cheese crostini, roasted nuts, or a fresh charcuterie board with meats and seasonal fruits. The citrusy, tart notes perfectly cut through richer flavors, making everything taste balanced and festive.

Creative Ways to Present

For Christmas or special occasions, I like serving this drink in coupe glasses or even elegant stemless wine glasses with edible flowers on top for a wow factor. You could rim the glasses lightly with sugar mixed with orange zest for an extra touch of sweetness and sparkle that guests will adore.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any of the juice mixture leftover (before adding club soda), store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. I found it keeps the bright flavors well, just give it a quick stir before serving again.

Freezing

I haven’t tried freezing the full mocktail because the club soda would lose its fizz, but you can freeze small portions of blood orange juice and cranberry juice separately in ice cube trays to save for future drinks. Just thaw and mix fresh when ready.

Reheating

This drink is best served chilled and fizzy, so reheating isn’t recommended. If you have leftovers without club soda, just serve cold over ice and add fresh club soda to refresh the bubbles.

FAQs

Can I use bottled blood orange juice for this mocktail?

While bottled blood orange juice can work in a pinch, fresh-squeezed juice brings a much brighter flavor and a vibrant color that really elevates this mocktail. If fresh isn’t available, look for a high-quality, 100% juice option without added sugars.
What’s the best gin alternative to use?

I’ve had great results with Seedlip Grove 42 and Lyre’s Dry London Spirit because they capture the botanical flavors typical of gin without any alcohol. Try a few brands to see which one matches your palate best!
How can I make this mocktail less tart?

If you find the tartness too strong, adding a little honey syrup or agave syrup balances the flavors nicely. Also, adjusting the amount of club soda to add more fizz and dilution can mellow the intensity.
Can I make this mocktail ahead of time?

You can mix the juice and gin alternative portion ahead of time and chill it in the fridge for up to 2 days. Add club soda and garnishes just before serving to keep everything fresh and bubbly.

Final Thoughts

This Blood Orange Cranberry Mocktail Recipe has become one of my favorite ways to celebrate any season with flavor and flair — without a drop of alcohol. I love how it’s easy for everyone to enjoy, plus it’s gorgeous in a glass and tastes like a fancy cocktail. Next time you want to wow your friends or family with something fresh, festive, and totally refreshing, give this recipe a try. I promise you’ll be coming back to it again and again!

Blood Orange Cranberry Mocktail Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 57 reviews

Author: Harper
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 serving
Category: Beverage
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American
Diet: Low Calorie

Print Recipe

Description

A refreshing and festive non-alcoholic Christmas mocktail featuring a blend of blood orange juice, cranberry juice, and a gin alternative, topped with club soda and garnished with rosemary, blood orange slices, and cranberries or pomegranate seeds. Perfect for holiday gatherings and those avoiding alcohol.

Ingredients

Mocktail Base

2 ounces Blood orange juice (juice of 1 orange)
3 ounces Cranberry juice or Pom juice
1 1/2 ounces Gin alternative
Club soda, to top

Garnishes

Rosemary sprig
Blood orange slice
Cranberries or pomegranate seeds

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Instructions

Fill the shaker: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes to the brim to ensure the drink is chilled properly.
Add juices: Pour in 2 ounces of fresh blood orange juice, freshly extracted from one orange, and follow with 3 ounces of cranberry juice or Pom juice for tartness and color.
Add gin alternative: Measure and add 1 1/2 ounces of your chosen gin alternative, providing the classic botanical flavors without alcohol.
Shake vigorously: Seal the cocktail shaker tightly and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds to chill and mix all ingredients thoroughly.
Strain into glass: Strain the mixture into a prepared glass over fresh ice, allowing the liquid to flow smoothly for a clean presentation.
Top with club soda: Slowly pour club soda into the glass to add refreshing fizz, adjusting the quantity to personal preference.
Garnish and serve: Garnish with a sprig of rosemary, a slice of blood orange, and a few cranberries or pomegranate seeds for an elegant holiday touch.

Notes

Use fresh juice for the best flavor; bottled juice can be used but may reduce freshness.
The gin alternative can be any botanical non-alcoholic spirit to mimic the classic gin profile.
Adjust the amount of club soda according to your preferred level of carbonation.
For a sweeter mocktail, add a splash of simple syrup or a sweetener of choice.
Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh fizz and flavor.