Description
A festive, ruby-red mocktail bursting with tart cherry, citrus, and lively bubbles. This easy, non-alcoholic drink is perfect for holiday parties, family gatherings, or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (8 oz) cherry juice (100% pure, unsweetened)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest (optional)
- 2 cups (16 oz) sparkling water or club soda
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1–2 tablespoons simple syrup or honey (optional, to taste)
- Maraschino cherries (for garnish)
- Fresh mint leaves (for garnish, optional)
- Thin lime or orange slices (for garnish)
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients and equipment. Wash citrus fruits thoroughly and chill cherry juice and sparkling water for at least 30 minutes.
- Zest the orange using a microplane or fine grater, avoiding the white pith. Set aside 1 teaspoon of zest.
- Juice the limes to yield 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice. Remove any seeds.
- In a pitcher, combine cherry juice, lime juice, orange zest, and sweetener if desired. Stir well.
- Just before serving, add cold sparkling water or club soda to the pitcher. Stir gently to preserve the bubbles.
- Fill serving glasses with ice cubes. Pour the mocktail mixture over the ice.
- Garnish each glass with a maraschino cherry, a slice of lime or orange, and a fresh mint leaf.
- Serve immediately while bubbly and fresh. For leftovers, store the base in the fridge and add sparkling water and ice before serving.
Notes
Chill all ingredients for maximum fizz. Add sparkling water just before serving to keep bubbles lively. Adjust sweetness to taste, as cherry juice tartness varies. Garnish with care—mint and citrus add aroma and color. For parties, scale up and serve in a punch bowl. Cherry juice stains, so pour carefully.
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass (about 8 oz)
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 16
- Sodium: 10
- Carbohydrates: 18
Keywords: Christmas mocktail, cherry fizz, festive drink, non-alcoholic, holiday punch, party beverage, kid-friendly, easy mocktail, sparkling cherry drink