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Thanksgiving Mocktail: Festive & Non-Alcoholic Cranberry-Ginger Sparkler Recipe

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  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 0h 30m
  • Cook Time: 0h 15m
  • Total Time: 0h 45m
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Category: Beverage
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Thanksgiving Mocktail is a festive and refreshing non-alcoholic drink perfect for holiday gatherings. Combining tart cranberry and fresh orange juices with a warm spiced ginger-cinnamon-star anise syrup, finished with sparkling water and beautiful garnishes, this mocktail offers both vibrant flavors and visual appeal. It’s easy to prepare in advance and ideal for serving a crowd with a sophisticated seasonal touch.

Ingredients

Scale

Syrup Ingredients

  • 1 cup (240ml) water
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large piece (4 inches) fresh ginger, peeled & thinly sliced
  • 3-4 cinnamon sticks (approx. 3 inches each)
  • 5-6 whole star anise pods
  • 1 teaspoon whole cloves

Mocktail Ingredients

  • 3 cups (720ml) 100% pure cranberry juice, unsweetened or low sugar
  • 1.5 cups (360ml) fresh orange juice
  • 2 cups (480ml) sparkling water, unflavored or ginger-flavored
  • Ice cubes
  • Fresh cranberries (a handful, for garnish)
  • 1-2 oranges, thinly sliced or cut into wedges (for garnish)
  • 4-6 fresh rosemary sprigs (for garnish)
  • Fine granulated sugar or sanding sugar (for rim)
  • Lemon or orange wedge (for rimming glasses)

Instructions

  1. Make the sugar syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup water and 1 cup granulated sugar. Heat over medium, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely to form a clear syrup base.
  2. Add spices: Add the thinly sliced fresh ginger, cinnamon sticks, star anise pods, and whole cloves to the simmering syrup.
  3. Simmer and steep: Reduce heat to low, cover the saucepan, and gently simmer the mixture for 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and keep covered to steep for at least 30-60 minutes to intensify the flavors, then cool to room temperature.
  4. Strain syrup: Strain the cooled syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean, airtight container, pressing on the solids to extract all the liquid. Discard the spent spices. Refrigerate until ready to use; syrup can be made several days ahead.
  5. Prepare glasses: Pour a quarter-inch layer of fine granulated sugar or sanding sugar onto a small flat plate. Moisten the rim of each serving glass with a lemon or orange wedge, then gently dip and twist the rim into the sugar to coat evenly. Set the glasses aside.
  6. Prepare garnishes: Rinse fresh cranberries, slice or wedge the oranges, and wash rosemary sprigs. Gently bruise rosemary sprigs by clapping them between your hands to release their fragrance.
  7. Add spiced syrup: In each prepared glass, pour 2-3 tablespoons of chilled spiced cranberry-ginger syrup, adjusting sweetness to preference.
  8. Add juices: Pour 4-5 ounces (about 1/2 to 2/3 cup) of 100% pure cranberry juice into each glass, followed by 2-3 ounces (1/4 to 1/3 cup) of freshly squeezed orange juice.
  9. Add ice: Generously fill each glass with ice cubes.
  10. Top with sparkling water: Slowly add 2-3 ounces (about 1/4 to 1/3 cup) of sparkling water (plain or ginger-flavored) to maintain fizz.
  11. Gently stir: Give the mocktail a very gentle stir with a bar spoon or long spoon, just enough to combine ingredients without losing the carbonation.
  12. Garnish: Float a few fresh cranberries in the drink or thread them onto a small cocktail skewer. Add an orange slice or wedge to the glass rim or inside the drink. Tuck a fresh rosemary sprig gently into the glass.
  13. Serve immediately: Serve the mocktail right away for the best fizz, chill, and vibrant garnish effect. For batch serving, prepare the syrup and juices in advance in a pitcher (without sparkling water or ice). When guests arrive, pour over ice in prepared glasses, top with sparkling water, and garnish.

Notes

  • The spiced syrup can be made several days in advance and refrigerated for convenience.
  • Adjust the amount of syrup to control the sweetness of your mocktail.
  • Use fresh juices for the best flavor; pre-packaged juices can alter the taste.
  • Ginger-flavored sparkling water enhances the spicy notes, but plain sparkling water works well too.
  • Rimming glasses with sugar adds a festive touch and extra sweetness with each sip.
  • Gently bruising the rosemary releases more aromatic oils for garnish.
  • Serve immediately after assembling to enjoy the sparkling water’s fizz at its peak.

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Find it online: https://dailydinnersolutions.com/thanksgiving-mocktail-festive-and-non-alcoholic-cranberry-ginger-sparkler-recipe/