Cran-Orange Refresher Mocktail Recipe

Sometimes, I just want a drink that feels a little special but doesn’t involve alcohol. That’s when I whip up my go-to Cran-Orange Refresher Mocktail.

This cranberry orange mocktail is tangy, sweet, and honestly, it’s so easy to throw together. You only need a handful of ingredients and a few minutes.

It’s awesome for relaxing at home, or if you’ve got friends or family over. I really love how cranberry and orange come together—so bright and zesty, with a pop of color.

If you’re after something a bit different to sip, this one’s worth a try.

Cran-Orange Refresher Mocktail Recipe

One of the best things about this cranberry-orange mocktail is how simple it is. The cranberry and orange flavors are bold, and the sparkling water or soda gives it that fun, fizzy feel.

Equipment

• Cocktail shaker (optional, but it mixes everything nicely)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Tall stirring spoon or bar spoon
• Fine mesh strainer (if you’re using fresh juice)
• Ice cube tray
• Serving pitcher or jug
• Cocktail glasses or any wide, short glass
• Small bowl for sugar or freeze-dried cranberries (for rimming)
• Citrus squeezer (if you’re squeezing fresh orange or blood orange)
• Knife and cutting board

Having the right tools just makes the process smoother. If I’m making drinks for a group, I’ll use a pitcher. For a single glass, the shaker gets things extra cold.

Rimming the glasses with sugar or crushed cranberries? It’s a small touch, but it really makes things feel festive.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cranberry juice (no sugar added if you can find it)
• 1/2 cup orange juice (fresh squeezed or bottled, both work)
• 1/4 cup blood orange juice (totally optional, but it adds color and tartness)
• 1 cup sparkling water, club soda, or lemon lime soda (for the bubbles)
• 1–2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for rimming the glass)
• Ice cubes
• 6–8 fresh cranberries (for garnish)
• 1 tablespoon freeze-dried cranberries, crushed (optional for rim)
• Orange slices or wedges (for garnish)

I’ll swap in whatever sparkling water or soda I have on hand; it’s pretty flexible. Blood orange juice isn’t a must, but it does look and taste cool. And honestly, the fresh cranberries and orange slices make it feel a bit fancy.

Instructions

• Fill a cocktail glass with ice cubes.
• If you want to rim the glass, dip the rim in water, then coat with sugar or crushed freeze-dried cranberries.
• In a large pitcher or shaker, add cranberry juice, orange juice, and blood orange juice if you’re using it.
• Stir or shake everything together.
• Pour the juice mixture over the ice, filling the glass about two-thirds full.
• Top with sparkling water, club soda, or lemon lime soda—whatever you’re in the mood for.
• Stir gently; don’t shake if you’ve added soda, or you’ll lose the bubbles.
• Garnish with fresh cranberries and a slice of orange.
• Serve right away while it’s still cold and fizzy.

It comes together super fast, and you can tweak the sweetness or tartness however you like. The sugared rim and garnishes make it look like you really went all out.

Notes

I usually go for unsweetened cranberry juice so the drink isn’t overly sugary. If you want it sweeter, lemon lime soda does the trick, but club soda keeps things lighter.

Blood orange juice changes up the flavor and gives a nice color, but don’t worry if you skip it.

If I’m making a big batch, I’ll mix everything except the bubbles in a pitcher, then add the sparkling water right before serving. That way, it stays nice and fizzy.

Freeze-dried cranberries on the rim look pretty, but honestly, they’re totally optional.

Wide cocktail glasses are my favorite for this—plenty of space for ice and garnishes, so everything stays fresh and looks great.

Tasting Notes

Taking that first sip of the Cran-Orange Refresher Mocktail, I get hit with a crisp, tart kick from the cranberry juice. The sharpness is definitely there, but then the sweet, juicy orange kind of swoops in and rounds things out.

There’s this immediate burst of freshness from the citrus. The orange is bright, but honestly, it doesn’t steal the whole show—it teams up with the cranberry for a lively, refreshing combo.

I notice the texture right away—it’s smooth, and there’s a gentle fizz. The sparkling water brings just enough tingle to keep things interesting, but it never gets too bubbly or intense.

The finish is pretty clean. There’s no heavy aftertaste, so it just feels light and super easy to drink—honestly, perfect for a warm day.

Sometimes I’ll toss in some ice and maybe a slice of orange for a little extra chill and color. It makes the mocktail look and taste even more inviting.

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