Cranberry Citrus Punch Mocktail Recipe
This refreshing cranberry citrus punch mocktail combines tart cranberry juice with bright citrus flavors to create a beautiful and delicious alcohol-free drink. Perfect for parties, holidays, or any occasion that calls for something special.
Equipment
- Large pitcher (at least 2-quart capacity)
- Measuring cups for accurate proportions
- Measuring spoons for smaller ingredients
- Long spoon for mixing
- Citrus juicer or reamer (optional but helpful)
- Sharp knife for cutting fruit
- Cutting Board
- Serving glasses - highball or punch glasses work well
- Ice bucket for serving
Ingredients
Base Ingredients:
- 4 cups cranberry juice 100% juice recommended, not cocktail
- 2 cups orange juice freshly squeezed if possible
- 1 cup grapefruit juice
- ½ cup lime juice about 4-5 limes
- ¼ cup simple syrup adjust to taste
For Serving:
- Ice cubes
- 1 liter club soda or sparkling water
- 1 orange thinly sliced
- 1 lime thinly sliced
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- Fresh mint sprigs optional
The quality of juice makes a big difference in this recipe. If possible, use freshly squeezed citrus juices for the best flavor. Bottled juices work too, but try to find ones without added sugar or preservatives.
Instructions
- Prepare the fruit garnishes. Wash all fruit thoroughly. Slice the orange and lime into thin rounds. Rinse the cranberries and set aside.
- Mix the juices. In your large pitcher, combine the cranberry juice, orange juice, grapefruit juice, and lime juice. Stir well to mix.
- Add sweetener. Pour in the simple syrup and stir until completely incorporated. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
- Chill the mixture. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to blend. This can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance.
- Finish and serve. When ready to serve, add ice to the pitcher and pour in the club soda or sparkling water. Stir gently to avoid losing carbonation.
- Garnish. Add the sliced fruit and cranberries to the pitcher. Reserve some for individual glasses.
Serve in ice-filled glasses with additional fruit garnish and optional mint sprigs.
Notes
This recipe can be easily adjusted to suit different tastes. For a sweeter punch, add more simple syrup. For a more tart version, increase the cranberry and lime juices.
For a festive holiday version, add a cinnamon stick to each glass or float star anise in the pitcher. You can also create a frozen version by blending the base ingredients with ice.
Make a kid-friendly version by replacing some of the cranberry juice with apple juice for a milder flavor. The punch will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, though the carbonation will diminish over time.
For a visually striking presentation, freeze cranberries and orange slices in ice cubes to use in the punch. This prevents dilution while keeping the drink cold and looking beautiful.