When the Christmas season arrives at our house, the very first thing my girls ask is:
“Daddy, can you make us a special drink?”
Last weekend, while we were decorating our Christmas tree — holiday music playing, my girls giggling as they hung ornaments, a fresh pine candle filling the room — I grabbed a jar of my Easy Pickled Cranberries and started mixing. In just a few minutes, this Christmas Cranberry Mocktail with Orange + Pickled Cranberries was born… and it has officially earned a spot in our holiday tradition.
It’s the perfect balance of sweet, fizzy, and tart thanks to the pickled cranberry brine that brings bold holiday flavor in one tiny splash. My girls loved helping drop in the cranberries and place the rosemary sprig “Christmas tree” on top — and I loved watching their faces light up at the first sip.
Whether you’re hosting a big holiday party or a cozy movie night, this drink instantly makes everything feel more magical.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Cranberry Mocktail
• Festive flavors with minimal effort
• Made in 5 minutes — no cooking, no tools required
• Kid-friendly, alcohol-free option everyone can enjoy
• Great for Christmas brunch, decorating parties, and family gatherings
• A delicious way to use your homemade pickled cranberries
This recipe transforms everyday juices into a holiday-ready mocktail your guests will rave about.
What Makes This Recipe Extra Special: Pickled Cranberries
If there is one holiday staple that has changed the game in our kitchen this year, it’s pickled cranberries. Sweet and tangy like cranberry sauce but with a fun punch of acidity — and they make any drink look instantly fancy.
Click here to grab the Easy Pickled Cranberries recipe if you haven’t already — you’ll want a jar in your fridge all December.
Bonus: The brine is liquid gold in drinks like this one.
(If you’d like to serve this drink with a homemade side that pairs beautifully, try my Cranberry Sauce— it’s the perfect sweet-tart combo!)
Ingredients
• Cranberry juice
• Orange juice (fresh if possible)
• Ginger ale
• Pickled cranberries + brine
• Crushed ice
• Optional: rosemary sprigs + sugar rim
If you want these to look extra nice, serve them in tall highball glasses — I love these ones:
How to Make This Christmas Mocktail
- If you want to add a sugar rim, dip each glass into a splash of orange or cranberry juice, then press into sugar.
- Fill each glass with crushed ice.
- Pour in cranberry juice and orange juice (just ¼ cup of each).
- Add 1 tablespoon of pickled cranberry brine to each glass — this is where the magic happens.
- Top with ginger ale and gently stir.
- Add 3–4 pickled cranberries and a rosemary sprig for a festive tree-topper garnish.
Tip: Keep rosemary sprigs fresh by storing them in a sealed container with a slightly damp paper towel — or grab cocktail-ready ones here.
Creative Variations
To make it sparkle:
• Swap ginger ale for cranberry-lime sparkling water
• Add pomegranate seeds for bursts of color
To make it grown-up:
• + vodka for holiday parties
• + tequila for a Christmas margarita vibe
• + prosecco for brunch
For a cozy twist:
• Use spiced apple cider instead of orange juice
To make it healthier:
• Choose no-sugar ginger ale or seltzer
Perfect for Every Holiday Occasion
• Christmas Eve or Christmas Day brunch
• Tree-decorating night
• Holiday movie marathon
• Afternoon get-togethers with friends
• After sledding (or a Florida “cold front” 😆)
Pair it with:
• Holiday Hosting Ideas for family fun
• Pantry Staples for a Stress-Free Christmas — keep everything ready for surprise guests
These connections help readers browse more of your seasonal content — and help Google understand your site.
Make Ahead & Storage Tips
You can prepare the juice + brine in a sealed pitcher up to 24 hours in advance.
Right before serving, top with ginger ale so you don’t lose the bubbles.
Once fizz meets juice → time to drink!
No leftovers expected.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cranberries instead of pickled?
You can, but they won’t have the same sweet-tart punch or flavor infusion.
Can I make a large batch for a party?
Yes — scale up and serve in a punch bowl! Add ginger ale right before guests arrive.
How do I keep the rosemary sprig upright?
Nestle it into the ice or wedge it between the cranberries.
Can adults spike their version?
Absolutely — add 1–2 oz per serving.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Cranberry Mocktail with Orange + Pickled Cranberries has officially become a new holiday tradition for our family. It’s easy, it’s delicious, and it brings joy to everyone at the table.
I cannot wait to see you make this! If you share your drink creations on Instagram, tag me @thecolorfulpantry so I can celebrate with you.
Wishing you bubbly, bright, and beautiful holiday memories.
— Rufus
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Christmas Cranberry Mocktail with Orange + Pickled Cranberries
Equipment
- 2 highball glasses
- Bar spoon
- Measuring cups & spoons
Ingredients
- ½ cup cranberry juice
- ½ cup orange juice fresh if possible
- ¾ cup ginger ale or more to taste
- 2 tablespoon brine from pickled cranberries
- 6 –8 pickled cranberries
- Crushed ice
- Rosemary sprigs optional garnish
- Sugar optional rim garnish
Instructions
- (Optional) Sugar rim: Dip each glass rim in a little orange or cranberry juice, then press into sugar.
- Add crushed ice to each glass.
- Pour ¼ cup cranberry juice and ¼ cup orange juice into each glass.
- Add 1 tablespoon pickled cranberry brine per glass.
- Top with ⅓–½ cup ginger ale.
- Stir gently and watch the festive fizz!
- Garnish with 3–4 pickled cranberries and a rosemary sprig.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Variation: Swap ginger ale for sparkling water for lighter sweetness.
Make-Ahead: Mix juices + brine in a pitcher up to 24 hours ahead. Add ginger ale right before serving.
Adult version: Add vodka, tequila, or prosecco.
Rufus Dewanou says
The Colorful Pantry