This Cranberry Ginger Beer Mocktail is bright and zesty, made with cranberries, fresh ginger, lemon, & naturally sweetened with maple syrup. It's one of those non alcoholic cranberry drinks that feels truly special, making it the perfect ginger beer mocktail for gatherings, hosting, or a night in!
As a healthy recipe developer, I've spent years developing this festive mocktail to balance flavor and nutrition. Every mocktail recipe I share is designed to taste indulgent and nourish your body with whole ingredients!
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Recipe Difficulty: Easy
- Cooking Method: Stovetop
- Main Ingredients: Cranberries, ginger, maple syrup, sparkling water
- Dietary Info: Vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free
- Serves: 6
- Calories: 123 per serving
Summarize & Save This Content On
Such a delicious recipe! I made this over the holidays & made it for guests again last night! Thanks for sharing.
- haley
What makes this cranberry mocktail recipe stand out is the homemade cranberry ginger syrup, which can be made ahead for effortless entertaining. Naturally sweetened with maple syrup and layered with warming ginger spice.
If you love this bold, non alcoholic ginger beer cocktail, you have to try my Easy Blackberry Lemon Mocktail, Coffee Mocktail, or Lemon & Peach Mocktail Spritz!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Naturally Sweetened: Maple syrup replaces refined sugar, creating a mocktail that tastes indulgent without the sugar crash.
- Prep Ahead Of Time: The cranberry ginger syrup keeps in the fridge for up to a week, making entertaining or batch prep effortless.
- Digestive Benefits: Fresh ginger may help calm the stomach, while apple cider vinegar adds a gentle probiotic boost.
- Vibrant & Festive: The deep red hue from whole cranberries makes this cranberry fizz mocktail beautiful!
- Customizable Sweetness: Easily adjust the maple syrup and sparkling water to make it sweeter or more tart.
Key Ingredients
- Fresh Cranberries: Whole cranberries (not juice) form a rich, flavorful syrup with natural tartness.
- Fresh Ginger: Grated fresh for maximum spice and aroma; ground ginger won't have the same impact as fresh in this cranberry mocktail.
- Maple Syrup: Maple syrup adds deep, thick, caramel-like sweetness and blends smoothly into the cranberry syrup without crystallizing.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Raw, unfiltered ACV brings probiotic benefits and a bright tanginess that elevates this festive mocktail.
- Sparkling Water: Plain sparkling water keeps the focus on the cranberry ginger syrup and lets the flavors shine.
Substitutions & Variations
- Sweetener Options: Swap maple syrup for honey or agave nectar, or choose monk fruit syrup for a sugar-free option. Adjust to taste since sweetness levels vary.
- Ginger Options: Fresh ginger is best, but in a pinch, you can use 2 teaspoons ground ginger powder. Add carefully since it's more concentrated.
- Bubbles & Fizz: Swap sparkling water for kombucha, flavored sparkling water, or a refined-sugar-free soda.
- Alcoholic Version: Add 1.5 ounces vodka, rum, or gin per serving to turn this into a cranberry ginger beer cocktail.
- Citrus Options: Add orange, lime, or grapefruit in place of the lemon.
- Spicy Mocktail: Add ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper to the syrup for a bold, Mexican-inspired non alcoholic cranberry cocktail variation.
How To Make A Cranberry Ginger Beer Mocktail
- Step 1: Get your whole cranberries, maple syrup, water, apple cider vinegar, freshly grated ginger, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Grate the ginger using a microplane, juice and zest the lemons.
- Step 2: Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan, stir to combine, and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally and lightly mashing the cranberries as they soften to release their juices and deepen the color.
- Step 3: Remove from heat and strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a heat-safe jar or bowl, pressing the solids to extract as much liquid as possible.
- Step 4: Fill a glass with ice, add ¼ cup cranberry ginger syrup, and mix in 1 can of sparkling water. Stir gently and garnish with fresh mint, lemon slices, and whole cranberries for a festive finish.
Save This Recipe!
I'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
Expert Tips
- Mash While Cooking: Don't just stir the cranberries. Actively mash them every few minutes to extract maximum juice and pectin for a richer syrup.
- Adjust Sweetness Last: Taste your syrup after straining. If it's too tart for your liking, stir in 1-2 tablespoons more maple syrup while still warm.
- Use Cold Sparkling Water: Room temperature sparkling water goes flat faster. Keep it chilled until you're ready to pour.
- Scale For A Crowd: This syrup recipe yields enough for 6 generous drinks, but you can easily double it for holiday parties without changing cook times.
Pairing Ideas
This cranberry mocktail is nutrient-packed and delicious, and pairs well with appetizers, a nice dinner, or even a dessert! If you want more cranberry recipes for a cranberry-themed spread, try it with my Easy Cranberry Apple Crumble.
For more healthy drink recipes, try my Sweet Raspberry Matcha or Easy Iced Mocha Latte!
Cranberry Ginger Beer Mocktail Frequently Asked Questions
A simple, refreshing mocktail with cranberry juice combines cranberry juice, fresh citrus, and sparkling water for a bright, lightly tart drink that isn't overly sweet. Adding ginger beer or a splash of orange juice elevates the flavor, while a citrus garnish or fresh herbs make it feel festive and intentional.
Yes, cranberries and ginger are a classic pairing. The tartness of cranberries balances ginger's spice perfectly.
Absolutely. Replace the maple syrup with monk fruit syrup or stevia.
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment and rating below. Also, share it on socials to let others know what you think! Be sure to tag @entirelyemmy so I can share your masterpiece with my followers! ✨
📖 Recipe
Cranberry Ginger Beer Mocktail
Ingredients
- 12 Ounces Fresh Cranberries
- ½ Cup Maple Syrup
- ¼ Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 4 Lemons juiced
- 1 Cup Water
- 2 Tablespoons Ginger freshly grated
- 6 Can Sparkling Water
Instructions
- Get your whole cranberries, maple syrup, water, apple cider vinegar, freshly grated ginger, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Grate the ginger using a microplane, juice and zest the lemons.
- Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan, stir to combine, and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally and lightly mashing the cranberries as they soften to release their juices and deepen the color.
- Remove from heat and strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a heat-safe jar or bowl, pressing the solids to extract as much liquid as possible.
- Fill a glass with ice, add ¼ cup cranberry ginger syrup, and mix in 1 can of sparkling water. Stir gently and garnish with fresh mint, lemon slices, and whole cranberries for a festive finish.
Notes
- Mash While Cooking: Don't just stir the cranberries. Actively mash them every few minutes to extract maximum juice and pectin for a richer syrup.
- Adjust Sweetness Last: Taste your syrup after straining. If it's too tart for your liking, stir in 1-2 tablespoons more maple syrup while still warm.
- Use Cold Sparkling Water: Room temperature sparkling water goes flat faster. Keep it chilled until you're ready to pour.
- Scale For A Crowd: This syrup recipe yields enough for 6 generous drinks, but you can easily double it for holiday parties without changing cook times.
Nutrition
Save This Recipe!
I'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
haley says
Such a delicious recipe! I made this over the holidays & made for guests again last night! Thanks for sharing.
Cris says
Obsessed. Used a poppi instead of sparkling water. 10/10 recommend!!!