15 Christmas Mocktails for a Festive, Alcohol-Free Holiday

A Christmas mocktail can be as easy as mixing cranberry juice, lime, and sparkling water over ice. Here are 15 recipes, including citrus spritzers, a punch for six, and some warm spiced drinks. Each one also has a lower sugar option.

Choose two or three recipes for your gathering instead of buying ingredients for all fifteen. Cranberry, lime, apple juice, and sparkling water appear in several drinks, so a short shopping list can still give your guests options.

Before you start mixing

Unless noted, each recipe below makes one serving. Measurements use US cups and spoons (1 cup is about 240ml, 1 tbsp is 15ml, 1 tsp is 5ml). Use a 10-12oz glass for iced drinks to leave room for ice and garnish. Prep times are estimates and don’t include chilling unless stated.

Chill your ingredients before making cold drinks. Add sparkling water or soda at the end, and don’t shake carbonated mixtures in a sealed shaker.

For cranberry drinks, use a cranberry juice blend with no added sugar unless the recipe says otherwise. Pure unsweetened cranberry juice is very tart, so if you use it, start with half the amount and replace the rest with water. Adjust to taste.

“No added sugar” does not mean sugar free. The swaps below use less juice, syrup, or sweetened mixer than the main recipe. The sugar content will depend on the products you choose.

These recipes do not use spirits, bitters, or extracts. If you need to avoid all alcohol, check packaged ingredients for alcohol content. For apple drinks, choose pasteurized apple juice or clearly labeled non-alcoholic sweet cider, not hard cider. The FDA’s juice safety guidance explains why untreated juice and cider need special handling.

Sparkling Christmas mocktails

1. Cranberry rosemary spritzer

Prep: 5 mins. A short sprig of rosemary is all it takes to give this red drink a simple Christmas tree garnish.

Ingredients: 1/4 cup cranberry juice blend, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1/2 cup plain sparkling water, ice, and a small washed rosemary sprig.

Method: Fill a glass half way with ice. Add the cranberry and lime juices, pour in the soda and stir gently. Rub the rosemary between your fingers before adding it (don’t crush the woody stem into the drink).

Lower-sugar option: Use 2 tablespoons cranberry juice instead of 1/4 cup and add 2 extra tablespoons sparkling water.

2. Pomegranate orange fizz

Prep: 5 minutes. A good option if you prefer the taste of citrus to that of cranberry.

Ingredients: 1/4 cup pomegranate juice, 2 tablespoons orange juice, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1/2 cup plain sparkling water, ice, and an orange slice.

Method: mix the three juices in an ice filled glass, add the seltzer very slowly and finish with a thin orange slice (use the peel of the orange as the garnish rather than adding any more syrup).

Lower sugar option: substitute the orange juice for water and use a strip of orange zest for aroma. Wash the orange prior to peeling it.

3. Apple ginger Christmas cooler

Prep: 5 mins. Apple and ginger are a great combination if you’re after a seasonal drink without a berry base.

Ingredients: 1/3 cup pasteurized apple juice, 1/3 cup ginger ale, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, ice, and two thin apple slices.

Method: Pour the apple and lemon juice over the ice. Add the ginger ale and stir once or twice. Cut the apple garnish just before you serve it and tuck it up against the side of the glass.

Lower sugar option: swap the ginger ale for unsweetened ginger flavoured sparkling water and make sure it contains no sugar or syrup.

4. Cranberry mint lime cooler

Prep: 5 minutes. Use a light hand with the mint; tearing it into small pieces leaves bits floating throughout the drink.

Ingredients: 5 mint leaves, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1/4 cup cranberry juice blend, 1/2 cup plain sparkling water, and ice.

Method: Gently press the washed mint leaves with the lime juice in the bottom of a glass. Add the cranberry juice and ice and then top up with sparkling water. Stir from the bottom to distribute the lime.

Lower-sugar option: Halve the cranberry juice and replace the missing volume with sparkling water. Keep the mint and lime amounts the same.

5. Pear and cinnamon sparkler

Prep: 5 minutes. Pear nectar makes a fuller drink, so this recipe uses a modest amount and plenty of bubbles.

Ingredients: 1/4 cup pear nectar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/2 cup plain sparkling water, ice, a thin pear slice, and a cinnamon stick.

Method: Stir the nectar and lemon juice over ice, then add sparkling water. Slip in the pear slice and cinnamon stick. The cinnamon is a garnish, so there is no need to stir ground spice into a cold drink.

Lower-sugar option: Use 2 tablespoons nectar and increase the sparkling water to 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons.

6. Ruby grapefruit rosemary fizz

Prep: 5 minutes. This is the tartest option in the sparkling group. Offer it alongside a sweeter apple drink so guests can choose.

Ingredients: 1/3 cup pink grapefruit juice, 1/2 cup plain sparkling water, 1 teaspoon simple syrup, ice, and a small washed rosemary sprig.

Method: Mix the juice and syrup in a glass, add ice, and top with sparkling water. Stir gently and garnish with rosemary. Taste before adding any more sweetener.

Lower-sugar option: Omit the syrup. If you also want less juice, replace 2 tablespoons grapefruit juice with sparkling water.

7. Raspberry lemon holiday fizz

Prep: 5 minutes. Straining is optional, but it makes this drink easier to sip if raspberry seeds bother you.

Ingredients: 1/4 cup fresh raspberries, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon simple syrup, 3/4 cup plain sparkling water, and ice.

Method: Mash the washed berries with the lemon juice and syrup. For a smoother drink, press through a small sieve into the glass. Add ice and sparkling water, then stir carefully.

Lower-sugar option: Leave out the syrup and use ripe berries. If the result is too tart, reduce the lemon juice to 2 teaspoons before adding sweetener.

8. White grape citrus toast

Prep: 5 minutes. Serve this in small glasses for a toast rather than filling a large glass with juice.

Ingredients: 1/4 cup white grape juice, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1/2 cup plain sparkling water, and a thin strip of washed orange peel.

Method: Chill a glass, add both juices, and slowly pour in sparkling water. Twist the orange peel over the glass, then place it inside. Ice is optional when all the ingredients are already cold.

Lower-sugar option: Use 2 tablespoons grape juice and increase the sparkling water to 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons.

9. Pineapple lime Christmas cooler

Prep: 5 minutes. A green lime wheel and red strawberry slice supply the holiday colors without food coloring.

Ingredients: 1/3 cup pineapple juice, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1/2 cup plain sparkling water, ice, a lime wheel and a strawberry slice.

Method: Add the juices to a glass of ice and stir. Pour in sparkling water. Cut a small slit in the lime wheel so it sits on the rim, and add the washed strawberry slice to the drink.

Lower-sugar option: Use 2 tablespoons pineapple juice, then top up with extra sparkling water to your preferred strength.

10. Cranberry ginger holiday punch

Prep: 10 minutes. Makes six servings of approximately 6 ounces, before ice. Choose this when you would rather fill a pitcher than mix individual glasses.

Ingredients: 1 cup cranberry juice blend, 1 cup pasteurized apple juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, 1 cup ginger ale, 1 1/4 cups plain sparkling water, and one washed orange, thinly sliced.

Method: Combine the three juices in a pitcher and refrigerate until serving. Add the orange slices, ginger ale, and sparkling water just before pouring. Serve over ice in individual glasses so the pitcher does not become watered down.

Lower-sugar option: Replace the ginger ale with an equal amount of unsweetened ginger-flavored sparkling water.

Warm and creamy Christmas drinks

11. Warm orange cinnamon apple cup

Prep: 10 minutes. Use a small saucepan and gentle heat; the drink only needs to become pleasantly hot.

Ingredients: 3/4 cup pasteurized apple juice, 1/4 cup water, 1 thin orange slice, 1 cinnamon stick, and 1 whole clove.

Method: Put everything in the pan and heat gently for 5 minutes without a vigorous boil. Remove the cinnamon stick and clove, then pour into a heatproof mug. Remove the orange slice too if you prefer a clear drink.

Lower-sugar option: Use 1/2 cup apple juice and 1/2 cup water. Keep the spices and orange slice unchanged.

12. Cranberry orange winter warmer

Prep: 10 minutes. This makes a fruitier alternative to a mug of spiced apple juice.

Ingredients: 1/2 cup cranberry juice blend, 1/4 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup water, 1 cinnamon stick, and 1 thin slice of fresh ginger.

Method: Warm all the ingredients gently in a small saucepan for 5 minutes. Strain into a heatproof mug, removing the ginger and cinnamon. Taste before serving; cranberry blends vary considerably in sweetness.

Lower-sugar option: Replace the orange juice with water and add a small strip of washed orange peel while heating. Remove the peel before serving.

13. Rooibos chai holiday latte

Prep: 10 minutes. Choose a plain rooibos chai blend and follow its brewing directions if they differ from the timing below.

Ingredients: 1 rooibos chai tea bag, 1/2 cup freshly boiled water, 1/2 cup milk or unsweetened oat milk, 1 teaspoon maple syrup, and a pinch of ground cinnamon.

Method: Steep the tea bag in the water for 5 to 7 minutes, then remove it. Warm the milk separately, whisk until lightly frothy, and pour it into the tea. Stir in maple syrup and finish with cinnamon. For another preparation, see our rooibos chai tea guide.

Lower-sugar option: Omit the maple syrup and choose unsweetened milk if using a plant-based alternative.

14. Coconut lime snow cup

Prep: 5 minutes. Use coconut beverage from a carton for this recipe; thick canned coconut milk gives a different texture.

Ingredients: 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut beverage, 1/4 cup pineapple juice, 1 tablespoon lime juice, and ice.

Method: Shake the three liquids with ice in a sealed shaker or clean screw-top jar, then strain into a fresh glass of ice. No shaker is needed if you stir firmly instead. Serve immediately rather than leaving the acidic mixture standing.

Lower-sugar option: Use 2 tablespoons pineapple juice and 2 tablespoons cold water in place of the 1/4 cup juice.

15. Orange ginger winter cup

Prep: 10 minutes. This warm drink uses fresh ginger rather than a sweetened mixer, which gives you more control over sweetness.

Ingredients: 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/2 cup water, 2 thin slices of fresh ginger, 1 teaspoon honey, and a small strip of washed orange peel.

Method: Warm the water and ginger gently for 5 minutes. Add the orange juice, honey, and peel, then heat until warm without boiling. Remove the ginger and peel before pouring into a heatproof mug.

Lower-sugar option: Skip the honey. For a less concentrated drink, replace 2 tablespoons of orange juice with water as well.

How do you make Christmas mocktails for a party?

Start with a small menu: cranberry ginger punch (easy to pour), one tart spritzer and one warm drink. That gives the guests a useful choice without requiring 15 sets of ingredients.

For most single-glass recipes, just multiply the liquids by the number of servings. Adjust herbs and spices after tasting instead of multiplying them. Measure the non-carbonated ingredients into a labeled pitcher and chill. Add sparkling water or soda just before serving, and put ice in the glasses, not in the pitcher.

Keep extra sparkling water on hand so guests can adjust their drinks. Provide a simple ingredient card, especially for milk and plant-based options. Also, offer plain water so everyone has a clear choice.

If you are planning something sweet alongside the drinks, our high-protein dessert recipes include yogurt parfaits and chocolate pudding that can be portioned into small cups.

Printable holiday drinks card

The Holiday Mocktail Party Card lists six-serving amounts for cranberry rosemary spritzer, cranberry ginger punch, and warm orange cinnamon apple cups, along with brief mixing instructions. Print it for your kitchen or keep it with your shopping list. Start with one recipe; the card gives quantities for each one separately.

Can you make the drinks ahead?

Measure your juice bases earlier on the day of your event and keep them covered in the fridge. Prepare sparkling drinks right before serving. Slice apple and pear garnishes just before serving, and wait to pour creams until you are ready.

For food safety, adhere to the ingredient storage labels and keep all perishable ingredients refrigerated at 40°F/4°C or below. The FDA recommends that perishable foods be kept out of the ‘danger zone’ (between 40°F/4°C and 140°F/60°C) for no more than two hours (one hour if the ambient temperature is above 90°F/32°C). See the FDA’s food storage guidance for further details.

Christmas mocktail questions

What is the easiest Christmas mocktail to make?

The Cranberry Rosemary Spritzer requires three liquids and a garnish. For a simpler version you can just use cranberry juice and sparkling water and then add lime to taste.

Can I use frozen fruit?

Yes. Use fruit intended for ready to eat and follow the packet instructions. Frozen berries can also give a pale drink a tinge of colour as they thaw so use them in moderation if you’re after the original colour.

How do I make a mocktail less sweet?

Replace some of the juice or sweetened soda with plain sparkling water. Taste before you add any more citrus as the lemon and lime will alter the balance but they won’t take any of the sugar already in the glass.

Do I need alcohol-free spirits?

No. Every recipe here uses juice, tea, herbs, spices, milk or some such simple mixer. If you’re going to add a speciality product then check the label to confirm its ABV rather than assume it from the name of the product.

Place the pitcher where guests can reach it, keep garnishes simple, and make sure you have time to enjoy your own drink too.

Sources

• FDA: What You Need to Know About Juice Safety — treated juice, cider and produce handling.
• FDA: Are You Storing Food Safely? — refrigeration and room-temperature limits.