Here’s a sparkling cranberry sangria recipe you can make as a mocktail or cocktail — it looks beautiful and tastes even better. Like our lime drink, it’s perfect for the holidays but also enjoyable year-round.
I love serving a sweet, pretty drink when guests come over. For holiday gatherings this cranberry sangria fits the bill — it can be made nonalcoholic so kids can enjoy it, or turned into a cocktail for adults.
I made this several times over the holidays as a mocktail, but you can easily add alcohol if you prefer. I call it a sangria because of the vibrant color and the generous amount of fresh fruit. It’s sweet, lightly effervescent, and a touch of mint adds color and aroma. It pairs well with many dishes and always looks lovely when presented.
For this recipe you’ll need small tumblers, a pitcher, cranberry juice, lemon-lime soda (or ginger ale), fresh fruit, and mint leaves. I usually use peach, apple, and orange plus a few cranberries for garnish — those fruits are typically fresh and available this time of year.
Ingredient Notes
Cranberry juice provides the base and vivid color. Bottled cranberry juice from major brands or store brands works fine; if you prefer a milder taste look for cranberry blends such as cranberry-apple.
Lemon-lime soda like 7-Up or Sprite adds sparkle and lightens the drink; ginger ale is a good alternative if you like its flavor profile.
I use sliced peaches and diced apples as the fresh fruit. You can substitute lime slices, pineapple chunks, or other firm fruit that will retain shape while floating. Fresh cranberries make a festive garnish if appropriate for your guests.
Fresh mint is optional but provides a nice green contrast for a holiday presentation and adds a subtle herbal note.
With Vodka (Option)
If you want a cocktail, vodka is a versatile choice. Use your favorite brand — Malibu adds a tropical, coconut-tinged flavor. Another option is to soak bite-sized fruit pieces in red or white wine or spirits before adding them to the drink.
Mocktail (Option)
For a nonalcoholic version, omit the spirits and follow the same steps. This recipe yields about one pint, so increase quantities as needed for larger groups. Serve with a slice of cake or cookies and enjoy.
This drink is super easy to make and always gets compliments for its appearance. Kids enjoy finding the fruit at the bottom of their tumbler, and cleanup is simple. Jump to the recipe and try it — I’d love to hear what you think.
Cranberry Sangria Recipe
Equipment
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1 pitcher
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3 glasses
Ingredients
- 3 cups cranberry juice
- 2 cups lemon-lime soda
- 1/2 large peach, diced
- 1/2 large apple, diced
- 1/2 large orange, cut into chunks
- 1 cup cranberries, whole, for garnish – omit if serving to young children
- 1 mint leaf per cup
- 1 cup vodka, optional — substitute 1 cup soda for the vodka to keep it nonalcoholic
Instructions
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In a pitcher, mix 3 cups cranberry juice with 2 cups lemon-lime soda (7-Up or Sprite) and add a few ice cubes.
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Dice the peach, apple, and orange. Add about half the fruit into the pitcher and stir gently. Reserve some fruit to top each glass.
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Garnish with mint leaves and a few whole cranberries on top. Serve in small tumblers.
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To make an alcoholic version: soak bite-sized fruit in 1/2 cup red wine or vodka for about an hour in the fridge. When mixing the drink, use 2 1/2 cups cranberry juice and add the remaining 1/2 cup red wine or vodka to the pitcher, then add the soaked fruit before serving.
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Adjust quantities as needed for larger batches. This basic recipe makes about 1 pint.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Other easy cranberry recipes you’ll love
Fresh cranberry sauce is wonderful on its own and makes great leftovers that can be transformed into other dishes like cranberry cobbler. An Instant Pot cranberry sauce can be ready in minutes. For another festive drink try a cranberry Moscow mule or a warm mulled wine during cold-weather gatherings.
If you want a bright, festive beverage for guests, this sparkling cranberry sangria mocktail (or cocktail) is an easy and attractive choice.