Cranberry Cider Fizz (Easy 5-Minute Fall Mocktail)

Cranberry Cider Fizz (Easy 5-Minute Fall Mocktail)

Sparkling cranberry apple cider mocktail with cranberries and a cinnamon stick in a home kitchen
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Cranberry, apple cider and a little sparkle in one easy glass: that’s all this cranberry cider fizz needs. It takes about 5 minutes, needs no cooking, and tastes like fall in a tall glass over ice. It’s a pretty, ruby-red drink that works for weeknights, game day or the Thanksgiving table.

why make this recipe

This cranberry cider fizz is quick, cheap and easy to scale for a crowd. You only need a few supermarket staples.

  • Ready in 5 minutes: pour, top and serve.
  • Kid-friendly and alcohol-free: everyone at the table can enjoy it.
  • Perfect for fall: it fits Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, Halloween parties and tailgates.
  • Easy to batch: mix the juices ahead and add the bubbles right before serving.

how to make cranberry cider fizz

Ingredients

For each glass

  • 1/2 cup apple cider, chilled
  • 1/4 cup 100% cranberry juice (or cranberry juice cocktail for a sweeter drink), chilled
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup sparkling water, lemon-lime soda or ginger ale, chilled
  • Ice cubes

For garnish (optional)

  • Fresh or frozen cranberries
  • Thin apple slices
  • 1 cinnamon stick or a rosemary sprig

Directions

  1. Fill the glass: Add plenty of ice to a tall glass.
  2. Pour the cider: Add the apple cider over the ice.
  3. Add the cranberry: Slowly pour in the cranberry juice so it swirls through the cider.
  4. Brighten it: Stir in the lemon juice.
  5. Top with fizz: Pour in the sparkling water or soda and give one gentle stir.
  6. Garnish and serve: Add cranberries, an apple slice or a cinnamon stick and serve right away.

how to serve cranberry cider fizz

Serve it very cold in tall glasses with a straw or cinnamon stick. For a party, set out a pitcher of the cider and cranberry mix, a bucket of ice and a bottle of sparkling water so guests can top their own. It goes well with a holiday appetizer board, roast turkey or a plate of cookies.

Pouring cranberry juice over ice to make cranberry cider fizz in a tall glass

how to store cranberry cider fizz

Mix the cider, cranberry juice and lemon juice, then cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Add the ice and bubbles only when you’re ready to serve, because fizz goes flat fast. Don’t store the finished drink.

tips to make cranberry cider fizz

  • Chill everything first so the ice melts slowly and the drink stays bubbly.
  • Use 100% cranberry juice for a tart, grown-up flavor, or cranberry juice cocktail for more sweetness.
  • Pour the soda down the side of the glass to keep the bubbles.
  • For a prettier swirl, pour the cranberry juice slowly over the ice last, before the fizz.
  • Taste before serving and add a splash more lemon or a teaspoon of maple syrup to balance it.

variation

  • Spiced: add a pinch of cinnamon or a thin slice of fresh ginger.
  • Ginger kick: use ginger beer in place of the soda.
  • Party pitcher: mix 3 cups cider, 1½ cups cranberry juice and 2 tablespoons lemon juice, then top with 3 cups sparkling water.
  • Adults only: add 1½ ounces bourbon, vodka or spiced rum per glass.
  • Rimmed glass: dip the rim in water, then cinnamon sugar.

FAQs

What is cranberry cider fizz?
It’s a sparkling mocktail made with cranberry juice, apple cider and a fizzy topper like sparkling water or ginger ale.

Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider?
Yes. Apple juice is clearer and a little sweeter, so you may want an extra squeeze of lemon.

Can I make it ahead for a party?
Yes. Mix the juices up to 3 days ahead and keep them chilled. Add ice and the fizzy part just before serving.

What can I use instead of sparkling water?
Lemon-lime soda, ginger ale, ginger beer or sparkling apple cider all work. Soda makes it sweeter.

Can I make it with alcohol?
Yes. Add 1½ ounces of bourbon, vodka or spiced rum to each glass before topping with the fizz.

Can I use frozen cranberries as garnish?
Yes. They also work as extra ice and keep the drink cold without watering it down.

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Sparkling cranberry apple cider mocktail with cranberries and a cinnamon stick in a home kitchen
b8eed31c031b788f95d58aa163d3d24fEllie

Cranberry Cider Fizz

A 5-minute fall mocktail made with apple cider, cranberry juice and a splash of bubbles over ice. Easy, festive and perfect for Thanksgiving or game day.
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Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup apple cider chilled
  • 1/4 cup 100% cranberry juice chilled
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup sparkling water lemon-lime soda or ginger ale, chilled
  • Ice cubes
  • Fresh or frozen cranberries apple slices, cinnamon stick or rosemary, for garnish (optional)

Equipment

  • Tall glass
  • Measuring Cups
  • Long spoon or stirrer
  • Pitcher (for batches)

Method
 

  1. Fill a tall glass with ice.
  2. Pour in the apple cider.
  3. Slowly add the cranberry juice so it swirls through the cider.
  4. Stir in the lemon juice.
  5. Top with the sparkling water or soda and stir once, gently.
  6. Garnish and serve right away.

Notes

Yield: 1 drink. Prep time: 5 minutes. Cook time: 0 minutes. Total time: 5 minutes. Course: Drinks. Cuisine: American. Storage: Mix the cider, cranberry and lemon juice up to 3 days ahead and refrigerate; add ice and fizz just before serving. For a pitcher, use 3 cups cider, 1½ cups cranberry juice, 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 3 cups sparkling water (serves about 6). Substitutions: apple juice for cider; ginger beer for soda. Adults-only option: add 1½ ounces bourbon, vodka or spiced rum per glass. Times, ratios and storage are my own estimates, so please taste and adjust.

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