As kids, we all visited holiday parties where adults had their punch and we had ours. We were none the wiser. Who knew that the non-alcoholic versions of the adult drinks would come to be called Mocktails. Nor could we ever imagine that a Mocktail would prevail as a more popular libation than the alcohol-filled sister drinks.
From kids tables to adult hands the mock-tail made its way through every party we arrived at. With all the years gone by from previous celebrations, I can hardly remember the name of the mocktail my family used to create.
My solution was easy, I created a new name, and sparked the drink up to meet adult taste standards and please the kiddies too. The holidays are for everyone to celebrate, those that love a libation or those that prefer the mocktail of the libation creations.
Lavishly live mocktails out loud, and let’s celebrate the holidays with my Muddled Cranberry Sparkling Holiday Mocktail. Bring on the refills, the merriment and let the season sparkle with every glass.
MOCKING AROUND THE KIDS TABLE
Do you remember the kid tables we sat at, rather than the adult table? We were all so happy to be at the table with our friends and cousins and siblings so we could chatter, burp, fart, and giggle. The kid’s table is where all the fun happened and sometimes the uncles and aunts would join in because we were having too much fun.
Our mocktails made us giddy because we sipped and had fun. Often, the aunts and uncles would say ” I want some of what you are drinking” and they would grab a glass.
GATHERING HOLIDAY MOCKTAIL SUPPLIES
No holiday could be complete without the best in libations or mocktails and I started shopping early this year. Gathering the supplies to create the holiday beverages we love is easy. I grab my cart and march right to the soda aisle to grab my favorite mocktail base.
The lemon-lime flavor is the key base ingredient to at least 3 of my mocktail recipes and it’s perfect for alcoholic beverages as well. I’m a flavor girl so no plain tastes pass through the palms of these hands!
Muddled Cranberry Sparkling Holiday Mocktail
Here are the ingredients you will need.
INGREDIENTS
2 Tbsp Of Crushed Ice
2 Tbsp Of Whole Berry Cranberry Sauced (smashed up, muddled)
Cinnamon/Sugar Combination for rimming glass
Shallow bowl with water for dipping rim
2 Oz Orange Juice
5 Oz Sprite®
METHOD
Rimming: Dip glass into water lightly to moisten & dunk into cinnamon sugar mixture.
Add Crushed Ice
Tip: Add ice just when you are ready to serve or it will dilute the drink a lot! This is made on demand not ahead of time.
Add-In Cranberry and Muddle by mixing with a spoon.
Briskly stir to mix both the ice and the cranberry.
Here’s what it looks like when you are muddling.
It’s looking good. In fact, we are almost done. I can’t wait to taste test.
Add-In Orange Juice – You can add more or less depending on your preference for juice versus soda.
Add-In Sprite or any other lemon lime soda brand you choose (they all work the same)
Tip: Pour slowly, things are about to get frothy and that’s how it is supposed to be.
Dress it up with green and red apple chunks, fun sparkler picks and a glass straw.
You can add a cherry, an orange, grape, apple, strawberry, whatever adds a little color to the beverage! It’s a Garnish.
Now it’s time to sip and enjoy.
Sip Sip Hooray!
HOLIDAY HAPPINESS
Bottoms Up.
Now enjoy your holidays with a new family tradition. Cling, Cheer and bring on the holidays because this mocktail is one everyone can enjoy. Lavishly live the holidays out loud. ~Dana
