Cranberry Apple Ginger Fizz Mocktail
Another holiday, another mocktail coming your way!
I love creating festive drinks that give you the option to enjoy alcohol or not. Because let's be real — the holidays are about enjoying yourself, connecting with people and making memories, not being “perfect.”
For me personally, I don't mind having a cocktail or a glass of wine every once in a while. But these days, the hangover just isn't worth it for me. I would much rather wake up feeling good, sleep well and enjoy my next day.
And what I've realized is that sometimes the drink isn't actually what I'm looking for.
It's the social aspect. It's having something pretty and delicious to sip on while everyone gathers around the kitchen. It's holding a festive glass, enjoying good conversation and feeling like you're part of the celebration.
And honestly? Once I have a yummy mocktail in my hand, I often don't even care that there's no alcohol in it.
That's exactly why I love this Cranberry Apple Ginger Fizz.
It's festive without being overly sweet, has a little zing from fresh ginger and lemon, and the cranberry and apple make it feel perfectly Thanksgiving-inspired.
And if alcohol is something you enjoy, you can absolutely add your favorite spirit. There's room for both.
The goal isn't perfection. It's finding what makes YOU feel good.
A festive cranberry apple ginger mocktail with sparkling water, fresh cranberries, apple slices, ginger and rosemary served over ice in a glass, surrounded by cozy autumn ingredients.
Recipe
Ingredients
Servings: 1
2 oz unsweetened cranberry juice
2 oz fresh apple cider
½ oz fresh lemon juice
3–4 oz sparkling water
2–3 thin slices fresh ginger
Fresh rosemary
Fresh cranberries
Apple slice, for garnish
Ice
Directions
Fill a glass with ice.
Add the cranberry juice, apple cider and fresh lemon juice.
Stir well.
Top with sparkling water.
Add fresh ginger, a sprig of rosemary and a few fresh cranberries.
Garnish with a thin apple slice.
Sip, enjoy and soak up the holiday moment. 🤎
Want to Make It Boozy?
Absolutely!
If you enjoy alcohol, you can turn this into a cocktail by adding your favorite spirit. Vodka, gin or bourbon would all be delicious here.
Or keep it alcohol-free.
There is no right or wrong choice — just choose what makes you feel your best.
Making It for a Crowd?
This recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving dinner parties because you can easily turn it into a pitcher.
For a pitcher:
1 cup unsweetened cranberry juice
1 cup apple cider
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
1½ cups sparkling water
Combine the cranberry juice, apple cider and lemon juice in a pitcher and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Add the sparkling water, sliced apples, fresh cranberries, ginger and rosemary right before serving so everything stays fresh and bubbly.
Serve over ice and let everyone garnish their own glass.
The LEAN Life Tips
Keep it festive without making it a sugar bomb.
Holiday drinks can sneak in a LOT of added sugar — especially when you're working with cranberry cocktails, flavored syrups and sweet mixers.
I like using unsweetened cranberry juice here instead of cranberry cocktail. The apple cider gives the drink natural sweetness, while fresh lemon, ginger and sparkling water keep it bright and refreshing.
You still get the beautiful color and festive flavor without needing a ton of added sugar.
Want it even lower in sugar?
Skip the apple cider and use:
2 oz unsweetened cranberry juice
½ oz fresh lemon juice
4–5 oz sparkling water
Fresh ginger
Rosemary
Fresh cranberries
Apple slice for garnish
This version is tart, crisp, gingery and super refreshing — and lets the fresh herbs and fruit do the work.
🤎 A Holiday Reminder
I don't believe in going into the holidays with a long list of foods and drinks you can't have.
Instead, I like to ask:
What actually makes me feel good?
Maybe that's a glass of wine with dinner.
Maybe it's a cocktail while you're cooking.
Maybe it's this mocktail and waking up the next morning feeling amazing.
Maybe it's having the pie and the salad.
Maybe it's saying no to another drink because you know you'll sleep better without it.
You get to choose.
The holidays don't have to be an all-or-nothing situation. You can enjoy the food, the drinks, the traditions and the people you love while still staying connected to the way you want to feel.
Because sometimes the best part of the drink isn't the alcohol at all.
It's the ritual. The connection. The pretty glass. The something delicious to sip while you're surrounded by people you love.
And this little mocktail gives you all of that. ✨
A little festive. A little fancy. Zero pressure. All Thanksgiving.