When sweaters go on then it’s time to make this low-calorie perfectly wonderful Autumn Spiced Mocktail. Low-calorie cranberry juice is simmered with fresh ginger, cloves, cinnamon sticks, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and sliced Granny Smith apples to create a mocktail that is a sure crowd-pleaser for young and old.
What is the difference between a mocktail and a cocktail?
Cocktails are alcoholic drinks made by mixing alcoholic spirits with soft drinks, fruit juices, teas, and fresh herbs or spices. Mocktails are non-alcoholic drinks made by mixing different soft drinks, teas, or fruit juices, and fresh herbs or spices.
Mocktails are so named because they mock the cocktails i.e. they look like cocktails but are non-alcoholic.
How do you make a mocktail?
This Autumn Spiced Mocktail is seasoned with warm and spicy flavors by simmering fresh ginger, cloves, and cinnamon in low-calorie cranberry juice. If calories are not an issue then regular cranberry juice would be great.
These mocktails are perfect to serve chilled over ice or warm in a big mug on a cool evening or cold morning.
I found it much simpler to simmer my cloves, cinnamon stick, and fresh ginger in a disposable tea bag. These handy little bags are a staple in my kitchen supplies.
Cranberry Mocktail
Print recipes anytime as part of 🍍Intentional Hospitality family! Sign up once, and you’ll always have recipe printing at your fingertips. No need to join our newsletter but would love to have you!
You can add any recipe from Intentional Hospitality to your shopping list to plan a full menu!
Ingredients
- 4 cups cranberry juice drink, Ocean Spray low calorie
- 1 orange, juiced
- 1/2 Granny Smith apple, cored and sliced
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 piece fresh ginger, about the size of a penny, 1/4 inch thick
- 1 empty tea bag or cheesecloth
- Orange slices, rosemary sprigs, and cinnamon sticks (optional garnish)
Instructions
Prepare the Spices
- Place the ginger, cinnamon stick, and cloves into an empty tea bag and pull the drawstring tight. If using cheesecloth, wrap the spices securely and tie closed.1 teaspoon whole cloves, 1 piece fresh ginger, 1 empty tea bag or cheesecloth, 1 cinnamon stick
Simmer the Mocktail
- Pour the cranberry juice into a saucepan.4 cups cranberry juice drink
- Add the spice-filled tea bag, orange juice, and apple slices.1 orange, 1/2 Granny Smith apple
- Simmer over low heat until fragrant and infused.
Finish and Serve
- Remove and discard the spice bag.
- Serve warm, or chill and serve over ice.
- Garnish cold drinks with an orange slice and rosemary sprig. Garnish warm drinks with a cinnamon stick.Orange slices
Gina’s Notes and Tips
Serving for a Crowd
- This recipe can be made in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 3 hours, then serve warm directly from the crock pot.