Artificial Food Coloring Free Cranberry Ginger Mocktail
Bright, tangy, and just a little spicy from a homemade ginger syrup, this mocktail is the kind of drink that makes people ask what's in it. The deep ruby color comes entirely from real cranberry juice — no dyes, no artificial shortcuts, just fruit doing what fruit does best. Store-bought mocktail mixes and flavored sparkling drinks are notorious for sneaking in synthetic colorings, so making your own from scratch is genuinely the easiest way to stay clear of them. Fresh lime juice adds a citrusy punch, while the maple-ginger syrup brings warmth and a subtle sweetness that feels a little fancy without any extra effort. A quick shake over ice chills everything down and melds the flavors beautifully before you top it off with sparkling water for that satisfying fizz. Garnish with a lime wedge and fresh mint and it looks like something you'd pay twelve dollars for at a restaurant. It's refreshing enough for a summer afternoon and festive enough for a holiday table.
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Learn more →Ingredients
2 servings
For the ginger syrup
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 3 tbsp water
For the mocktail
- 1 cup 100% cranberry juice (unsweetened)
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 1 cup sparkling water, chilled
- 1 cup ice cubes
For serving
- 2 lime wedges (optional)
- 2 sprigs fresh mint (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the sliced ginger, maple syrup, and water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the maple syrup dissolves. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 3 minutes, until the syrup is fragrant and the ginger has softened slightly.
- 2
Remove from the heat and let the syrup steep for 10 minutes, then strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a small bowl or jar, pressing the ginger slices to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids.
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