Barley Free Sparkling Orange Cinnamon Mocktail Spritz
Bright, citrusy, and lightly spiced, this sparkling mocktail is the kind of drink that feels genuinely festive without a drop of alcohol in sight. Fresh-squeezed orange juice brings a natural sweetness and vibrant color, while a homemade maple-cinnamon syrup adds warmth and depth that no store-bought mixer can replicate. The syrup comes together in minutes on the stovetop — just water, maple syrup, and cinnamon sticks simmered until fragrant — so you're always in control of exactly what goes into your glass. For anyone navigating grain sensitivities, this recipe is a breath of fresh air: every single ingredient is naturally free from barley and any grain-based additives, no label-scanning required. Topped off with chilled sparkling water and served over ice, it's effervescent and refreshing in the best possible way. The optional orange slice and cinnamon stick garnish make it look like something you'd order at a fancy brunch spot, but it comes together right at your own kitchen counter. Make a big batch of the syrup ahead of time and you're just minutes away from a gorgeous, crowd-pleasing drink whenever the mood strikes.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the cinnamon syrup
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 cinnamon sticks
For the spritz
- 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (from about 4 medium oranges)
- 2 cups sparkling water, chilled
- 2 cups ice cubes
For serving
- 4 thin orange slices, for garnish (optional)
- 4 cinnamon sticks, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the water, maple syrup, and 2 cinnamon sticks in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the maple syrup dissolves, then bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 3 minutes, until the syrup is fragrant and lightly coats the back of a spoon.
- 2
Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the cinnamon syrup steep for 20 minutes, until deeply fragrant. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a small bowl or jar and discard the cinnamon sticks. Let the syrup cool to room temperature.
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