Cranberry & Pomegranate Virgin Mojito Mocktail

French

This cranberry and pomegranate virgin mojito mocktail is a fizzy, festive drink, perfect for Christmas or any alcohol-free aperitif.

Fresh mint, zesty lime, and pomegranate juice bring brightness and balance, ready in minutes.

Cranberry Virgin Mojito Mocktail Recipe : Festive, Fizzy & Easy

At my house, icy drinks aren’t just for summer. This cranberry and pomegranate virgin mojito absolutely belongs on a holiday table: it’s bubbly, fruity, and beautifully balanced.

What I love most is the contrast : tangy cranberries and lime, cooling mint, and those sparkling bubbles that instantly make it feel festive.

Serve it as a true alcohol-free mocktail with well-chilled sparkling water, or add a splash of rum for a more classic cocktail vibe.

Either way, pomegranate really shines, especially if you use freshly blended and strained juice.

A little real-life tip: the first time I made this, I had no fresh cranberries, so I used leftover cranberry sauce from New Year’s dinner.

It worked perfectly, just cut back on the sugar since the sauce is already sweet. Short on time? A good-quality pure pomegranate juice is great too.

Ingredients of a sparkly virgin mojito

• 3 tbsp sugar : Balances the tartness from cranberry, lime, and pomegranate. Reduce slightly if your pomegranate juice is naturally sweet.
• 3 tbsp water : Helps dissolve the sugar and creates a quick syrupy base for the cranberry reduction.
• 1/2 glass fresh cranberries : Adds that signature tang and a gorgeous red hue. Frozen cranberries work perfectly too, just simmer an extra minute if needed.
• 12–18 sprigs of fresh mint : The classic mojito freshness. Use very fresh mint, and muddle gently (over-crushing can turn it bitter).
• 2 tbsp lime juice : Brings brightness and cuts through sweetness. Freshly squeezed gives the cleanest flavour.
• 300 ml sparkling water : Adds lightness and fizz. Keep it very cold and add it right at the end for maximum bubbles.
• 150 ml pomegranate juice : Deep, fruity flavour and a festive colour. Homemade is amazing, but a good-quality store-bought “pure juice” works well too.
• A handful of ice cubes : Essential for that crisp, refreshing finish. Add right before serving to avoid dilution.

Step-by-step: how to make this virgin mojito mocktail

1) Make the cranberry reduction

• Add cranberries, sugar, and water to a small saucepan.
• Simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• You’re looking for cranberries that burst open and a sauce that turns thick (similar to cranberry sauce).
• Remove from heat and let it cool (warm sauce melts ice and kills fizz).

2) Build the mojito base (mint + lime)

• Add mint and lime juice to each glass.
• Muddle gently, just enough to release the mint aroma without shredding the leaves.

3) Assemble 

• Pour in the pomegranate juice.
• Add 1–2 spoonfuls of the cooled cranberry reduction (start small, then adjust).
• Give it a quick stir to distribute the flavour.

4) Make-ahead option : At this stage, you can refrigerate the glasses without ice and without sparkling water.

5) Serve:

• Add ice right before serving.
• Top up with cold sparkling water, pouring gently to keep the bubbles. Taste and tweak:
• more tart : extra lime
• sweeter : a little more cranberry reduction
• lighter : extra sparkling water

6) Finish (optional but pretty) : Garnish with mint, lime wedges, and a few cranberries or pomegranate arils.

Pitcher version (serves 6-8)

– Scale the recipe : Multiply ingredients by 6-8, depending on how many glasses you need (aim for a 1.5–2 L pitcher).

– Make the cranberry reduction ahead : Cook and cool completely, this keeps your pitcher cold and fizzy later.

– Muddle mint + lime in the pitcher

• Add mint leaves (remove thick stems) and lime juice.
• Muddle very gently for aroma.

– Add the “fruit base” : Stir in the pomegranate juice and cranberry reduction (start with less, then adjust).

– Chill : Refrigerate the base 30 minutes to 2 hours (no ice, no sparkling water yet).

– Serve at the last second

• Add ice to the pitcher.
• Pour in very cold sparkling water at the end and stir once, lightly.

– Quick taste fix

• Too sweet : extra lime or sparkling water
• Too tart : more cranberry reduction (or a small splash of syrup)

Common mistakes + quick fixes

• Bitter mint: Muddle very gently, just enough to release the aroma and avoid crushing the leaves into a paste.
• Too sweet: Add more lime juice and/or a splash of extra sparkling water, then serve with plenty of ice.
• Too tart: Add a little more cranberry reduction, or a small touch of sugar/syrup.
• Not fizzy enough: Use very cold sparkling water and add it right at the end, without over-stirring.
• Cranberry sauce too thick: Loosen it with 1-2 tbsp water (or pomegranate juice) before adding it to the glass.
• Too diluted: Add ice only when serving, and keep the base chilled without ice.
• Flavour feels “flat”: Add a bit more lime, use very fresh mint, and serve in well-chilled glasses.

Other drinks to try

• Non-Alcoholic Orange and Grapefruit Spritz
• Refreshing Strawberry Margarita Mocktail : alcohol-free
• Pear white Sangria Mocktail
• Homemade Lemonade (Citronade) Recipe : Refreshing & Easy