Easy Cranberry Orange Sparkler recipe
Festive Cranberry Orange Sparkler is the perfect holiday drinks recipe to bring color and cheer to your Christmas table.
Equipment
- 1 Small saucepan (For simmering the cranberry syrup with orange zest, honey, and cinnamon stick)
- 1 Fine-Mesh Sieve or Strainer (For straining the cranberry syrup and removing the solids)
- 1 Pitcher (For mixing the cooled syrup with orange juice and ginger, and for serving)
- 1 Measuring cups & spoons (For accurately measuring the ingredients like honey, water, and orange juice)
- 1 Grater (For grating fresh ginger)
- 1 Citrus Zester or Grater (For zesting the orange)
- 1 Stirring Spoon or Wooden Spoon (For mixing the syrup and sparkling water)
- 1 Glasses or Tumblers (For serving the finished sparkling drink)
- 1 Ice Cube Tray (For serving the finished sparkling drink)
- 1 Garnishing Tools (For adding cranberries and rosemary sprigs to the glasses)
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh cranberries (plus extra for garnish)
- 1/2 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
- 1/3 cup Zest of 1 large orange
- honey or sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger (optional, but lovely)
- 3 cups chilled sparkling water (or club soda)
- Ice cubes
- Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish
- 1 ½ cup chilled prosecco, champagne, or sparkling rosé Optional (for adults)
Instructions
Make the cranberry syrup:
- Combine cranberries, honey (or sugar), water, orange zest, and cinnamon stick in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat.
Simmer until berries burst:
- Cook 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries pop and the syrup slightly thickens.
Strain and cool:
- Pour through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing gently to extract liquid. Discard solids. Cool syrup completely (about 30 minutes).
Mix the base:
- In a pitcher, stir together the cooled syrup, orange juice, and grated ginger.
Add the sparkle:
- Just before serving, pour in the sparkling water (or prosecco). Add ice and stir gently.
Garnish and enjoy:
- Pour into glasses. Garnish with cranberries and rosemary sprigs. Serve immediately while bubbly!
Video
Notes
This short, helpful video demonstrates a syrup technique similar to the one used here—perfect for mastering your base flavor before creating your own sparkling holiday twist.