Cranberry Basil Sangria Mocktail : A booze free sip

This Cranberry Basil Sangria Mocktail has completely changed the game when it comes to fancy drinks that won’t leave you regretting life choices the next morning.

The way those tart cranberries play with the fresh basil is like a flavor party in your mouth. Honestly, it’s so pretty you’ll want to Instagram it before taking that first sip.

Here’s the thing about making it perfectly.

Refreshing Holiday Party Alternative

Let’s be real, not everyone wants to drink alcohol at holiday parties, but that doesn’t mean they should be stuck sipping boring soda or plain water all night! This cranberry basil sangria mocktail is like the cool cousin of traditional sangria… it’s got all the festive vibes and sophisticated flavors without any of the booze. The combination of tart cranberry juice and fresh basil creates this amazing flavor profile that’s both refreshing and unexpected, while the non-alcoholic red wine gives it that rich, complex taste that makes you feel like your drinking something special. Trust me, even your wine-loving friends are going to be asking for the recipe!

The beauty of this drink is that it solves so many holiday party problems at once. Your pregnant friends, designated drivers, and anyone who just doesn’t feel like drinking can finally have something that looks and tastes as exciting as everyone else’s cocktails. Plus, it’s way more budget-friendly than stocking a full bar, and you don’t have to worry about anyone getting too tipsy and telling embarrassing stories about your college days.

The sparkling water adds this lovely effervescence that makes every sip feel celebratory, and the citrus brightens everything up so it doesn’t taste heavy or overly sweet like some mocktails can.

What really makes this drink work is how all the flavors play together… the cranberry brings that perfect holiday tartness, the basil adds an herbal sophistication that surprises people in the best way, and the citrus ties it all together with a bright, zesty finish. It’s like someone took all the best parts of a fancy cocktail and made it accessible for everyone.

The non-alcoholic red wine might sound weird if you’ve never tried it, but it adds this depth and complexity that water or juice alone just can’t match. Your guests are going to think you spent way more time and money on this than you actually did, which is always a win in my book!

Tips To Make It Perfectly At Home

Making this cranberry basil sangria mocktail at home is easier than you think once you know the insider secrets.

• Muddle the basil gently: Don’t go crazy with the muddling or you’ll end up with bitter, bruised leaves that make your drink taste like you’re chewing on herbs. Just a few gentle presses to release those oils.
• Chill everything beforehand: Room temperature ingredients will water down your drink faster than you can say “refreshing.” Get that cranberry juice, non-alcoholic wine and sparkling water ice cold before mixing.
• Use fresh basil only: Dried basil has no place in this drink and will make it taste like pizza seasoning. Fresh leaves or nothing – trust me on this one.
• Add sparkling water last: Pour it in right before serving to keep those bubbles alive and kicking. Nobody wants flat sangria, even the mocktail version.
• Let flavors marry: Give your mixture at least 30 minutes to hang out in the fridge before serving. The basil needs time to work its magic with the cranberry and citrus.
• Don’t skip the citrus zest: A little lemon or orange zest on top isn’t just pretty – it gives you that aromatic hit that makes each sip more interesting.
• Taste and adjust: Start with less cranberry juice than you think you need. You can always add more but you can’t take it back once it’s too tart.

Food Pairing Ideas

This cranberry basil sangria mocktail is all about bright, herbaceous flavors with a tart edge that begs for foods that can either complement its freshness or provide a rich contrast.

The sparkling element adds a celebratory feel that pairs beautifully with both elegant appetizers and casual comfort bites.

• Goat Cheese Crostini: The creamy tanginess of goat cheese plays perfectly against the tart cranberry while the toasted bread adds satisfying crunch that contrasts the drink’s effervescence.
• Prosciutto-Wrapped Melon: Sweet cantaloupe and salty prosciutto create the perfect sweet-savory balance that echoes the drink’s complex flavor profile without competing with the basil.
• Dark Chocolate Truffles: Rich cocoa intensifies the berry notes in the cranberry juice while providing an indulgent counterpoint to the mocktail’s bright acidity.
• Brie and Fig Jam Flatbread: Creamy brie mellows the drink’s tartness while fig jam adds complementary sweetness that won’t overpower the herbal basil notes.
• Rosemary Parmesan Crackers: The herbaceous rosemary creates an aromatic bridge with the basil while sharp parmesan adds the salty richness that makes each sip taste even more refreshing.
• Lemon Shortbread Cookies: Buttery cookies with bright citrus notes amplify the drink’s citrus elements while the sweet crumbly texture provides a delightful contrast to the sparkling mocktail.

Need some ALCOHOL-FREE spirits for your mocktails? Why not try one of these?

The Free Spirits Company

OR Cut Above Zero Proof Spirits.

One of these is bound to have what you need !

Ingredient List & Instructions

This gorgeous cranberry basil sangria mocktail is like summer and fall had the most beautiful baby together! The tart cranberry juice plays perfectly with bright citrus notes, while fresh basil adds this amazing herbaceous twist that’ll make your taste buds do a little happy dance.

It’s refreshing without being too sweet, sophisticated enough for grown-up parties but fun enough that everyone can enjoy it… basically, it’s the overachiever of the mocktail world!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Non-alcoholic red wine
• 1 cup Cranberry juice
• 1/2 cup Fresh Orange Juice
• 1/4 cup Fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons Honey or Maple Syrup
• 8-10 fresh Basil leaves
• 1 Orange, sliced into rounds
• 1/2 cup Fresh Cranberries
• 2 cups sparkling water
• Ice cubes
• Fresh basil sprigs for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large pitcher, gently muddle 6-8 basil leaves with honey until fragrant and the leaves are slightly bruised (don’t go crazy here, we want flavor not basil confetti).
2. Add the non-alcoholic red wine, cranberry juice, orange juice and lime juice to the pitcher, stirring everything together until the honey is completely dissolved.
3. Drop in the orange slices and fresh cranberries, then let this beautiful mixture chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes so all those flavors can get acquainted.
4. When you’re ready to serve, fill glasses with ice and pour the sangria mixture about 3/4 full.
5. Top each glass with sparkling water for that perfect fizzy finish.
6. Garnish with a fresh basil sprig, a few cranberries and an orange slice because we eat with our eyes first!

Prep Times:

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Chill time: 30 minutes
• Total time: 40 minutes

Nutritional Information:

• Servings: 4-6
• Calories: 97 per serving
• Fat: 0g
• Protein: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 20g

Variations To Try

These creative twists on the classic cranberry basil sangria mocktail can transform both flavor and presentation while maintaining the drink’s refreshing character.

• Pomegranate Mint Sangria: Replace cranberry juice with pomegranate juice and swap basil for fresh mint leaves to create a deeper berry flavor with cooling herbal notes.
• Spiced Winter Version: Add cinnamon sticks and star anise while muddling orange slices with the basil for a warming seasonal twist that’s perfect for cold weather.
• Tropical Basil Sangria: Substitute pineapple juice for half the cranberry juice and add diced mango chunks for a sweet tropical spin that pairs beautifully with the herbaceous basil.
• Ginger Kick Variation: Include fresh grated ginger and replace sparkling water with ginger beer for a spicy effervescent version with extra bite.
• Berry Medley Sangria: Add fresh blueberries and raspberries while reducing cranberry juice slightly to showcase multiple berry flavors in each sip.
• Cucumber Basil Refresh: Include thinly sliced cucumber and reduce citrus to create a more garden-fresh version with crisp vegetal notes.

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Yield: 1

Cranberry Basil Sangria Mocktail

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Fresh, fruity, and fabulously booze-free! This Cranberry Basil Sangria Mocktail blends tart cranberry, citrus, and herbs for a crisp, garden-inspired sip.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Chill Time 30 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

• 475 ml Non-alcoholic red wine
• 236 ml Cranberry juice
• 118 ml Fresh Orange Juice
• 60 ml Fresh lime juice
• 30 ml Honey or Maple Syrup
• 8-10 fresh Basil leaves
• 1 Orange, sliced into rounds
• 1/2 cup Fresh Cranberries
• 475 ml sparkling water
• Ice cubes
• Fresh basil sprigs for garnish

Instructions

1. In a large pitcher, gently muddle 6-8 basil leaves with honey until fragrant and the leaves are slightly bruised (don't go crazy here, we want flavor not basil confetti).
2. Add the non-alcoholic red wine, cranberry juice, orange juice and lime juice to the pitcher, stirring everything together until the honey is completely dissolved.
3. Drop in the orange slices and fresh cranberries, then let this beautiful mixture chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes so all those flavors can get acquainted.
4. When you're ready to serve, fill glasses with ice and pour the sangria mixture about 3/4 full.
5. Top each glass with sparkling water for that perfect fizzy finish.
6. Garnish with a fresh basil sprig, a few cranberries and an orange slice because we eat with our eyes first!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 97Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 6mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 1gSugar: 16gProtein: 1g

This nutrition information was automatically calculated by Nutritionix, but may not be 100% accurate.

To pin for later:

If you like this, maybe a real alcoholic citrus red Sangria is a good alternative?