Description
Spiced Orange Ginger Holiday Mocktail: Your vibrant, warm, non-alcoholic drink for festive cheer. Easy to make, its perfect for any celebration!
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Mocktail Base:
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup maple syrup (or honey)
- 2 large fresh oranges (for zest, juice, and slices)
- 1 cup sparkling water (or ginger ale)
- ¼ cup cranberry juice (optional)
- Spices & Aromatics:
- 2–3 slices fresh ginger
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 5–6 whole cloves
- 1 star anise
- Garnishes & Finishing Touches:
- Fresh orange slices
- Fresh cranberries (optional)
- Extra cinnamon sticks or star anise
- Sugar for rim (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Spiced Orange Ginger Syrup:: Alright, first things first, let’s get that amazing spiced syrup going. In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup water, ½ cup maple syrup (or honey), the zest and juice of one orange, 2-3 slices of fresh ginger, 2 cinnamon sticks, 5-6 whole cloves, and 1 star anise. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. This is where the magic starts, the kitchen will begin to smell absolutely heavenly, truly. Let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes, allowing all those lovely spices to infuse. I always forget to stir it occasionally, so don’t be like me!
- Steep and Strain the Spiced Orange Ginger Syrup:: Once your syrup has simmered, take it off the heat and let it steep for another 10 minutes. This extra steeping time is crucial for deepening those warm, festive flavors. Honestly, I used to rush this step, and the mocktail just wasn’t as vibrant. After steeping, carefully strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean jar or heatproof container, discarding the solids. You want a beautifully clear, aromatic syrup. Don’t press the solids too hard, or you might get some cloudiness.
- Chill the Spiced Orange Ginger Syrup:: Now, let that gorgeous syrup cool down completely. You can pop it in the fridge for at least an hour, or even make it a day or two in advance. A cold syrup is key for a refreshing mocktail, especially when you’re serving it over ice. I’ve been impatient and tried to use it warm before, and it just melted the ice too fast. Trust me, patience here pays off big time for your Spiced Orange Ginger Holiday Mocktail!
- Assemble Your Spiced Orange Ginger Holiday Mocktail:: Time for the fun part! Grab your favorite festive glasses. For each serving, add 2-3 tablespoons of your chilled spiced orange ginger syrup to the bottom of the glass. You can adjust this to your sweetness preference, of course. I usually start with two, then add more if I’m feeling extra sweet. Fill your glass generously with ice—I like crushed ice for a really frosty feel, but cubes work fine. This is where it starts to look like a party!
- Top with Bubbles and a Splash:: Slowly top off your syrup and ice with sparkling water. Pour it gently to keep those bubbles alive and create a beautiful layered effect. If you’re using a splash of cranberry juice, add that now too. I usually add about 1/4 cup. Give it a gentle stir with a spoon, just enough to combine the flavors without losing all that lovely fizz. You’ll hear the satisfying fizz and see the colors blend, it’s quite satisfying.
- Garnish Your Spiced Orange Ginger Holiday Mocktail:: And for the grand finale! Garnish each Spiced Orange Ginger Holiday Mocktail with a fresh orange slice, a few extra fresh cranberries (if you have them), and maybe even a cinnamon stick or a star anise from your strained spices (if they’re pretty enough!). A sugared rim, made by dipping the glass in orange juice then sugar, adds an extra special touch. It just makes the whole experience feel so much more festive and complete, honestly. Enjoy your beautiful creation!