Make a Spiced Cranberry Cosmo Mocktail

 

Celebrate the holiday season with this festive mocktail by Oakland-based holistic nutrition consultant, culinary educator, and mocktail mixologist Lila Volkas. With its tang of apple cider vinegar plus lime peel and spiced cranberry syrup, this non-alcoholic celebratory drink delivers bold, complex flavors that even your whiskey-loving brother-in-law will appreciate.

If you’re interested in learning to craft elevated non-alcoholic cocktails for Dry January and beyond, check out Lila’s upcoming classes where you’ll learn how fun, accessible, and easy to master mocktail mixology can be.

Spiced Cranberry Cosmo Mocktail

For the mocktail

• 2 ounces water
• .75 ounce lime juice
• 1 ounce spiced cranberry syrup (recipe below)
• Zest of ⅓ lime
• ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• Ice

For the sugar rim

• 2 tablespoons sugar
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Zest ⅓ of the lime into a small bowl and set aside. Slice a lime wheel for garnish and set aside. Mix cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl, then spread the mixture onto a small plate. Use a lime wedge to moisten the rim of a glass, then press the rim into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Twist the glass gently to ensure even coating. Fill a cocktail shaker ⅓ full with ice. Add water, lime juice, lime zest, apple cider vinegar, and syrup. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Carefully strain the mocktail into the prepared glass. Garnish with the lime wheel. Serve immediately and savor your creation!

Spiced Cranberry Syrup:

• 3/4 cup cranberry juice (unsweetened)
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons mulling spices (generally a blend of orange peel, cloves, cinnamon, and allspice)
• 1/2 tablespoon dried hibiscus flowers

In a small pot, combine cranberry juice, water, and sugar. Place over medium heat and stir until the sugar fully dissolves. Add mulling spices and hibiscus, then bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let the syrup cool for 15 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a jar or container. Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

 

Lila’s Upcoming Mocktail Classes:

Mocktail Mixology
Make non-alcoholic sips that will delight your taste buds and elevate your health.
Virtual + Kit
Thursday, January 2, 2025, 5–6pm
Get a ticket

Mocktail Mixology
Learn how to bring easy mixology concepts to simple ingredients, creating sips so tasty you won’t miss the booze.
In-person, North Oakland
Sunday, January 5, 2025, 11am–noon
Get a ticket

Tea-Based Mocktail Mixology
Explore mixology techniques and tea flavor pairings to create sophisticated non-alcoholic cocktails. Perfect for tea and mocktail lovers.
Virtual + Kit (optional)
Tuesday, January 14, 5–6pm
Get a ticket

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