Made with three simple ingredients, this cozy Cranberry Chai Mocktail is a perfect non-alcoholic drink for the holiday season.
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Non Alcoholic Cranberry Chai Mocktail
This season I’ve been enjoying more mocktails, and I wanted a simple, family-friendly drink everyone can sip during holiday gatherings. This easy Cranberry Chai Mocktail blends two warm favorite flavors—chai tea and cranberry—into a refreshing, spiced beverage. Different chai brands and blends will alter the flavor, so feel free to use your preferred chai. Serve it over ice or double the recipe to make a pitcher for a party.
Ingredients
- Brown sugar – Brown sugar adds a richer, molasses-like sweetness compared with granulated sugar. You can substitute other sweeteners if you prefer.
- Chai tea – Use chai tea bags or a loose-leaf chai blend. A good ratio is 3 tea bags (or 3 tablespoons loose leaf) to 2 cups of water. Decaffeinated chai works well if you want a kid-friendly or evening drink.
- 100% cranberry juice blend – Choose a 100% juice blend rather than cranberry cocktail. Juice blends often include apple or grape juice to balance tartness, while cranberry cocktail frequently contains added sugars and extra water.
Instructions
1. In a small saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add ½ cup brown sugar and stir until dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat.
2. Add 3 chai tea bags (or 3 tablespoons loose leaf) to the hot sugar water and steep for 3–5 minutes, depending on how strong you like your chai.
3. Remove and discard the tea bags (or strain loose leaf). Let the brewed chai cool for at least 10 minutes, then transfer it to a serving container.
4. Pour 2 cups of 100% cranberry juice blend over the cooled chai, stir gently, and refrigerate until fully chilled.
5. To serve, fill glasses with ice and pour the cranberry chai mixture over the ice. Garnish with fresh cranberries and/or a cinnamon stick if desired.
Tips, Tricks and Questions
Can I use other sweeteners?
Yes. Granulated sugar, honey, or another sweetener can be used—adjust amounts to taste.
Can I make a pitcher?
Absolutely. The recipe yields about 4 servings; double it for an 8-serving pitcher.
Can I add alcohol?
Yes. To convert to a cocktail, try adding bourbon, whiskey, or spiced rum—about 2 ounces per cup of the chai-cranberry base works well.
If you like this Non Alcoholic Chai Cranberry Drink Recipe you might also like:
- Refreshing Strawberry Mojito Mocktail
- Hibiscus Iced Tea Sparkler
- Kid’s Healthy Orange Juice Mocktail
- Homemade Chai Tea Concentrate in the Crockpot
- Crockpot Christmas Wassail
Cranberry Chai Mocktail
This simple three-ingredient mocktail—chai tea, brown sugar, and cranberry juice—is ideal for holiday gatherings.
10 minutes
10 minutes
20 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 3 chai tea bags
- 2 cups 100% cranberry juice blend
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil, add brown sugar, and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat and steep the tea bags for 3–5 minutes.
- Discard the tea bags and let the chai cool at least 10 minutes. Transfer to a serving container and add cranberry juice, then chill until cold.
- Serve over ice and garnish with fresh cranberries or a cinnamon stick if desired.
Notes
Use a 100% cranberry juice blend for balanced flavor; blends often include apple or grape juice to reduce tartness. Choose decaffeinated chai for a more family-friendly drink.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4
Serving Size:
1 cup
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 179
Total Fat: 0g
Sodium: 8mg
Carbohydrates: 47g
Fiber: 5g
Sugar: 37g
Protein: 1g
Nutritional data is automated and may not be 100% accurate; final values depend on specific ingredients and any substitutions.
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