A festive, ginger-forward winter mocktail made by the glass
If you’re looking for a beautiful, non-alcoholic drink to serve this season, this Sparkling Elderberry Sangria Mocktail is a lovely place to start. It’s bold yet balanced, deeply colored and meant to be sipped slowly - a small, intentional pour that feels just as special as a cocktail.
We developed this recipe by the glass (not by the pitcher) so it’s easy to make for yourself or guests, without committing to a large batch. The flavor leans ginger-forward, with bright citrus and the richness of elderberry bringing everything together.
Ingredients
Festive • Refreshing • Bold • Balanced
1 Tbsp pomegranate juice
1 Tbsp fresh orange juice
3 oz ginger beer (Fever Tree brand is a lower sugar option)
1½ oz sparkling water (recommended for balance)
2 thin orange slices
Ice
Makes
1 cocktail-style mocktail
6 oz liquid base + ice
Glassware
Your favorite beverage glass, rocks glass or small stemless wine glass (8–10 oz capacity)
Instructions
Fill a rocks glass with ice.
Add the elderberry syrup, pomegranate juice and orange juice.
Add the orange slices and gently press once or twice to release the citrus oils.
Pour in the ginger beer, followed by the sparkling water.
Stir gently to combine.
Garnish with an additional orange slice if desired and serve immediately.
flavor notes
This elderberry mocktail is intentionally bold, with warming ginger and bright citrus balancing the richness of the syrup. Serving it over ice keeps the drink refreshing and allows the flavors to soften slightly as you sip. It’s the kind of drink you enjoy slowly - perfect for holiday gatherings, winter dinners or a quiet evening at home.
Easy variations
More ginger-forward: Use all ginger beer and skip the sparkling water.
Lighter & less sweet: Replace part of the ginger beer with additional sparkling water.
Extra refreshing: Make sure all ingredients are well chilled before mixing.
A Note on Serving
This mocktail is best enjoyed as a small, elegant pour, similar to a classic cocktail. While you can absolutely make more than one, the intention here is quality over quantity - something beautiful & special to savor.
Final Thoughts
This Sparkling Elderberry Sangria Mocktail is an elegant, alcohol-free option for seasonal gatherings. With its balanced flavor and simple preparation, it’s a drink designed for intentional, unhurried enjoyment.
If you make it, we’d love to hear what you think and how you make it your own!