When the holidays roll around, or honestly, any time I need a little something special, I get tired of soda or just plain water. We deserve complex, grown-up flavors, even when we skip the alcohol! That’s why I’m completely obsessed right now with this Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail. Seriously, it hits all the right notes. It tastes like autumn spices met a cozy fireside evening. The best part? It captures that deep, slightly smoky, warm flavor profile you usually only get from aged spirits, but it’s totally clean. I spent weeks tweaking the balance—you need exactly the right tartness from the cranberry to cut through that sticky maple goodness. Trust me, this mocktail proves you don’t need booze to have a sophisticated sip!

Why You Will Love This Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail

I know you’ll fall head-over-heels for this drink, just like I did the second I perfected the balance. It’s everything you want in a special occasion beverage without any of the fuss. It checks all my boxes for a winner!

It’s ready faster than you can clean up the spoon you used to taste-test it!
It tastes incredibly complex, like it simmered all day, but it’s only five minutes of work.
It’s a fantastic, grown-up option whenever you need a fantastic non-alcoholic drink that feels celebratory.

Quick Prep Time for Your Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail

Seriously, five minutes, tops. I barely even need to wipe down the counter before I’m sipping this beautiful drink. This means you can whip up a batch for unexpected guests or just decide you need a beautiful Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail after a long Tuesday. No planning required!

Sophisticated Flavor Profile of the Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail

This is where the magic happens. We rely on layering those deep flavors. You get that bright, tart punch from the cranberry juice right away, which is immediately smoothed out by the rich sweetness of the maple syrup. Then, if you pop in that optional, non-alcoholic bourbon flavoring, you get this wonderful, woody warmth on the finish. It’s sweet, tart, and warm all at once—it’s what makes this Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail feel so upscale.

Essential Ingredients for the Perfect Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail

Okay, let’s talk about what goes into this beauty. Getting the ingredients right is the absolute key to making sure your Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail tastes like you spent hours crafting it, even though you’re using simple stuff. Because we aren’t using actual bourbon, the quality of these few core things really shines through, so don’t try to sneak in any cheap substitutes!

You need 4 ounces of good cranberry juice. Please, please, please use 100% pure cranberry juice, not the sugary cocktail stuff. That sugary junk will make this drink way too sweet and ruin the balance.
We want 1 ounce of real maple syrup. Don’t even think about imitation syrup here—we need that woody, deep flavor.
Get about half an ounce of fresh lime juice. The zip is crucial! If you have to use bottled, fine, but fresh squeezed is always better, like how I explain keeping hydrated with the right stuff in my hydration post.
Two ounces of sparkling water—this brings the lift and the bubbles we love.
If you want that true adult complexity, grab one dash of non-alcoholic bourbon flavoring. It’s totally optional, but it really sells the illusion!
Loads of good ice cubes. You want them cold!
And finally, some fresh cranberries and a nice lime wedge for making it look gorgeous.

Ingredient Notes and Flavor Adjustments for Your Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail

This is the part where you take control. The cranberries are the backbone, of course, but the maple syrup is where folks often go wrong. In the recipe notes, I mentioned you can tweak this, and I mean it! If you use a very sweet cranberry juice (even the pure stuff can vary), start with just three-quarters of an ounce of maple syrup. You’re looking for the perfect tension: tart enough to wake you up, sweet enough to be comforting. Don’t be afraid to dip a straw in before you add the sparkling water to test it. That little bit of lime juice, however, should almost never be adjusted—it keeps the whole Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail from tasting flat!

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making the Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail

Putting this Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail together is so satisfying because it happens so fast! You aren’t shaking anything aggressively or having to wait for anything to steep. It’s all about building the flavor right inside your favorite glass. Remember how I said we want to keep the bubbles happy when we mix? That’s the trickiest part here, but it’s easy if you follow my lead!

Grab whatever pretty glass you’re using—I love a tall highball for this—and pack it right up to the top with ice cubes. Cold glasses mean a colder drink, which is non-negotiable here.
Next, pour in the juice, the beautiful maple syrup, that hit of fresh lime, and that optional dash of non-alcoholic bourbon stuff if you’re using it. Get everything but the fizzy water in there first.
Now, take a bar spoon—or even a long skewer—and give it a gentle stir. You just want to swirl the liquids so the maple marries the cranberry and lime. If you stir too hard, you’ll break up the ice and start losing your chill factor too soon.
Slowly top that mixture off with your sparkling water. Don’t plop it in; pour it gently against the side of the glass so those lovely bubbles stay put. We want lift, not a flat drink!
Finally, the fun part: garnish! Toss in a few of those beautiful fresh cranberries and wedge that lime right onto the rim. It’s ready to go! I actually wrote about how presentation elevates a mixed drink over on my Sangria post—the same rules apply here!

Chilling Tips for the Best Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail Experience

I stressed chilling the ingredients, and I want to emphasize why that matters for this specific Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail. Because we only have five minutes, we don’t have time for the ice to chill down room temperature juice and syrup properly. If your juice is warm, the ice melts faster trying to compensate, and what happens? You end up with a watered-down, slightly sad drink way too quickly!

So, my real pro tip is this: if you know you are going to make these later in the day, put your cranberry juice, lime juice, and even the maple syrup into the fridge the night before. That way, when you dump those ice-cold liquids into an already iced glass, the drink stays sharp, biting, and perfectly chilled from the absolute first sip all the way to the last little bit of bubbly.

Garnishing Your Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail Like a Pro

Now listen, anyone can dump liquid in a glass, but we aren’t just making a beverage; we are crafting an experience! Presentation is half the fun, especially when you are serving a sophisticated non-alcoholic sipper like this Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail. You want your guests to pause and admire it before they even take that first, wonderful sip.

First off, think about the vessel! If you’re making a big batch, a standard tumbler works just fine, but if you’re making one special serving, try pulling out a coupe glass or a nice, heavy highball. The shape really catches the light and makes the drink look more intentional. It makes a huge difference, trust me!

For the cranberry element, don’t just toss them in! If you have fresh cranberries, take three or four and thread them onto a cute little cocktail pick, or even a sturdy rosemary sprig if you’ve added that variation. Skewer them so they sit right across the top of the glass like a little jewel, half in the drink and half on the rim.

The lime wedge needs attention too. Never just drop it rattling around in the drink where it’ll block the straw. Cut your lime into thin wheels or nice, sharp wedges. Set them right on the rim so their bright green color pops against that deep red mocktail. It’s these small touches that elevate your Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail from ‘juice mix’ to ‘craft cocktail.’ It’s details like this that I always focus on, just like focusing on the right tools for any kitchen task. You can see some other great presentation ideas in my post about the ultimate holiday mocktail!

If you used that non-alcoholic bourbon flavoring, sometimes a tiny, thin dehydrated lime wheel floating on top looks really fancy, too. It adds that visual hint of complexity that lets people know this Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail is special and thought-out!

Variations on the Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail Theme

Because this base is so sturdy and flavorful, I absolutely love playing around with it! You don’t have to stick exactly to the recipe card, that’s just the starting point. My goal is always to add a little something extra to keep things interesting, especially when I’m making a big pitcher of the Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail base for a party.

The easiest place to swap things up is right at the end when we add the fizz. If you’re tired of plain sparkling water—and trust me, I get bored easily—switch it out! Try using a dry ginger ale instead of plain soda water. That tiny bit of spicy ginger really plays up the warm notes from the maple and hints at that bourbon flavor so nicely. You’ll find it adds a completely different dimension to the Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail.

Another little trick I adore in the fall and winter is adding fresh herbs. Forget slicing a lime—grab a sprig of rosemary or a tiny sprig of thyme. Before you mix your liquids, gently clap the herb between your palms just once. This releases the fragrant oils without making it taste bitter. Then, drop that sprig right into your glass before you add the ice! It looks incredible, and the scent mingling with the cranberry and maple is just heavenly. Check out how I use citrus and spice together in my Sparkling Cranberry Orange Ginger Mocktail—the principles are the same!

If you want to lean into the ‘bourbon’ side of things even more without adding any extracts, try swapping out the lime juice for lemon juice *and* adding just a quarter teaspoon of vanilla extract to the mix along with the maple syrup. It adds that cooked-sugar sweetness that mimics barrel aging. It sounds weird, I know, but you have to trust me on this one; the Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail base handles these additions beautifully!

Serving Suggestions for Your Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail

You’ve got this gorgeous, sophisticated Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail ready to go, and now you need something delicious to set next to it, right? You can’t just serve something this flavorful all by itself on a platter! We need appetizers that play nicely with that tart cranberry and that sweet, deep maple flavor without overpowering the mocktail.

When I’m preparing this for a gathering, I immediately think of salty, savory things to balance that sweetness. Think about what you’d serve with a nice charcuterie board—that’s the vibe we’re aiming for here since the Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail has those rich, almost oaky undertones mimicking bourbon.

I always lean toward salty cheeses. A sharp white cheddar cube or maybe some creamy, slightly pungent blue cheese is heavenly alongside this drink. The saltiness just keeps drawing you back for another sip of the mocktail. I’ve got a whole list of amazing, easy things to whip up for parties, like my famous cheesy dips, which you should definitely check out right here!

If you are looking for lighter snacks, skip the heavy fried stuff. Instead, think about canapés that have some fresh elements. Little crostini topped with prosciutto and a sliver of fig jam? Perfect! The fig also brings that dark fruit sweetness that echoes the maple. Or, keep it super simple: candied nuts! The maple in the drink pairs beautifully with salty pecans or walnuts that you’ve quickly tossed in a pan with a tiny bit of brown sugar and salt. Seriously, salty, sweet, and tart—that’s the winning trio for serving alongside your amazing Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail!

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips for the Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail Base

I get asked all the time if I can make this Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail ahead of time, and the answer is a huge, enthusiastic YES! But you absolutely cannot add the bubbly part until the very last second, or you will end up with fizzy flat juice, and that’s a tragedy.

The great news is that the flavor of the base deepens and marries overnight, which is fantastic for party prep. You just need to keep the liquids separate. The base is everything that isn’t the sparkling water—so that’s your cranberry juice, maple syrup, lime juice, and that optional non-alcoholic bourbon flavoring.

Mix all those together and keep them in an airtight pitcher or jar. I’ve actually found that if I make my Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail base the day before, it tastes even richer! I keep the pitcher right in the fridge next to the limes.

When it’s time to serve, you just fill the glasses with ice, pour your pre-mixed, wonderfully chilled base up to about two-thirds full, and then top it off with the sparkling water. That way, everyone gets that fresh, lively fizz!

Now, what about saving leftovers of the base—maybe you made too much? That’s fine! Just pop the lid back on the pitcher or jar and stick it back in the fridge. It stays absolutely perfect for three to four days. Just remember, when you pull it out later, make sure your ice is fresh and that you add a very generous splash of fresh sparkling water to bring back that brightness, because you definitely lose a little bit of the zing sitting in the fridge.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail

I get it—when you find a recipe you love, you immediately start wondering how to adapt it for a crowd or about those little ingredient swaps you might need to make! Don’t sweat it; this Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail is super friendly, but using the right balance is key. Here are the questions I get asked most often when people try making this at home.

Can I make a large batch of the Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail?

Oh yes, you absolutely should make a large batch! That’s how I serve it when we have friends over. Remember what I said about making the base ahead of time? Do that! Mix up all your cranberry juice, lime juice, maple syrup, and if you’re using the non-alcoholic bourbon flavoring, add that in too. Keep that big pitcher chilled in the fridge. This forms your Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail concentrate. You only hold back the sparkling water. When you are ready to serve, you pour your pre-mixed base over ice, and then top each glass individually with fresh, cold sparkling water right away. That way, every single guest gets that perfect level of fizz.

What if I don’t have non-alcoholic bourbon flavoring for this Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail?

That’s super common, honestly! That specific non-alcoholic bourbon flavor is great because it adds that smoky note, but you can get close without it. If you skip the dedicated flavoring, I suggest adding just a tiny drop—seriously, just a drop—of pure vanilla extract into your base mixture along with the maple syrup. Vanilla carries some of those deep, caramelized notes that work so well with maple. If you want a little more spice, a tiny pinch of grated fresh nutmeg stirred into the base can mimic some of that complexity. The key is to keep the overall flavor profile warm, even without the specialized non-alcoholic bourbon flavor component.

Another thing that helps create depth is using dark maple syrup instead of the lighter kind. The darker syrups have more molasses notes, which really helps sell that aged spirit impression. It’s all about layering complexity!

Nutritional Estimates for Your Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail

Now, I know we’re making this Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail because it tastes amazing and feels celebratory, not because we’re counting macros, but it’s smart to know what’s in our glass! Since this drink relies mostly on fruit juice and pure maple syrup, we definitely have some sugar coming in, but it’s worth it when it tastes this good.

Based on the measurements in the recipe (using standard 100% cranberry juice and Grade A maple syrup), here’s a rough idea of what you’re looking at for one serving. Remember, this is my best guess, and using different brands or adjusting the maple syrup will change these figures, so definitely check out my thoughts on fruit sugars if you’re curious about how that works!

Calories: Around 180—not bad for something that feels like a treat!
Total Carbohydrates: About 45 grams.
Sugar Content: This is the big one at roughly 40 grams, mostly coming from the juice and maple.
Fat and Protein: Almost zero here, which is what you expect from a sparkling juice blend.

This all looks pretty standard for a sweet, mixed beverage, even a non-alcoholic one. The key takeaway is that those 40 grams of sugar are coming from natural sources, not artificial sweeteners, which is why the flavor feels so rich and balanced in this Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail.

A quick, necessary disclaimer: these numbers are all approximations, okay? If you swap out the maple syrup for stevia, or if you use a lower-sugar cranberry cocktail blend instead of the pure juice, your numbers will shift. Use this chart as a helpful little guide, but don’t stress too much about hitting these numbers exactly when you are enjoying this fantastic Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail!

Share Your Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail Creations

Well, we’ve reached the end, and now it’s your turn to get shaking—or, well, stirring! I really, truly hope you make this Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail soon. When you do, I absolutely live for hearing how it turned out for you and what little tweaks you might have made to my recipe. Did you go heavy on the maple? Did you find a fantastic non-alcoholic bourbon flavoring alternative?

Don’t be shy! Head down to the comments section right now and let me know what you think. A simple rating tells me everything I need to know, but a detailed note about how your guests reacted to that gorgeous color is even better.

If you made this Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail and felt extra proud of the way you garnished it—and I know you did!—please snap a picture! Tag me on social media so I can see your beautiful glassware and perfectly skewered cranberries. There is nothing more fun than seeing my recipes come to life in your kitchen and shared with your friends. Seeing you all enjoy these sophisticated, easy sips is honestly why I spend way too much time testing flavor balances!

Cranberry Maple Bourbon Mocktail

Author: ferecipe.com
Total Time: 5 min
Yield: 1 serving 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A non-alcoholic mixed drink featuring cranberry, maple, and bourbon flavor notes.

Ingredients

Scale

4 oz cranberry juice
1 oz maple syrup
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
2 oz sparkling water
1 dash non-alcoholic bourbon flavoring (optional)
Ice
Cranberries and lime wedge for garnish

Instructions

Fill a glass with ice.
Pour the cranberry juice, maple syrup, lime juice, and non-alcoholic bourbon flavoring (if using) into the glass.
Stir the mixture gently to combine.
Top with sparkling water.
Garnish with fresh cranberries and a lime wedge before serving.

Notes

Adjust the maple syrup amount based on your preferred sweetness level.
For a colder drink, chill all liquid ingredients before mixing.

Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 0 min
Category: Beverage
Method: Mixing
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 drink
Calories: 180
Sugar: 40
Sodium: 5
Fat: 0
Saturated Fat: 0
Unsaturated Fat: 0
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 45
Fiber: 0
Protein: 0
Cholesterol: 0

Keywords: cranberry, maple, bourbon mocktail, non-alcoholic, sparkling drink, festive beverage