Oh, you have GOT to try this! I’m always looking for something bright and bubbly to sip that won’t leave me reaching for my keys later. When I first mixed up this absolutely electric Cranberry Thyme Spritz Mocktail, it was totally by accident during a last-minute summer BBQ prep. I was out of gin but had tons of fresh thyme from the garden!

Trust me when I say this is the easiest, most sophisticated non-alcoholic drink you will ever pull together. It hits that perfect spot: tart from the cranberry, earthy and warm from the thyme, and wonderfully fizzy. It feels fancy, but honestly, it takes less than five minutes to shake up a single glass. You’re going to love how it makes any afternoon feel like a celebration.

Why This Cranberry Thyme Spritz Mocktail is a Must-Try

I’m telling you, this is the drink you mix when you want something impressive without demanding a whole afternoon in the kitchen. It’s bright, it’s herbaceous, and honestly, it’s my go-to when I don’t want alcohol but still want that beautiful, bubbly cocktail feel. It’s magic, I promise!

Here’s why folks always ask me for the recipe:

Zero fuss! It’s ready faster than you can find clean silverware.
It feels sophisticated—that thyme really elevates it from plain juice.
Perfect for everyone because it is 100% alcohol-free.

Quick Preparation for the Cranberry Thyme Spritz Mocktail

We are talking five minutes, tops. Seriously! If you have juice, a little lime, and a sprig of thyme, you are good to go. This means less time shaking shakers and more time actually hanging out with your guests. It’s the ultimate last-minute refreshment when you realize you’re out of mixers.

Refreshing Flavor Profile of the Cranberry Thyme Spritz Mocktail

The real star here is the balance. The cranberry juice gives you that necessary tart punch, but the thyme stops it from being too sweet or too flat. When you top it with sparkling water, you get this fantastic lift. That little hint of herb makes this Cranberry Thyme Spritz Mocktail taste expensive and thoughtfully crafted, even though it’s super simple.

Essential Ingredients for Your Cranberry Thyme Spritz Mocktail

When we make this drink, I always focus on quality for the few things that are actually going in there. Since there are so few components, you really taste each one, so don’t cheat on the good stuff!

You’ll need four main players. First, grab 4 ounces of cranberry juice. I prefer 100% juice over the sugary cocktail stuff, but you measure what tastes right for you. Next, you need that zing—1 ounce of fresh lime juice. Please, please use fresh lime! The bottled stuff just doesn’t cut it here.

Then comes the special touch: one fresh sprig of thyme. This is mandatory; don’t even think about dried herbs here! Finally, top it off with 4 ounces of sparkling water or club soda to get those lovely bubbles. If your juice is super tart, you have the option of adding just 1 teaspoon of simple syrup, but taste first!

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make the Cranberry Thyme Spritz Mocktail

Okay, buckle up, because this is where the real magic happens in less than five minutes. The technique for the Cranberry Thyme Spritz Mocktail is super hands-off, but there is one place you need to pay attention, and that’s waking up those thyme leaves!

Muddling the Thyme for the Cranberry Thyme Spritz Mocktail

Grab your mixing glass or even just a sturdy tumbler—whatever you plan to serve in works fine! Take that beautiful sprig of fresh thyme and place it right at the bottom. Now, you want to muddle this gently. I’m not grinding herbs into a paste here; I just want to press down enough times—maybe three or four easy pushes—to release those wonderful oils. If you crush it too hard, it gets bitter, and nobody wants a mad, bitter drink!

Here’s a secret tip if you’re making this for later or if you like a really deep, herbaceous flavor: once you’ve muddled, pour the cranberry juice, lime juice, and optional syrup over the thyme and let it sit for about five minutes before adding ice. This infuses the base beautifully. If you’re making single drinks on the fly, just go straight to chilling!

Assembling and Finishing the Cranberry Thyme Spritz Mocktail

Once your base is ready—either infused or not—it’s time to chill things down. Fill your glass right up to the top with ice cubes. Then, pour in your cranberry juice mixture. Next, you’re going to top it all off with the sparkling water or club soda. Fill it right to the brim!

The absolute last step is combining everything. You need to stir gently. You don’t want to flatten all those lovely bubbles we just added! A quick, slow stir around the glass is all it takes. Garnish is key for that professional look, so top it with another fresh thyme sprig—give it a little tap on your hand first to wake up the scent—or slide on a thin lime wheel. If you want even more thyme flavor in your life, you could check out how I make my other thyme-infused drinks, but this spritz stands perfectly on its own!

Expert Tips for the Perfect Cranberry Thyme Spritz Mocktail

I’ve made this drink dozens and dozens of times now, and I have learned a few little tricks that take it from good to absolutely stunning. See, making a great mocktail isn’t just about shaking juices together; it’s about layering those subtle tastes so they all sing at once. Don’t sweat the small stuff, but if you follow these little pointers, your Cranberry Thyme Spritz Mocktail will be legendary at your next gathering!

Thyme Selection and Substitution Tips for Your Cranberry Thyme Spritz Mocktail

Rule number one: Fresh thyme is non-negotiable if you can swing it. The fresh sprigs release those aromatic oils when muddled, which is what gives the drink that amazing, warming scent. Look for sprigs that are still vibrant green, nothing wilted or brown. If you happen to raid your garden like I do, make sure you rinse them off first, of course!

Now, what if you’re out of fresh thyme? Oops! I know it happens. You can buy thyme simple syrup, and if you use that instead of the plain one, use about half an ounce to start. If you can’t find that either, you can grab a teensy pinch—like, seriously tiny—of dried thyme, but you must muddle it much longer, about a minute, to wake it up. Better yet, think ahead! You can prepare lovely frozen flavour bombs, like my orange thyme ice cubes, and use those instead of regular ice. That way, as the ice melts, the flavor gets stronger, not weaker!

Sweetness Adjustment in the Cranberry Thyme Spritz Mocktail

This part is all down to your taste buds and what cranberry juice you grabbed. Some juices are already loaded with sugar sweetener, and others, like those tart, unsweetened ones, need a little boost. That’s why the simple syrup is listed as optional, not required!

When I use a really sharp, pure cranberry juice, I usually need that full teaspoon of simple syrup. But if I grab a cranberry-cherry blend, I skip the syrup entirely. My advice for the perfect Cranberry Thyme Spritz Mocktail is always to taste the cranberry juice *before* you mix everything. If it’s already quite sweet, just add the lime juice and sparkling water. If it tastes like it needs a handshake from sugar, add the teaspoon, stir well, taste again, and *then* top with soda. You control the party!

Variations on the Cranberry Thyme Spritz Mocktail

The beauty of a simple template like this Cranberry Thyme Spritz Mocktail is that you can totally riff on it! Once you nail that cranberry-thyme base, you can switch up the final topper or add a little extra something for fun. It’s all about making it your own signature sip, you know?

If you want to lean into a different citrus note, ditch the lime and try using grapefruit juice instead. It gives the drink a slightly bitter edge that plays surprisingly well with the herbaceous thyme. It’s a little bolder, which I love when it’s sweltering outside!

For a sweeter, warmer note, you could easily swap out the plain sparkling water for a good quality ginger ale. Just be careful with the simple syrup if you do this, because ginger ale usually brings a lot of its own sweetness. I actually have a whole recipe dedicated to that combination if you’re feeling adventurous; check out my sparkling cranberry orange ginger version for inspiration!

Another fun trick? If you have some fresh rosemary around, just toss one tiny needle in with the thyme when you muddle. Rosemary and cranberry are old friends, and it just adds another layer of cozy aroma to your amazing mocktail.

Serving Suggestions for the Cranberry Thyme Spritz Mocktail

This drink is so versatile, which is why I love it. It feels perfectly at home at a fancy holiday appetizer spread, but honestly, I mix it up just to sip while I’m doing yard work in July. It’s the ultimate refreshment!

It pairs beautifully with anything savory and slightly salty. Think salty prosciutto-wrapped melon, sharp cheddar cheese boards, or light appetizers like spinach dip. If you are hosting a brunch where you need mocktail options, this is a winner. It’s refreshing enough that it works year-round, though if you’re making big batches for a crowd, you might want to check out my tips for keeping things bubbly in my hydrating fruit punch guide!

Storage and Make-Ahead Notes for Cranberry Thyme Spritz Mocktail Components

Because this drink comes together so fast, you really only need to think ahead about the garnish or maybe prepping a bigger batch of simple syrup if you plan on making the Cranberry Thyme Spritz Mocktail multiple times this week. I never store the finished drink, though—that fizz is too precious to let sit!

If you want to make your life even easier next time, go ahead and whip up a batch of thyme simple syrup. It’s silly easy: just combine equal parts sugar and water, heat until the sugar dissolves, and then steep a whole handful of thyme sprigs in the hot liquid for about 30 minutes. Strain it out and store it in a tightly sealed jar in the fridge. It will last for a couple of weeks easy!

For the garnishes, if you’re serving a crowd, go ahead and slice all your lime wheels the morning of the party. Pop them into a sealed container with just a tiny splash of water in the bottom—this keeps them from drying out and curling up on the rim of your glass!

Frequently Asked Questions About the Cranberry Thyme Spritz Mocktail

I get so many questions about this little fizzy number, which just proves everyone needs one in their rotation! People usually wonder about scaling it up or exactly what kind of juice I’m using for that perfect tartness. Here are the things I hear most often when people ask about making the perfect Cranberry Thyme Spritz Mocktail.

Can I make a large batch of the Cranberry Thyme Spritz Mocktail?

Oh yes, you absolutely can! But here’s the catch you have to remember: don’t add the sparkling water until the very last second. What I do for parties is premix the cranberry juice, lime juice, and simple syrup (if using) together in a big pitcher. I even muddle the thyme right into that pitcher the day before, sometimes letting it steep overnight for maximum flavor! But that sparkling water? That’s the kiss of life for the drink, and it goes flat fast. So, mix the base, chill it, and then, right before you serve a glass, pour the base over ice and top it with the cold club soda. It keeps everything fresh and bubbly!

What kind of cranberry juice works best?

This is crucial! If you use a standard cranberry juice cocktail, you’re probably going to want to skip the added simple syrup entirely because those cocktail blends are already swimming in sugar. I strongly recommend using 100% pure, unsweetened cranberry juice. Yes, it’s tart, but that’s what balances out the sweet herbs and lime juice we are using. If pure juice is too much for you, try a 50/50 blend of the pure juice and a less-sweet juice like white grape or apple. It keeps the flavor cleaner than the pre-sweetened stuff.

Is this Cranberry Thyme Spritz Mocktail suitable for kids?

Totally! That’s one of the biggest reasons I love this recipe so much. Since we aren’t using any spirits at all—it’s just juice, lime, aromatic herbs, and soda water—it’s completely non-alcoholic. Kids love the color, and the thyme isn’t too overpowering if you muddle gently. It’s a fun, fancy-looking drink they can enjoy right alongside the adults. If you’re making a big batch for a family gathering, you might want to check out my guide on natural hydration drinks for more family-friendly options too!

Nutritional Estimates for the Cranberry Thyme Spritz Mocktail

Now, I have to be upfront here: I don’t spend a lot of time hovering over spreadsheets when I’m whipping up drinks, but I do like to have a rough idea of what’s in my favorite sips. Because this Cranberry Thyme Spritz Mocktail relies on juice and optional syrup, those numbers can bounce around a little depending on what you use!

These figures are just estimates based on using a standard 100% cranberry juice and the full teaspoon of simple syrup. If you skip the syrup, your sugar count will drop big time! You can learn more about how fruit juice stacks up in my deep dive on the surprising sugar content of fruits exposed.

Here’s the baseline breakdown for one full serving:

Calories: Around 110
Sugar: Roughly 25g (this is where the juice really dictates the score!)
Fat: Zippy zero!
Protein: Also zero, sadly, but who drinks this for protein, right?
Carbohydrates: About 27g
Sodium: Very low, around 5mg

So, while it’s got some natural sugar from the fruit, it’s wonderfully light and refreshing with no fat or cholesterol to worry about. Enjoy it guilt-free!

Cranberry Thyme Spritz Mocktail

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

Print Recipe

Description

A refreshing, non-alcoholic beverage featuring cranberry and thyme flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

4 oz cranberry juice
1 oz fresh lime juice
1 sprig fresh thyme
4 oz sparkling water or club soda
1 tsp simple syrup (optional)
Ice cubes

Instructions

Gently muddle the thyme sprig in the bottom of a glass.
Add the cranberry juice, lime juice, and simple syrup (if using) to the glass.
Fill the glass with ice cubes.
Top with sparkling water or club soda.
Stir gently to combine the ingredients.
Garnish with a fresh thyme sprig or a lime wheel.

Notes

For a stronger thyme flavor, let the muddled thyme sit in the juice mixture for five minutes before adding ice.
Adjust the simple syrup amount based on the sweetness of your cranberry juice.

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

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 drink
Calories: 110
Sugar: 25g
Sodium: 5mg
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 27g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: Cranberry Thyme Spritz, Mocktail, Non-alcoholic drink, Thyme beverage, Cranberry juice recipe