Holiday Sparkling Cranberry Mocktail

How to make Holiday Ice Cubes:

1. Fill an ice cube tray with water and drop in a couple of fresh cranberries and a small slice of orange. Freeze until solid. I like to use these large ice cube trays from Amazon. You can also use smaller ice cube trays.

How to create a Sugar Rimmed Glass:

1. Dip the rim of the glass about ¼ inch deep into water or cranberry juice, to moisten the entire rim. This allows the sugar to stick to it.Place granulated sugar in a shallow bowl. Gently press the glass rim into the sugar, pressing and rolling slightly to ensure an even coating.

How to make a Cranberry Mocktail:

1. Make a sugar rim. Dip a glass into water and then a shallow dish of sugar to coat the rim. See above for instructions on coating a glass in sugar. Fill a glass with ice cubes (preferably fresh cranberry orange ice cubes).
2. Add cranberry juice. Add a sparkling bubbly drink. Top with your choice of Cranberry Sprite, Sprite, or seltzer. I suggest a 50/50 -- 50% juice and 50% sparkling drink but you could do 75% juice and 25% sparkling. Garnish with fresh cranberries, orange slices, and a sprig of rosemary for a festive touch.

Garnishes:

1. Skewer fresh cranberries on a cocktail pick and rest it on the rim. Add a sprig of rosemary or mint for a holiday greenery touch.