Pin it
This DIY Holiday Slush Mocktail brings joy to any winter celebration with minimal effort. Mix together orange juice, lemonade concentrate, and cranberry juice, then top with bubbly cherry lemon-lime soda for a frozen drink everyone can enjoy. The sparkly, fruity blend looks amazing and tastes even better—making your gatherings extra special without any alcohol needed.
What Makes This Drink Special
The balance of zesty lemon, tangy cranberry, and sweet orange creates an amazing taste experience when topped with fizzy soda. You can make it way ahead of time, so you won't be stuck making drinks during your party. It's super easy to double or triple for big groups and looks so fancy that nobody will miss the alcohol.
Stuff You'll Need
- For the Frozen Mix:
- 4 cups cranberry juice (try to use 100% juice)
- 2 cups orange juice
- 2 cans (12 oz each) frozen lemonade concentrate
- When You're Ready to Serve:
- 1-2 liters cherry lemon-lime soda
- Ice cream scoop
- Pretty glasses
- To Make It Look Nice:
- Fresh cranberries
- Orange slices
- Mint leaves
- Sugar-coated cranberries (if you want)
How to Put It Together
- Blend the Juices
- Grab a big bowl and mix orange juice, frozen lemonade concentrate, and cranberry juice. Keep stirring until everything's smooth with no frozen chunks.
- Pop It in the Freezer
- Pour the mixture into something freezer-safe. Leave it overnight or at least 8 hours, giving it a stir now and then if you remember.
- Get Ready to Serve
- Take it out about 10 minutes early so it softens up. Make sure your soda's cold and your garnishes are ready to go.
- Fill Your Glasses
- Use the ice cream scoop to put slush in each glass, about halfway up. Pour the cherry lemon-lime soda on top until it gets fizzy.
- Add the Pretty Stuff
- Throw in some cranberries, orange slices, or mint leaves to make it look fancy. Serve right away before it melts or goes flat.
Tricks for the Best Results
Don't skimp on the juice quality. Make sure your soda is super cold before mixing. Always put the slush back in the freezer between servings. Give it a stir once or twice while it's freezing. If it gets too hard, just let it sit out for a few minutes.
Pin it
Ways to Serve It
Why not set up a little drink bar with your frozen mix, cold soda, and fun toppings? You can even rim some glasses with sugar for extra flair. Try using straws that match your holiday colors. For big get-togethers, fill glasses with slush ahead of time and keep them in the freezer until needed. These drinks go great with Christmas snacks or party nibbles.
Keeping It Fresh
Your slush base will stay good in the freezer for up to a month. Just keep it in something airtight and stir it now and then. Always add the soda right when you're about to drink it. You can make tons at once and split it between containers. If it freezes too solid, just let it warm up a bit before scooping.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How long before serving should I make this?
- Make the mixture and freeze it overnight—it’s fine to keep it frozen for a few days until you need it.
- → What’s the simple syrup for?
- The simple syrup ensures the sugar melts evenly into the drink, so there’s no gritty texture.
- → Is there alcohol in this?
- Nope, it’s alcohol-free, so everyone at your party can enjoy it.
- → What’s the best way to serve this?
- Break apart the frozen mix, add a scoop to each glass, pour on cherry soda, and decorate with cranberries or orange slices.
- → Can I switch up the juices?
- You can try other flavors, but sticking to cranberry, orange, and lemonade will give the best holiday vibes.