Welcome to my favorite holiday creation! This Christmas Pudding Mocktail brings all the magic of traditional Christmas pudding into a delicious drink that everyone can enjoy. I developed this recipe after years of wanting a truly special non-alcoholic option for holiday gatherings.
The combination of rich pomegranate and cranberry juices infused with dried fruits and warm spices creates a drink that genuinely tastes like Christmas in a glass. The best part? You can make it ahead of time, so there's one less thing to worry about on the big day.
Whether you serve it cold over ice with a festive coconut rim, warm in a cozy mug on a snowy evening, or sparkling for a New Year's toast, this versatile mocktail will become your new holiday tradition.
Why I Love This
- Authentic Flavor: This mocktail genuinely tastes like Christmas pudding with its delicious blend of pomegranate, cranberry, mixed fruit, and warm spices.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare it 1-2 days in advance to save precious time during your holiday celebrations.
- Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy it cold over ice, warm in a cozy mug, or as a sparkling drink when topped with sparkling water.
- Perfect for Everyone: A festive non-alcoholic option that doesn't compromise on taste or presentation.
- Customizable: Easily adjust sweetness, spice levels, and garnishes to suit your preferences.
- Stunning Presentation: The coconut rim and vibrant color make this a showstopper at any holiday gathering.
Ingredients
These ingredients work together to perfectly capture the essence of Christmas pudding in liquid form. The cranberry and pomegranate juices create a rich, deep base reminiscent of traditional pudding sauce, while the dried mixed fruit adds authentic holiday flavor and natural sweetness.
Orange and lemon brighten the drink with festive citrus notes, and the classic Christmas spices: cloves, mixed spice and nutmeg, bring warmth and complexity that's immediately recognizable as "Christmas pudding" with each sip. The coconut rim adds a touch of snowy celebration, completing this alcohol-free interpretation of a beloved holiday dessert.
- 1 cup cranberry juice (low sugar, organic preferred)
- 1 cup pomegranate juice (100% pure)
- ½ cup dried mixed fruit (with orange and lemon rind if possible)
- 2 teaspoons orange zest (from 1 medium orange)
- 4 slices orange
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (from 1 small lemon)
- 2 slices lemon
- 2 whole cloves
- ½ teaspoon mixed spice (also known as pudding spice or pumpkin pie spice)
- ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (or ground)
- 1 tablespoon fine desiccated coconut (for garnish)
For Garnish (Optional)
- Cinnamon sticks
- Fresh mint or rosemary sprigs
- Additional orange slices
- Star anise
Equipment
- Large Glass Jug or Bowl: For infusing all the ingredients together - a 1-liter capacity is ideal for proper flavor extraction.
- Cheesecloth or Fine Strainer: Essential for filtering out the fruit pieces and spices, creating a smooth final drink.
- Citrus Zester or Microplane: For efficiently removing just the flavorful outer layer of the citrus fruits without the bitter pith.
- Decorative Glasses: Round glasses showcase the beautiful color and garnishes, but any festive glassware works well.
- Shallow Dish: For the coconut rim decoration process.
- Ice Cube Tray: If serving cold, large ice cubes melt more slowly and won't dilute your drink as quickly.
How To Make
- Prepare the Citrus: Zest the orange and lemon before slicing them. Remember to only remove the colored part of the peel, avoiding the bitter white pith.
- Combine Ingredients: Place all ingredients (except the coconut for garnish) in a large glass jug or bowl.
- Infuse: Cover the mixture and refrigerate overnight or up to 48 hours. The longer it infuses, the more developed the flavors will be.
- Strain: Remove the larger pieces of fruit, then strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or fine strainer into a clean container, pressing gently to extract all the flavorful liquid.
- Prepare Glasses: If using the coconut rim, moisten the rim of each glass with a slice of orange or lemon, then dip into a shallow dish containing the desiccated coconut.
- Serve:
- Cold Version: Fill glasses with ice and pour the strained mocktail over.
- Warm Version: Heat the desired amount in a microwave-safe mug until warm (not boiling).
- Sparkling Version: Fill the glass halfway with the mocktail and top with sparkling water or non-alcoholic sparkling wine.
- Garnish: Add orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and fresh herbs as desired.
Substitutions
- Cranberry Juice: Substitute with black cherry juice or raspberry juice for a different but equally festive flavor.
- Pomegranate Juice: Blackcurrant juice or tart cherry juice can work as alternatives.
- Dried Mixed Fruit: Use only raisins, cranberries, or chopped dried apricots if mixed fruit isn't available.
- Mixed Spice: Create your own by combining equal parts cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice with a pinch of cloves.
- Fresh Nutmeg: Ground allspice or additional mixed spice can be substituted if nutmeg isn't available.
- Coconut Rim: Try a rim of finely crushed graham crackers mixed with a touch of cinnamon for a different festive touch.
Pro Tips
- Quality Juices Matter: Use 100% pure juices without added sugars for the best flavor. Organic options typically have better flavor profiles.
- Perfect Zesting Technique: When zesting citrus, rotate the fruit as you go to avoid digging too deeply into the bitter white pith.
- Straining Secret: For an ultra-smooth drink, double-strain by passing it through a fine mesh strainer after the cheesecloth.
- Flavor Development: This mocktail actually improves with time—the 48-hour infusion creates the most complex flavor profile.
- Ice Management: If serving cold, chill the mixture thoroughly before serving and use large ice cubes to prevent dilution.
- Balanced Sweetness: Taste before serving. If too tart, add a touch of maple syrup or honey (½ teaspoon at a time).
- Make It a Signature Drink: Create a beautiful display by preparing a large batch in a clear drink dispenser surrounded by fresh cranberries, orange slices, and cinnamon sticks.
FAQ
Yes! For those who prefer an alcoholic version, add 1 oz of spiced rum, brandy, or bourbon per serving after straining.
Prepare a large batch in advance, then set up a mocktail station with two dispensers, one with the cold version and one with the warm version. Include garnish options so guests can customize.
While dried fruit offers a more concentrated flavor reminiscent of Christmas pudding, you can substitute with fresh berries, pomegranate arils, and diced oranges. The flavor profile will be brighter and less traditional.
Absolutely! It's completely non-alcoholic and can be enjoyed by guests of all ages.
Use unsweetened cranberry juice and reduce the amount of dried fruit to ¼ cup for a less sweet version.
Yes! Freeze the strained mixture in ice cube trays to add a festive touch to sparkling water or other beverages.
Don't discard it! The infused fruit is delicious spooned over vanilla ice cream, yogurt, or folded into muffin batter.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Christmas Pudding Mocktail
Ingredients
- 1 cup cranberry juice low sugar, organic preferred
- 1 cup pomegranate juice 100% pure
- ½ cup dried mixed fruit with orange and lemon rind if possible
- 2 teaspoons orange zest from 1 medium orange
- 4 slices orange
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest from 1 small lemon
- 2 slices lemon
- 2 whole cloves
- ½ teaspoon mixed spice also known as pudding spice or pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg or ground
- 1 tablespoon fine desiccated coconut for garnish
For Garnish (Optional)
- Cinnamon sticks
- Fresh mint or rosemary sprigs
- Additional orange slices
- Star anise
Instructions
- Combine cranberry juice, pomegranate juice, dried mixed fruit, orange and lemon zest, orange and lemon slices, cloves, mixed spice, and nutmeg in a large glass jug or bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight or up to 2 days to allow flavors to develop.
- Remove the larger fruit pieces from the mixture. Strain the liquid through a cheesecloth, fine strainer, or clean cotton cloth into a clean container, pressing gently to extract all the flavorful liquid.
- To serve cold, prepare your glasses by moistening the rim with orange juice and dipping into desiccated coconut for a festive touch. Fill glasses with ice and pour the strained mocktail over.
- For a warm version, pour the strained mixture into a mug and heat in the microwave until warm but not boiling. For a sparkling version, fill your glass halfway with the mocktail and top with sparkling water.
- Garnish with orange slices, a cinnamon stick, or fresh herbs if desired. Store any leftover mocktail in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
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