Mocktail season is officially here, and my partner (hi, Miggy!) took a full Sunday to experiment. After eight years behind the bar, he can build a zero-proof drink that tastes every bit as thoughtful as a cocktail: layered, balanced, and irresistibly sippable.

This year, we wanted to create a few holiday-ready mocktails using one of my favorite small businesses from the TME shop: Mother Shrub, a woman-owned brand that makes incredible apple-cider-vinegar-based mixers. They’re bright, punchy, and you only need the smallest splash to completely transform a drink.

Let’s sip.

** Check out our shop for more last-minute holiday gift/hosting ideas! Orders placed by 12/18 will ship on 12/19.

How To Make The Perfect Mocktail

But first… a few hints I’ve picked up on crafting the perfect drink. You’ll need:

• The Base | We used: spiced apple cider, Trader Joe’s sparkling winter sangria and Cranberry-Ginger brew, and some regular Club Soda. For the bubbles, any festive sparkling drink will work!
• Add Flavor | We used: homemade simple syrup*, cranberry juice, lemon juice and the Mother Shrub mixing vinegars.
• Garnish | We used: rosemary sprigs, diced apple, blackberries, cranberries and cinnamon sticks.

*Homemade Simple Syrup: this is super easy to make! Start with equal parts water and white granulated sugar. Boil the water, and stir in the sugar until dissolved. Allow to cool before using. Store in an airtight container for up to a week in the fridge!

The following recipes are measured as single-servings, with an included note on how to make them in a batch. I’d recommend snagging one of these if you find yourself dealing with the ounces (it’ll make you feel like a fancy bartender, too)!

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1. The Holiday Wassail

Served warm or chilled – your choice.

This one’s my favorite – it has the warmth of apple cider, the tartness of cranberry, and just enough brightness from the lemon and the Mother Shrub Black Cherry mixer to keep you going back for another sip:

Yield: 1

The Holiday Wassail

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If you love something fruity, spiced, and deeply cozy, this is your (and my favorite) drink.

Make It Batched: Measure in cups instead of ounces. Makes about 8 servings.

Ingredients

• 2 oz spiced apple cider
• 2 oz cranberry juice
• ¾ oz simple syrup
• ¾ oz lemon juice
• ¼ oz Mother Shrub Black Cherry mixer
• 2 oz holiday or cranberry–orange seltzer
• Garnish: cinnamon sticks, blackberries, cranberries, and apple slices

Instructions

To Make (Chilled):

1. Combine spiced cider, cranberry juice, simple syrup, lemon juice, and Black Cherry Mother Shrub in a mug or glass.
2. Stir well.
3. Top with holiday or cranberry–orange seltzer.
4. Add your fruit + cinnamon garnish for a festive look.

Optional Mulled Version:

Simmer everything except the fruit and seltzer for about 30 minutes. Pour into mugs and add the garnishes. (Skip the seltzer entirely or add just a splash after heating.)

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2. The Holiday 75

Light, bubbly, and a little fancy – perfect for toasting.

This one’s inspired by my favorite drink, the French 75. Bubbles + acidity (from the lemon-cran) + the salted honey Mother Shrub (for balance) = the perfect celebratory moment.

Yield: 1

The Holiday 75

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You've heard of the French 75...

Make It Batched: Measure in cups instead of ounces. Makes about 7 servings.

Ingredients

• ½ oz lemon juice
• ½ oz simple syrup
• ½ oz cranberry juice
• ½ oz Mother Shrub Salted Honey mixer
• 4–5 oz club soda or seltzer water
• Garnish: rosemary sprig + a few cranberries

Instructions

1. Add lemon juice, simple syrup, cranberry juice, and Salted Honey Mother Shrub to a flute.
2. Gently stir.
3. Top with chilled club soda or seltzer (it will naturally layer and look pretty).
4. Garnish with a rosemary sprig and floating cranberries.

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3. The Holiday Smash

Fruit-forward, pretty, and SO fun to make.

If you’re someone who loves a drink that’s refreshing with just a touch of tartness, the Holiday Smash is your girl. The muddled fruit gives it a gorgeous color, and TJ’s cranberry-ginger seltzer takes it right into holiday territory.

Yield: 1

The Holiday Smash

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Refreshing with a touch of tartness.

Make It Batched: Measure in cups instead of ounces, and grab a healthy handful of each berry/fruit. Makes about 6 servings.

Ingredients

• 2 blackberries
• 4–5 cranberries
• 4–5 small apple chunks
• ¼ oz simple syrup
• 2 oz cranberry juice
• 3–4 oz cranberry–ginger seltzer
• Ice

Instructions

1. In a wine glass, smash the blackberries, cranberries, and apple chunks with the simple syrup.
2. Add cranberry juice and stir.
3. Add ice.
4. Top with cranberry–ginger seltzer.

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Happy sipping!

xo,

Jeni (+Miggy)