Kick off the season with a cheerful swirl-this Easy Christmas Drink is the kind of holiday mocktail that brings joy with minimal fuss. With just a few simple ingredients and a sprinkle of festive sparkle, it's the perfect sip for gatherings, nights in, or when you simply want something merry and delicious.
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Why This Recipe Works
Versatility: It works as a non-alcoholic drink or can easily be elevated with a splash of your favourite spirit if you like.
Simplicity: It uses very few ingredients so you won't be scrambling through the fridge or pantry.
Festive flavour balance: The tartness of cranberry juice mixes beautifully with the vanilla-sweet tones and fizzy cola for holiday cheer.
Speed: You can whip it up in minutes - great for when guests arrive or you need a quick treat.
Looking for more easy and delicious holiday recipes? Don't miss my Christmas Popcorn, Cranberry Relish, Soft Gingerbread Cookies, Gingerbread Christmas Tree, Grinch Cookies, Christmas Cake Pops, and these Easy Chocolate Truffles.
What This Recipe Needs
- Coca-Cola: Provides the fizzy, familiar cola base, which gives sweetness, effervescence, and a nostalgic flavor.
- Cranberry Cocktail Juice: Delivers the bright holiday-appropriate tart-sweet cranberry flavor and color, making the drink look festive and taste seasonal.
- Vanilla Extract: I use imitation vanilla extract, which has no alcohol in it, but real extract can be used too. Vanilla adds warmth, depth, and a dessert-like hint, which elevates the drink from everyday soda to something special and holiday-worthy.
- Optional Garnish: Candied cranberries add extra sparkle and holiday flair!
Substitutions
- Use diet cola (or other cola alternative) instead of regular Coca-Cola if you want fewer calories or less sugar.
- Swap the cranberry cocktail juice for pure cranberry juice (unsweetened) if you prefer more tartness - just adjust sweetness accordingly.
- Use pure vanilla extract instead of imitation vanilla flavouring (or vice versa), depending on what you have on hand or your taste preference.
- Replace ice and sugared cranberry garnish with frozen cranberries, which act as both ice and garnish for a fun twist.
Love cranberries as much as I do? Make sure to check out my Cranberry Margarita, Cranberry Mint Julep, Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice, Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip, and these tasty Cranberry Orange Muffins!
How to Make Easy Christmas Drink?
- Step 1: Add ice and soda to a cup.
- Step 2: Add few drops of vanilla extract.
- Step 3: Top off with cranberry juice.
- Step 4: Stir, garnish with sugared cranberries or mint leaves, and enjoy!
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Variations
- Turn it into an adult version by adding a shot of rum or vodka for a grown-up holiday treat.
- Make a sparkling wine version: use sparkling water or prosecco instead of part of the cola for a lighter, bubbly version.
- Create a non-cranberry variation: swap cranberry juice for pomegranate juice and garnish with pomegranate arils.
- Add a spiced twist: stir in a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg or rim the glass with spiced sugar for extra holiday warmth.
Having a Christmas Party? Check out these fun Christmas appetizers and snacks: Hot Artichoke Dip, Spinach Dip, Stuffed Mushrooms, Artisan Bread (no knead), Candied Orange Peels, Oreo Truffles, Christmas Tree Bruschetta.
Expert Tips
- Garnishes aren't just pretty - they add subtle flavor and texture: consider sugared cranberries, a sprig of rosemary, a few mint leaves, or a twist of citrus peel for aroma and visual impact.
- Chill your glasses in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before serving so the drink stays colder longer and looks frosty.
- Start with fewer drops of imitation vanilla extract - vanilla can get strong quickly - taste and adjust as needed.
- Pour cola slowly over the back of a spoon or down the side of the glass to preserve more fizz and keep the drink bubbly.
Frequently Asked Questions
An Easy Christmas Drink is a holiday-themed beverage (cocktail or mocktail) that uses minimal ingredients but delivers maximum festive flavor, like the cranberry-vanilla-cola blend in this recipe.
Yes - you can pre-measure the vanilla and cranberry juice, refrigerate, then just add the cola and ice when ready to serve to keep fizz and freshness.
Absolutely. Since the recipe as written uses no alcohol, imitation vanilla extract, and relies on cola and cranberry juice, it's perfectly family-friendly and inclusive of non-drinkers.
To make it less sweet, choose diet or zero-sugar cola and use pure (unsweetened) cranberry juice instead of cocktail juice; to make it sweeter, stick with regular cola and use cranberry cocktail juice.
Yes - scale up the cranberry juice and vanilla flavoring in a large pitcher, chill it, then pour over ice and top with cola individually at serving time so each glass stays fizzy.
More Festive Recipes
If you like this Christmas Drink recipe, make sure to check out all my Easy Christmas recipes, like Christmas Tree Cupcakes, Peppermint Bark, Holiday Cake, Peppermint Cupcakes, Christmas Oreo Balls, Chex Mix Muddy Muddies, and Christmas Wreath Cookies.
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Easy Christmas Drink
Ingredients
- 1 can Coca-Cola or Coca-Cola® Zero Sugar.
- ½ cup Cranberry Cocktail Juice
- 2-3 drops Imitation Vanilla extract per drink
Instructions
- Fill a glass ¾ of the with Coca-Cola® and ice.1 can Coca-Cola or Coca-Cola® Zero Sugar.
- Add 2 to 3 drops of imitation vanilla extract.2-3 drops Imitation Vanilla extract
- Top the glass off with cranberry juice. Give it a good stir, then serve.½ cup Cranberry Cocktail Juice
Notes
- Start with two drops of vanilla extract and add more if needed. The vanilla can be really strong if you add too much.
- Stick your cups in the freezer for a few hours before making the drink for an extra cold drink!
- Consider sugared cranberries, a sprig of rosemary, or a twist of citrus peel for aroma and visual impact.
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