Description
This Cran-Merry Drink is a delightful Starbucks copycat beverage combining the tartness of cranberry juice and blood orange syrup with the creamy sweetness of coconut milk, perfectly spiced with cinnamon and cloves. It’s a refreshing, fruity drink ideal for a quick, flavorful treat.
Ingredients
Refresher Base Ingredients
- 1 ⅓ cup cranberry juice cocktail (not cranberry cocktail)
- ⅓ cup water
- ½ cup blood orange syrup
- ½ tsp citric acid
- Pinch cinnamon
- Pinch ground cloves
Cran-Merry Drink Ingredients
- ½ cup Cran-Merry Orange Refresher Base
- ½ cup sweetened coconut milk
- Ice
- Freeze-dried cranberries or fresh cranberries for garnish
Instructions
- Make the refresher base: In a large mason jar, combine cranberry juice cocktail, water, blood orange syrup, citric acid, cinnamon, and ground cloves. Secure the lid and shake well until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed and the spices are evenly distributed.
- Prepare the Cran-Merry Drink: Pour ½ cup of the freshly made Cran-Merry Orange Refresher Base and ½ cup of sweetened coconut milk into a cocktail shaker or a large jar with a lid. Shake the mixture several times to blend the flavors and achieve a creamy consistency.
- Assemble the drink: Fill a tall glass with ice cubes. Pour the shaken Cran-Merry Drink over the ice, allowing it to chill perfectly.
- Garnish and serve: Add a handful of freeze-dried cranberries or fresh cranberries on top for a festive and flavorful garnish. Serve immediately and enjoy your refreshing Cran-Merry Drink.
Notes
- Use cranberry juice cocktail, not cranberry cocktail, to maintain the intended sweetness and flavor profile.
- Blood orange syrup can be substituted with regular orange syrup with added zest for a similar flavor.
- Citric acid balances the sweetness and adds a tangy brightness; omit if unavailable but expect less tartness.
- Freeze-dried cranberries provide a crunchy garnish, but fresh cranberries add a juicier texture.
- Sweetened coconut milk adds creaminess and a subtle tropical flavor; adjust sweetness to taste by using unsweetened if preferred.
- Shake ingredients well to ensure even distribution of spices and flavors.
- This drink is best served immediately for optimal freshness and texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
