Nothing quite says celebration like a drink that sparkles with color and flavor. This Festive Pomegranate Sangria Mocktail Recipe captures that holiday spirit in a glass — bright, bubbly, and bursting with fresh fruit goodness. It’s easy to make, looks beautiful, and everyone will love it!

Two clear glass cups sit on a white marbled surface, each filled with a deep red liquid. Inside each cup, visible layers include bright orange slices, thin light green apple slices, and scattered dark red pomegranate seeds floating throughout. A sprig of green rosemary stands upright in the closest cup, adding texture and height. Around the glasses, red pomegranate seeds are scattered on the marbled surface, and a small bunch of fresh rosemary lies nearby. The background is softly blurred with a clean white tone. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Pomegranate Sangria Mocktail Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Pomegranate Sangria Mocktail Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Pomegranate Sangria Mocktail Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This festive pomegranate sangria mocktail is one of those recipes that brings instant joy to any gathering. I love how effortlessly it combines tart and sweet flavors with a fizzy finish that’s just so refreshing. Plus, it’s a drink that everyone can enjoy—no alcohol needed.

Vibrant Flavor Harmony: The combo of pomegranate juice, apple juice, fresh fruit, and ginger ale creates a complex and festive flavor profile that feels special but isn’t complicated to make.
Kid-Friendly & Crowd-Pleasing: It’s non-alcoholic yet festive, so it works perfectly for family events or holiday parties where you want everyone to have a delicious drink in hand.
Beautiful Presentation: With jewel-like pomegranate arils and colorful citrus slices, it’s stunning in a glass pitcher or individual cups — instant holiday décor.
Quick & Easy Prep: You only need about 10 minutes to whip this up, making it your go-to festive drink when time is tight but you want a homemade touch.

The image shows a round white marble board with a clear glass carafe filled halfway with dark red liquid, placed at the back right side. In front of the carafe, there are two clear short glasses filled with the same dark red liquid. Each glass has a layer of pomegranate seeds at the bottom, with floating thin orange slices and a sprig of rosemary. Around the glasses, some loose pomegranate seeds are scattered, along with an orange wedge on the marble board. The background and surface are a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Festive Pomegranate Sangria Mocktail Recipe plays a role, combining to create balance and festivity. Choosing quality juices and fresh, colorful fruit makes all the difference, so spend a little extra time selecting the best.

Flat lay of fresh whole small orange sliced into thin pieces, fresh lemon cut into wedges, a Granny Smith apple cut into small pieces with bright green skin, a small white ceramic bowl of ruby red pomegranate arils, a small white ceramic bowl filled with deep red pomegranate juice, a small white ceramic bowl of golden apple juice, and a small white ceramic bowl of clear bubbly ginger ale, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

pomegranate juice: Look for no-sugar-added to keep it fresh and tart, really the star of the show with its vibrant color and unique flavor.
apple juice: A sweeter counterpart that smooths the tartness of pomegranate, Granny Smith apples are also used fresh for crunch and tang.
orange: Thinly sliced, it adds a citrus fragrance and brightens the flavor profile.
lemon: Its slices bring zesty brightness and a hint of acidity to balance sweetness.
Granny Smith apple: Crisp and slightly tart, it adds fresh texture and complements the juices.
pomegranate arils (or fresh cranberries): These little bursts of jewel-like color make the drink irresistibly festive and fun to sip.
ginger ale (or ginger beer, sprite, sparkling water): The effervescent finish adds a playful fizz that elevates this mocktail, with optional spice from ginger beer.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This mocktail lends itself beautifully to tweaks, and I’ve had so much fun experimenting with it depending on who’s coming over. I encourage you to make it your own — it’s surprisingly adaptable.

Variation: My favorite personal twist is swapping ginger ale for ginger beer when I want a little extra warmth and spice — it adds a lovely kick without overpowering the fruit flavors.
Dietary swaps: You can easily use sparkling water or club soda if you prefer less sweetness in the fizz.
Seasonal fruit swap: In the dead of winter, pomegranate arils feel perfect, but in late fall, I’ve subbed in fresh cranberries or even mixed berries to great effect.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Pomegranate Sangria Mocktail Recipe

Step 1: Combine Juices and Fresh Fruit

Start by pouring the pomegranate juice and apple juice into a large pitcher. Next, add in the thinly sliced orange and lemon pieces along with the chopped Granny Smith apple and pomegranate arils. Giving everything a good stir helps the flavors start to mingle right away.

Step 2: Chill to Marry the Flavors

Pop the pitcher in the fridge for at least 45 minutes up to 4 hours. This step is key! I’ve learned that letting the fruit steep really brings out the depth, so don’t rush it. The longer the wait, the more those flavors cozy up together.

Step 3: Add the Fizz & Serve

When you’re ready to serve, just top off your chilled sangria mixture with cold ginger ale. Stir gently so you don’t lose all the bubbles. Pour over ice cubes if you like, and add festive garnishes—fresh fruit slices, a sprig of rosemary, or a cinnamon stick all work beautifully.

Top Tip

I’ve made this festive pomegranate sangria mocktail dozens of times now, and here are a few tips from my experience to get it just right without fuss:

Use Fresh Fruit: It really makes a difference! The fresh slices soak up the juice's flavors and make the drink look amazing, so don’t skip them.
Don’t Add Ginger Ale Too Early: Always add it just before serving to keep the fizz alive and the mocktail refreshing.
Chill Well: This isn’t just about cold drinks — chilling lets all the fruit flavors bloom together.
Adjust Sweetness: If your juices are extra sweet, hold back on sugary fizz options and try sparkling water with a splash of sprite instead.

How to Serve Festive Pomegranate Sangria Mocktail Recipe

Pomegranate Sangria Mocktail - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love adding a few pomegranate arils right on the top of the glass—they’re like tiny jewels that make each sip feel festive. A sprig of fresh rosemary adds an almost piney fragrance that’s so seasonal. For an extra little touch, a cinnamon stick stirrer works beautifully and gives a subtle warm aroma.

Side Dishes

This mocktail pairs wonderfully with light, fresh appetizers—think a cheese board with nuts and dried fruit, or roasted nuts with rosemary and sea salt. I also like serving it alongside holiday finger foods, like spiced meatballs or stuffed mushrooms, to keep things festive but simple.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I sometimes serve this mocktail in clear mason jars decorated with twine and mini pinecone charms to enhance the holiday vibe. Frozen fruit cubes with pomegranate arils inside also make a colorful, eye-catching addition that keeps drinks cool without dilution. It’s amazing how little touches like these make a huge impression!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep leftover mocktail in a sealed pitcher or airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The fruit will keep infusing flavors, so the taste can actually develop more depth overnight. Just add the ginger ale fresh when you serve again.

Freezing

I’ve found freezing the mocktail itself isn’t ideal because the juice and fruit can separate and lose texture. However, you can freeze pomegranate arils and citrus slices separately to prep ahead and add fresh when you thaw and serve.

Reheating

This is best served cold and fizzy, so reheating isn’t recommended. If you want warm festive drinks, I’d suggest a different recipe like mulled cider, but for this mocktail, fresh is best!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the Festive Pomegranate Sangria Mocktail Recipe in advance?

Yes! It’s best to mix the juices and fruit a few hours before serving and chill it covered in the fridge. Add the ginger ale just before serving to keep the fizz fresh.

What can I substitute for pomegranate juice?

If you don’t have pomegranate juice, no-sugar-added cranberry juice is a great alternative as it has a similar tartness and color, keeping the festive vibe intact.

Can I make this recipe without any carbonated beverage?

Yes! For a still version, just omit the ginger ale and serve the mixed juice and fruit chilled. The flavors will still be delicious, though you’ll miss the bubbly finish.

How many servings does this mocktail recipe make?

This recipe yields about 8 servings, perfect for a small holiday gathering or party. The pitcher format makes it easy to scale up if you’re hosting more guests.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Pomegranate Sangria Mocktail Recipe holds a special place in my holiday traditions because it brings everyone together without the fuss of alcohol. Its vibrant color, balanced flavors, and easy prep always impress guests, and I’m confident you’ll find it just as delightful. Give it a try the next time you want a show-stopping, festive drink everyone can savor!