My Easy 3-Ingredient Cocktail Is Perfect for a Crowd

Whenever I’m hosting a party (or tasked with bringing the drinks), I often think big and boozy. Batched negronis or a bourbon punch? So fun! But in recent years, I’ve adjusted my thinking on party sips and follow a couple of key rules: consider the audience and consider the length of the party. Have I accidentally gotten a few friends a little too tipsy? Yes, yes I have. And I’ve learned my lesson.

I now try to supply a variety of low-ABV options as well as non-alcoholic options. That way, everyone feels included and guests can easily pace themselves. This is especially important for holiday gatherings and New Year’s Eve, where friends and family can stick around for hours. As a host, I want to send everyone home feeling good, not like they’ve been run over by a train.

Luckily, I’ve got the perfect drink recipe for my holiday get-togethers this year. It’s low ABV but still feels festive and special, and it’s super easy to make alcohol-free so anyone can enjoy. It also happens to be incredibly easy. No need to make simple syrup, squeeze citrus, or muddle. Just combine three packaged ingredients and call it a day.

The Three Ingredients

If you’re making this for a booze-drinking crowd, the key ingredient is sparkling wine. I say sparkling wine and not champagne, because don’t you dare put champagne into this drink. It is too precious for a mixed drink—save it for midnight on NYE. Brut prosecco is ideal here. I tend to go with something around the $15 range, like LaMarca or Mionetto.

For both versions, you’ll need either unsweetened cranberry juice or unsweetened cherry juice. Cranberry is a little tarter, but both work great and feel season-appropriate. They also make the drink a lovely reddish-pink color. If all you can find is sweetened juice, I suggest adding fresh lime juice to taste to up the tart factor a bit.

Finally, you’ll need ginger beer. I like spicier versions, like Trader Joe’s seasonal Triple Ginger Brew, Q Mixers Ginger Beer, or Fever-Tree Ginger Beer.

How to Make It Non-Alcoholic

To make this cocktail a mocktail, simply replace the sparkling wine with more ginger beer and leave out the bitters. It’s still super delicious and a lovely color, too.

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