Cherry Orange Fizz
A bright, refreshing sparkling mocktail that balances tart cherry juice with sweet orange juice and club soda. Served over ice with optional fresh citrus garnishes, this simple three-ingredient drink is perfect for warm afternoons, parties, or any time you want a festive non-alcoholic beverage without the fuss.
Steps
Before you start
- Chill a 10–12 oz glass in the freezer for at least 15 minutes, or fill it with ice and let sit while you gather ingredients
- Use fresh-squeezed orange juice if possible for the best flavor; bottled works but may taste less vibrant
- Have cherry juice and club soda chilled before mixing
Fill glass with ice
- Remove the chilled glass from the freezer.
- Fill it three-quarters full with ice cubes, leaving room at the top for liquid.
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Ready when: Glass is about three-quarters full of ice
Tip: A chilled glass keeps the drink colder longer and prevents the ice from melting too quickly
Pour cherry and orange juice
- Pour the 4 oz (120 ml) of chilled cherry juice into the glass, followed by the 3 oz (90 ml) of fresh orange juice.
- Stir gently with a bar spoon to combine.
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Ready when: Juices are fully mixed and the color is uniform throughout
Tip: Stir gently to avoid sloshing, and keep your stirring speed moderate so ice doesn't crack excessively
Top with club soda
- Slowly pour the 3 oz (90 ml) of chilled club soda over the juices, stirring gently as you pour.
- This will create carbonation without too much foam.
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Ready when: Drink is fizzy with visible bubbles throughout
Tip: Pour the soda slowly and stir gently to prevent excessive fizz from spilling over the rim
Garnish and serve
- Place an orange wheel or thin slice on the rim or float it in the drink.
- Add a fresh cherry if desired.
- Serve immediately with a straw.
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Ready when: Drink is garnished and ready to serve
Tip: Serve immediately after mixing to enjoy maximum carbonation and flavor
Good to know
Tips
- For a sweeter drink, add ½–1 oz (15–30 ml) of simple syrup or honey syrup stirred in before the club soda
- Make it a batch mocktail: combine 1 cup (240 ml) cherry juice, ¾ cup (180 ml) orange juice, and 1 cup (240 ml) club soda in a pitcher; chill and serve over ice in 1 oz portions topped with additional soda
- Fresh-squeezed orange juice makes a noticeable difference in brightness; bottled juice works but may taste slightly flat or overly sweet by comparison
- For a more sophisticated version, muddle a few fresh mint leaves or a thin slice of fresh ginger in the bottom of the glass before adding ice and juices
Storage & reheating
This drink is best enjoyed fresh and immediately after mixing. If you need to make it ahead, chill your juices and soda separately for up to 3 days in the refrigerator, but do not mix until ready to serve, as the carbonation will dissipate quickly once combined.
Substitutions
- unsweetened or lightly sweetened tart cherry juice, chilled → pomegranate juice. Substitute 1:1 for a deeper, slightly tart flavor. Pomegranate gives a beautiful jewel tone to the drink.
- fresh orange juice, chilled → grapefruit juice or tangerine juice. Use the same 3 oz (90 ml) amount. Grapefruit adds bitterness; tangerine adds sweetness and complexity.
- club soda or plain sparkling water, chilled → ginger ale or lemon-lime soda. Use the same 3 oz (90 ml) amount for a flavored fizz. Ginger ale adds spice; lemon-lime soda adds sweetness.
- ice cubes → crushed ice or ice cubes made from juice. Crushed ice chills faster but melts quicker. Juice ice cubes (made by freezing cherry or orange juice) prevent dilution as they melt.
