If you love festive, refreshing drinks that burst with holiday cheer, then you’ll absolutely adore this Sparkling Cranberry Orange Christmas Slush Recipe! It’s the perfect balance of tangy cranberry, zesty orange, and sparkling 7Up fizz, blended into a fun and frosty slush that’s sure to be the star of any Christmas gathering. Let me share with you everything you need to know to make this charming holiday beverage your new favorite!
Why You Should Make This Recipe
Delightfully Festive Flavor: The bright combination of cranberry and orange creates a refreshing, seasonally-appropriate taste that gets everyone in the holiday spirit.
Easy to Prepare in Advance: Make the slush ahead and freeze it, so your holiday prep is smoother and stress-free.
Kid and Adult Friendly: It’s a bubbly, sweet treat that everyone can enjoy—no complicated ingredients or alcohol required!
Visually Stunning Presentation: With sugared rims, fresh cranberries, and orange slices, this slush looks as amazing as it tastes on your holiday table.
Ingredients & Substitutions
This Sparkling Cranberry Orange Christmas Slush Recipe shines because of its simple, straightforward ingredients that each bring something special to the party. The cranberry juice gives it that beautiful red hue and tartness, while the lemonade and orange juice add sweetness and citrus zing. The sugar and sparkling 7Up complete the picture by adding just the right amount of sparkle and balance.
- Water & Sugar: The base for a homemade syrup that brings sweetness and smooth texture to the slush.
- 100% Cranberry Juice: Offers tartness and vibrant color; cranberry cocktail works too if pure juice isn’t available.
- Frozen Lemonade: Adds a cool, tangy creaminess that keeps the slush icy and flavorful.
- Orange Juice: Brightens the drink with fresh citrus notes and balances the tartness beautifully.
- Cherry 7Up: The sparkling soda injects fizz and a hint of cherry sweetness that makes this drink truly sparkle.
- Fresh Cranberries & Orange Slices: Perfect garnishes that amp up the festive vibe and add a pop of color.
- Colored Sugar & Citrus Slices for Rimming Glasses (Optional): Adds an extra festive touch that’s fun and visually delightful.
How to Make Sparkling Cranberry Orange Christmas Slush Recipe
Step 1: Make the Sweet Cranberry Base
Start by combining water and sugar in a large pot over high heat. Stir the mixture for a few minutes until the sugar fully dissolves, creating a sweet syrup foundation. This step is essential to infuse the slush with a smooth, sweet backbone that ties all the flavors together perfectly.
Step 2: Mix in Juices and Frozen Lemonade
Once your syrup is ready and removed from heat, stir in the cranberry juice, frozen lemonade (keeping it frozen adds to the slushy texture), and fresh orange juice. Continue stirring until the lemonade begins to melt and blend evenly, giving your mixture that gorgeous, festive color and irresistible flavor combo.
Step 3: Freeze the Mixture
Pour the juice blend into wide, shallow pans or casserole dishes. Cover them tightly and pop them in the freezer for at least 3 hours or up to a week. This step is crucial as it transforms your mixture into a blissful, icy slush waiting to be broken up and served.
Step 4: Prep Your Glasses with Sugared Rims
Dip a lemon or orange slice around each glass rim, then press it into colored sugar to create a dazzling, festive edge. This little touch looks beautiful and adds a delightful crunch as you sip your sparkling Christmas slush!
Step 5: Assemble and Serve
Use a fork to scrape and break up chunks of the frozen slush into each prepared glass. Pour Cherry 7Up over the slush to add bubbles and extra sweetness. Finish off with fresh cranberry and an orange slice as a garnish, and just like that, you’re ready to enjoy a sensational holiday drink!
How to Serve Sparkling Cranberry Orange Christmas Slush Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh cranberries and bright orange slices are the perfect garnishes for this slush, adding pops of color and an extra hint of citrus aroma. Brightly colored sugar rims on the glasses will impress your guests and keep the presentation festive and fun.
Side Dishes
This sparkling Christmas slush pairs wonderfully with light appetizers that balance its sweetness—think prosciutto-wrapped melon, cheese boards, or spiced nuts. Its refreshing quality is a perfect palate cleanser alongside rich holiday bites.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dazzling display, serve the slush in clear glass mugs or festive holiday cups. Layer the slush in a punch bowl surrounded by crushed ice and let guests scoop their own servings for a communal vibe. Adding cinnamon sticks or star anise as floating touches can also elevate the holiday cheer visually and aromatically.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftover slush mixture, store it covered in the freezer to maintain its icy texture. Before serving again, break it up with a fork to re-fluff the slushiness. This drink holds up beautifully for several days.
Freezing
The slush freezes really well and can be made up to a week in advance. Just be sure to cover it tightly to avoid freezer burn or absorption of other flavors from the freezer. When ready to serve, give it a quick fork stir to get that perfect slushy consistency back.
Reheating
This slush is best enjoyed cold and icy — no reheating necessary! If the slush melts too much before serving, simply pop it back in the freezer for a short time and stir to re-crystallize.
FAQs
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Can I make this sparkly slush with cranberry cocktail instead of 100% juice?
Absolutely! Cranberry cocktail will work just fine in this recipe. It’s a bit sweeter and less tart, but the lemonade and orange juices balance the flavor perfectly.
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How far in advance can I prepare this slush?
You can prepare and freeze the slush mixture up to one week ahead of time. Just make sure to cover it well to maintain the best texture and flavor.
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Can I use other sodas instead of Cherry 7Up?
Yes! While Cherry 7Up adds a lovely cherry sparkle, you can substitute with lemon-lime soda or any sparkling citrus soda for a different but equally delicious twist.
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How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe yields about 24 servings if you use 8-ounce cups. You can adjust portions by serving bigger glasses with more 7Up or smaller ones, so it’s very flexible for your gathering size.
Final Thoughts
With its festive sparkle and zesty charm, this Sparkling Cranberry Orange Christmas Slush Recipe is a holiday treat that’s as fun to make as it is to sip. Whether you’re hosting a big party or craving a cozy festive drink, it’s sure to bring smiles and refresh your celebrations. Go ahead, give it a whirl and watch this joyful elixir become a treasured classic of your holiday season!
Print
Sparkling Cranberry Orange Christmas Slush Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Freezing
- Cuisine: American
Description
A festive and refreshing Sparkling Christmas Slush Drink combining tart cranberry juice, tangy lemonade, and bubbly Cherry 7Up, perfect for holiday gatherings and easy to prepare ahead of time.
Ingredients
Syrup Base
- 4 cups water
- 1 & 1/2 cups sugar
- 5 cups 100% cranberry juice (or cranberry juice cocktail)
- 2 (24-oz) cans frozen lemonade
- 3 cups orange juice
Rim Garnish
- 1/4 lemon or orange (for rimming glasses)
- Colored sugar (optional for rimming glasses)
To Serve
- 6 liters Cherry 7Up (Three 2-liter bottles)
- Fresh cranberries (for garnish)
- Orange slices (for garnish)
Instructions
- Make the syrup base: In a large pot, combine 4 cups water with 1 1/2 cups sugar. Heat over high heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Add juices and lemonade: Remove from heat and immediately add 5 cups cranberry juice, 2 cans frozen lemonade (add frozen without thawing), and 3 cups orange juice. Stir until the lemonade freezes slightly dissolve into the mixture.
- Freeze the mixture: Pour the combined juice mixture into two 9×13 inch casserole dishes or any wide, shallow dishes. Cover and freeze until solid, which takes at least 3 hours and can be stored for up to 1 week.
- Prepare glass rims: Pour colored sugar into a small bowl or plate. Rub the rim of each glass with the 1/4 lemon or orange slice to moisten, then dip the rims into colored sugar to coat. Set aside to dry; if possible, do this an hour before serving or even the night before for convenience.
- Serve the slush: Before serving, use a fork to break up the frozen slush into chunks and spoon into each glass.
- Add the soda: Pour Cherry 7Up over the slush in each glass to fill.
- Garnish and enjoy: Add fresh cranberries and orange slices to garnish each glass as desired and serve immediately.
Notes
- If 100% cranberry juice is unavailable, cranberry juice cocktail works fine.
- Using 8-ounce portions, this recipe yields about 24 servings. Filling glasses more generously with more 7Up yields about 16 servings.
- Serving is best assembled last minute for the perfect texture.
- Alternatively, the remaining slush and 7Up can be mixed in a punch bowl set over ice for self-serving, though the slush melts faster this way.
