Fake Cod Holiday Mocktail

A holiday drink the whole family can enjoy. Freshly made cranberry syrup, ice cubes with fresh fruit, and a squeeze of lime are topped with tonic water. Serve with a string of popcorn and dried cranberries for a festive aperitivo at your holiday get-together. Make the ice cubes and syrup the night before.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Calories: 155 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ cup white sugar
• ½ cup water
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup chopped cranberries
• 1 lime, cut into 8 wedges
• 8 teaspoons pomegranate seeds
• 8 teaspoons fresh red currants
• 3 cups popped unsalted popcorn
• 6 cups tonic water (such as Fentimans), chilled

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Place 1 teaspoon pomegranate seeds in 8 of the wells in a 16-cube ice tray; drop red currants in remaining 8 wells. Fill wells with water. Freeze into ice cubes, 8 hours to overnight.

Step 2

Combine chopped cranberries, water, and sugar in a saucepan over low heat. Simmer, stirring frequently, until cranberries have completely softened, about 15 minutes.

Step 3

Strain cranberries through a fine mesh sieve, gently pressing the pulp to extract the liquid. Let syrup cool before covering, then refrigerate 8 hours to overnight.

Step 4

Use a clean needle to thread popcorn and dried cranberries onto one long food-grade thread. Cut into 8 equal strings.

Step 5

Add 1 pomegranate ice cube and 1 red currant ice cube to each serving glass. Pour 2 tablespoons syrup into each and top with 3/4 cup tonic water. Garnish with a lime wedge and a string of popcorn and cranberries.