Holiday Cocktails with Sierra Mist

This post was sponsored by Sierra Mist. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that so generously help keep The Sweetest Occasion rockin’!

I am so excited to once again be teaming up with the folks at Sierra Mist to bring you some super tasty and festive holiday cocktails in time for all of your celebrations over the next couple of weeks! Using Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash, I whipped up two awesome cocktails that are sure to be crowd pleasers. In all honesty, I am not a bit soda drinker, but I am obsessed with Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash. Naturally sweetened with real sugar, it’s all the goodness of lemon-lime soda with a festive, cranberry splash that I absolutely love. So in a nutshell, you’re going to love these cocktails!

If you’re into sangria, you’re going to love every sip of this Sparkling Cranberry Sangria! Made with fruit, ginger, crisp Pinot Grigio and Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash, it’s basically the perfect festive drink. Make up a big pitcher a few hours before guests are set to arrive and serve it chilled over ice in big wine glasses. So easy to do and sure to be a hit with your loved ones!

Sparkling Cranberry Sangria

• 1 cup of fruit (such as apples and pears, cut into chunks)
• 1 tablespoon thinly sliced peeled fresh ginger
• 4 oz orange liqueur
• Juice from 1 lemon
• Juice from 1 lime
• 16 oz Pinot Grigio
• 8 oz Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash

Place the fruit in a pitcher and set aside. In a blender, add the ginger, orange liqueur and the juice from the lemon and lime. Puree for 10 seconds. Add Pinot Grigio to the blender. Strain the liquid through a sieve into the pitcher, then top with Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash. Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving over ice.

In my neck of the woods, a classic Bloody Mary is the old standby for New Year’s morning. But if you’re like me and you’re still working on acquiring a taste for this tried and true favorite, I present you with a pretty awesome alternative – the Sunny Side Up! It’s bright and festive with lots of fruity, citrusy flavors that make it a perfect way to toast the New Year.

Sunny Side Up

• 1-1/2 oz vodka
• Orange zest
• 4 oz orange juice
• 2 oz pomegranate juice
• Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash

Add vodka and juice to a shaker and shake well to combine. Pour over ice in a tall glass. Top with Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash and garnish with a curl of orange zest.