Navratri is a time of devotion, celebration, and mindful indulgence. For nine vibrant days, families come together to observe rituals, enjoy music and dance, and share delicious meals. Along with traditional foods, beverages play a key role in keeping everyone energized and refreshed. While classics like chaas, lemon water, and coconut water are always loved, cranberry-based drinks are emerging as a festive favourite, healthy, tangy, and bursting with color.
If you’re looking to add a modern twist to your Navratri menu, here are three refreshing cranberry recipes that beautifully combine tradition with creativity.
Sparkling Cranberry Panak by Chef Khushi
A fizzy twist on the traditional panakam, this drink blends the goodness of cranberries with warming spices for a truly festive flavor.
Ingredients
2 cups US cranberries
2 tbsp fresh ginger, chopped
2 tsp whole peppercorns
½ tsp whole cardamom seeds
1 cup + 2 cups water
2 cups sugar
Sparkling water (to top)
Method
In a blender, grind cranberries, peppercorns, ginger, and cardamom with 1 cup of water to form a smooth paste.
In a saucepan, boil sugar with 2 cups of water until the syrup turns clear and slightly reduced. Stir in the cranberry paste and bring to a boil.
Let it cool for 20 minutes, then strain into a jar. Freeze leftover pulp in ice cube trays.
To serve, pour about ¼ cup of the cranberry syrup into a glass, top with sparkling water, and add a couple of cranberry pulp cubes if desired. Garnish with extra cranberries.
Cranberry Coconut Chill by Tarneet Kaur
A light and tropical cooler that’s perfect for long days of fasting or lively evening gatherings.
Ingredients
2 cups fresh cranberries
1 cup coconut water
30 ml fresh lemon juice
Ice – to serve
Lemon wheel & mint sprig – for garnish
Method
Blend the cranberries with a little water until smooth, then strain to extract fresh cranberry liquid.
Add the cranberry extract, coconut water, and lemon juice to a shaker with ice.
Shake well until nicely chilled.
Strain into a glass filled with ice.
Garnish with a lemon wheel and a sprig of mint.
Serve immediately and enjoy this naturally hydrating, sweet-tangy cooler.
Vanilla Cranberry Ginger Milkshake by Chef Sues
For those who love indulgence, this creamy milkshake doubles as dessert. The cranberry-ginger mix adds a festive zing to a classic vanilla shake.
Ingredients
½ cup sugar
½ cup water
2 cups fresh cranberries
1 tbsp finely chopped ginger
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 scoops vanilla ice cream
1 cup milk
Method
In a saucepan, boil sugar and water, then add cranberries. Cook for 10–15 minutes until the berries burst.
Stir in ginger and vanilla, cook for another 2 minutes, then mash or purée. Let it cool completely.
In a blender, mix ice cream and milk until smooth.
Add 2 tbsp of the cooled cranberry mixture to a tall glass, then pour the milkshake over.
