A Cranberry Christmas with Andrew Walker

If you know me, you know I’m a die-hard Hallmark fan. There’s nothing I love more than curling up on the couch with a cozy blanket, a mug of hot cocoa, and a Hallmark holiday movie marathon. The twinkling lights, small-town charm, cheesy but lovable storylines — next to the kitchen, it’s my happy place. So, when I heard Hallmark’s Andrew Walker was coming to town for a meet-and-greet to show Canadians how to make festive cranberry mocktails, I was beyond excited.

Meeting Andrew was better than I imagined. I even got to run a line with him in a little Hallmark-style skit. And let’s be real: I am definitely not meant to be an actor. But Andrew? He is such a pro. His timing, his charm, his swoon factor — completely on point. I laughed the entire time.

The highlight, of course, was learning about his cranberry mocktails. Drawing on his experience as a juice bar owner, Andrew shared how to make simple, sparkling drinks using Ocean Spray sparkling cranberry juices in flavours like cranberry-mango, cranberry-peach, and cranberry-pomegranate. A little twist of citrus, a slice of apple, some sugared cranberries or a cinnamon stick, and suddenly your drink is festive and elevated — perfect for a solo night in or a cozy holiday gathering.

Meeting Andrew, chatting about Hallmark, and sipping on his cranberry creations felt like stepping into a holiday movie for real. It was fun, festive, and yes, a little magical. I may not have the acting chops for Hallmark, but after this experience, I can officially check “live out a Hallmark holiday dream” off my list!

And the best part? You can try these festive cranberry mocktails for yourself and bring a little sparkle to your holiday season.

Cranberry Gingerbread Fizz

Ingredients

4 oz of Ocean Spray Sparkling Cranberry Juice
1 oz gingerbread syrup
½ oz fresh squeezed lime juice
Garnish: Sugared cranberries and mini gingerbread cookie, cinnamon sugar (glass rimmer)
Make it a cocktail: 1 ½ oz of vodka or tequila