Easy & Festive Cranberry Mimosa Recipe (Poinsettia Cocktail) for Your Holiday Celebrations
A Cranberry Mimosa, often affectionately known as a Poinsettia Cocktail, is a delightful and visually stunning twist on the classic mimosa. This vibrant drink instantly brings a festive cheer to any occasion. Crafted with just three simple ingredients, it comes together in under 5 minutes, making it the perfect stress-free choice for holiday entertaining. Imagine serving these sparkling crimson beauties at your Thanksgiving feast, Christmas morning brunch, or New Year’s Day celebration. They are an effortless way to add a touch of elegance and seasonal spirit to any gathering.
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About This Festive Cranberry Mimosa
There’s an undeniable magic to a well-made holiday mimosa, and this cranberry version truly captures it. Cranberries, with their vibrant color and distinct tartness, are synonymous with the holiday season for many, instantly evoking warmth and celebration. From the early days of Thanksgiving through the festive build-up to Christmas and right into the New Year, this Cranberry Mimosa is my go-to choice for adding a sparkling touch to any celebratory moment.
Starting your day with one of these beautiful Poinsettia Cocktails is sure to set a joyful tone. The rich, deep red color immediately catches the eye, promising a luxurious experience. When garnished with fresh cranberries and a sprig of aromatic rosemary, the visual appeal is simply irresistible. As you raise the glass, the subtle, fresh scent of rosemary intertwines with the fruity notes, drawing you further into the holiday spirit even before your first sip. It’s a multi-sensory experience that delights both visually and olfactorily.
Beyond its stunning appearance and enticing aroma, what truly makes this Cranberry Mimosa stand out is its incredible simplicity and speed of preparation. Requiring just a few minutes to whip up, it’s ideal for those busy holiday mornings, brunches, or spontaneous gatherings. The perfect balance of bright tartness from the cranberry, a subtle hint of sweetness, and the effervescent bubbles of champagne creates a memorable cocktail that’s both refreshing and celebratory. It’s truly a testament to how three simple ingredients can come together to create something so wonderfully festive and enjoyable!
Essential Ingredients for Cranberry Mimosas
Crafting the perfect Cranberry Mimosa relies on selecting the right three ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving that ideal balance of tart, sweet, and bubbly.
- Cranberry Juice: This is where the vibrant color and signature tartness come from. It’s absolutely crucial to choose 100% cranberry juice, not “cranberry juice cocktail.” The difference is significant: pure cranberry juice is naturally tart and unsweetened (or very minimally sweetened), providing a crisp counterpoint to the other ingredients. Cranberry juice cocktail, on the other hand, is heavily sweetened and typically diluted with other fruit juices and sugar. Using it will result in an overly sweet mimosa that lacks the sophisticated balance we’re aiming for. Look for labels that explicitly state “100% cranberry juice” for the best flavor profile.
- Orange Liqueur: The addition of orange liqueur elevates this simple champagne cocktail with a lovely hint of citrus and a touch of refined sweetness. Since this Poinsettia Cocktail has only three core ingredients, the quality of each component truly shines. I highly recommend using a premium orange liqueur such as Grand Marnier or Cointreau. These brands offer a complex, rich orange flavor that complements the cranberry beautifully. While triple sec can be used as a more budget-friendly alternative, it often has a harsher, less nuanced orange taste, and in my experience, the overall depth of flavor in the finished cocktail is noticeably better with Grand Marnier or Cointreau.
- Champagne (or Sparkling Wine): As one of the two main liquids in the drink, your choice of champagne or sparkling wine is paramount. The general rule is to pick a champagne you genuinely enjoy drinking on its own. It’s a star ingredient, and its quality will directly impact the mimosa’s taste. For a perfectly balanced Cranberry Mimosa that isn’t too sweet, I personally prefer a Brut champagne. Brut is dry, meaning it has very little residual sugar, allowing the tartness of the cranberry and the orange notes of the liqueur to shine without being overwhelmed by sweetness. However, if you prefer a sweeter cocktail, you can certainly opt for an Extra Dry champagne or a Prosecco (which we’ll discuss more below!).
This Recipe’s Must-Have Equipment
While this recipe is incredibly simple, having the right tools can make the process even smoother and the presentation impeccable:
- Measuring Beaker Set or Jigger: To ensure consistent proportions for each cocktail, a reliable measuring tool is essential. I find a double jigger or a small nesting measuring beaker set to be incredibly useful for accurately pouring the cranberry juice and orange liqueur. Precision here helps maintain the perfect balance of flavors.
- Champagne Flutes: These tall, slender glasses aren’t just for aesthetics; they are designed to minimize the surface area of the drink, thereby helping to retain the effervescence of the champagne for longer. While any champagne flutes will work beautifully, I personally love the modern and stable look of stemless champagne flutes. They reduce the risk of accidental tipping, which is a big plus during lively holiday gatherings!
How to Make a Sparkling Cranberry Mimosa
Creating these festive Cranberry Mimosas is incredibly straightforward. With just a couple of steps, you’ll have a stunning cocktail ready to serve!
Properly Chill Your Ingredients
The key to a truly refreshing mimosa lies in its temperature. Before you even think about assembling these gorgeous cocktails, make sure both your champagne (or sparkling wine) and cranberry juice are thoroughly chilled. Pop them in the refrigerator for at least a few hours, or even overnight, to ensure they are ice-cold. This not only enhances the refreshing quality of the drink but also helps to preserve the champagne’s bubbles for longer. No one wants a lukewarm mimosa!
Effortlessly Assemble Your Cocktails
Once your ingredients are perfectly chilled, assembly is a breeze:
- Grab your preferred champagne flute. Carefully fill the glass approximately 1/3 of the way full with the chilled 100% cranberry juice.
- Next, gently add 1 tablespoon of Grand Marnier (or your chosen orange liqueur) into the flute. This subtle addition will infuse a wonderful citrus aroma and a touch of extra sweetness.
- Finally, slowly top off the remainder of the glass with your chilled champagne. Pouring slowly down the side of the glass helps to minimize fizz overflow and keeps those precious bubbles intact.
- For that ultimate festive touch, garnish each Poinsettia Cocktail with a fresh sprig of rosemary and a few fresh cranberries. The green of the rosemary against the red of the drink is simply stunning and adds a beautiful aromatic element.
Serve immediately and watch your guests’ faces light up!
Top Tips for Cranberry Mimosa Success
While the Cranberry Mimosa is incredibly easy to make, a few simple tips can elevate your cocktail from good to absolutely outstanding:
- Always Chill Your Ingredients: This is arguably the most crucial tip. Ensure both your 100% cranberry juice and champagne (or sparkling wine) are thoroughly chilled in the refrigerator well in advance. Lukewarm mimosas lose their refreshing sparkle and simply don’t taste as good. Cold ingredients also help to maintain the effervescence of the sparkling wine, keeping your drinks bubbly and delightful.
- Serve in Proper Champagne Flutes: There’s a reason champagne flutes are shaped the way they are! Their tall, slender design isn’t just elegant; it’s specifically engineered to retain the carbonation of sparkling wines for as long as possible. The narrow opening minimizes the surface area exposed to air, which in turn slows down the rate at which bubbles escape. If you don’t have traditional glass flutes and don’t wish to invest, consider picking up disposable plastic flutes for larger gatherings – they still do a much better job than wide-rimmed glasses.
- Don’t Skip the Garnish: A beautiful garnish doesn’t just make your Poinsettia Cocktail look more appealing; it adds to the entire sensory experience. The visual pop of color from fresh cranberries and the aromatic freshness of a rosemary sprig instantly signal that this is a special, festive drink. The rosemary, in particular, adds a lovely, subtle herbal scent that beautifully complements the fruit and citrus notes. You can also try sugared cranberries for an extra touch of sweetness and sparkle.
- Adjust Ratios to Taste: The provided recipe offers a fantastic starting point, but feel free to adjust the ratio of cranberry juice to champagne to suit your personal preference. For a tarter, more cranberry-forward drink, add a little more juice. For a lighter, more champagne-dominant mimosa, slightly reduce the juice. The 1 tablespoon of orange liqueur is a good balance, but you can experiment with slightly more or less depending on your desired sweetness and citrus intensity.
- Chill Your Glasses: For an extra touch of professionalism and to keep your mimosas colder for longer, chill your champagne flutes in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before serving.
Looking for more delightful holiday cocktails? Explore these festive options: Christmas Sangria | Sparkling Thanksgiving Cocktail | Cranberry Orange Moscow Mule | Cranberry Spice Sparkler
Can I Substitute Prosecco for Champagne in a Cranberry Mimosa?
Absolutely, you can! While champagne is the traditional choice for mimosas, Prosecco is an excellent and often more budget-friendly alternative that works wonderfully in a Cranberry Mimosa (Poinsettia Cocktail). The main difference lies in their sweetness and flavor profiles. Champagne, particularly a Brut style, tends to be drier with notes of toast and apple. Prosecco, an Italian sparkling wine, is typically fruitier and can be slightly sweeter, often featuring notes of green apple, pear, and citrus.
If you, like me, prefer your cocktails on the less sweet side, a Brut champagne remains my top recommendation as it allows the tart cranberry and orange liqueur flavors to shine through beautifully. However, if you have a sweeter palate or prefer a drink with more prominent fruity undertones, then choosing a Prosecco will be a fantastic decision. It will still provide that essential bubbly effervescence and festive feel, just with a slightly different sweet-tart balance. Both options create a delicious holiday drink!
How to Make Cranberry Mimosas for a Crowd?
The beauty of this Cranberry Mimosa recipe is that it’s inherently scalable, making it perfect for entertaining a large group! The recipe provided below serves 8, but it can easily be doubled or even tripled depending on the size of your gathering. You have two main approaches when preparing for a crowd:
- Individual Assembly: This method involves setting up a mimosa bar or simply assembling each drink as outlined in the recipe, one by one. This allows guests to potentially customize their own ratios if you offer the ingredients separately. However, it can be more time-consuming if you’re the one making them.
- Large Batch Pitcher: This is my preferred method for efficiency. After ensuring all your ingredients (cranberry juice, orange liqueur, and champagne) are thoroughly chilled, combine them in a large pitcher or drink dispenser. Gently stir to mix, but avoid vigorous stirring that would dissipate the bubbles. For best results and maximum sparkle, add the champagne last, just before serving. Even with a pitcher, remember to garnish each individual glass with fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs for that impressive, festive touch. Always keep the pitcher chilled in an ice bucket or refrigerator until ready to pour.
Whether you choose individual assembly or a large batch, the key is to keep everything cold and assemble as close to serving time as possible for optimal fizz and flavor.
Can Cranberry Mimosas Be Made Ahead of Time?
I strongly advise against making Cranberry Mimosas too far ahead of time. The primary appeal of this delightful Poinsettia Cocktail is its refreshing fizziness, which comes from the sparkling champagne. Once the champagne is opened and mixed, its bubbles will begin to dissipate fairly quickly. Preparing them even an hour or two in advance will result in a significantly flatter drink, diminishing the overall experience.
For the freshest and most effervescent mimosas, they should be assembled and served immediately. The good news is that the preparation time is so minimal – less than 5 minutes for a batch! – that it’s easy to whip them up just before your guests arrive or right when you’re ready to enjoy them. If you want to do some prep work, make sure your cranberry juice and champagne are thoroughly chilled, and have your garnishes ready to go. This way, you can quickly pour and enjoy the perfect sparkling holiday cocktail.
What Are the Best Garnishes for a Poinsettia Cocktail?
Garnishing your Cranberry Mimosa (Poinsettia Cocktail) is the final touch that transforms a simple drink into a stunning festive presentation. The best garnishes are often the simplest, adding both visual appeal and a subtle aromatic lift.
My absolute favorite combination is a fresh sprig of rosemary and a few fresh cranberries. Here’s why:
- Fresh Cranberries: Their vibrant red color perfectly matches the holiday theme and floats beautifully in the glass. They add a little extra tartness as you drink, and they’re readily available during the holiday season. If fresh aren’t available, or you want to keep the drink extra cold, frozen cranberries work wonderfully and act as edible ice cubes!
- Rosemary Sprigs: The deep green of the rosemary provides a striking contrast to the crimson drink. More importantly, as you sip, the rosemary releases a subtle, piney, fresh aroma that complements the tart cranberry and citrus notes perfectly, enhancing the festive sensory experience.
Other fantastic garnish ideas include:
- Orange Slices or Twists: A thin slice of orange or a beautifully twisted orange peel can emphasize the orange liqueur’s presence and add another layer of citrus aroma.
- Sugared Cranberries: For an extra touch of glamour and sweetness, you can roll fresh cranberries in simple syrup and then in granulated sugar. They look like frosted jewels!
- Edible Gold Glitter: A tiny sprinkle of edible gold glitter can make your Poinsettia Cocktails truly sparkle and feel extra luxurious for New Year’s Eve or a special Christmas party.
Remember, cocktail garnishes don’t need to be complicated or expensive. The goal is to add a touch of flair and enhance the enjoyment of the drink, and a simple sprig of rosemary and a few cranberries do this job perfectly.
Need some more inspiration for cocktail hour? Check out my cocktails recipe page!
What to Serve with Cranberry Mimosas
Cranberry Mimosas are the quintessential holiday brunch or breakfast cocktail, pairing beautifully with a wide array of seasonal dishes. Their bright, tart, and bubbly profile complements both sweet and savory flavors, making them incredibly versatile. Here are some of my favorite holiday recipes to serve alongside this festive Poinsettia Cocktail:
Sweet & Brunch Favorites:
- Christmas Cranberry Cobbler: A delightful pairing, this cobbler features a fluffy, bouncy, cake-like texture, bursting with sweet-tart cranberries and often topped with delicate sugared cranberries. The warm, comforting flavors of the cobbler are a perfect contrast to the cold, sparkling mimosa.
- Fancy Parisian Crepes: Elevate your brunch with elegant crepes. They’re surprisingly easier to make than you might think and their delicate texture and versatility (fill them with fruit, Nutella, or savory options) make them an ideal sophisticated partner for this bubbly cocktail.
- A big fluffy slice of Cranberry Coffee Cake: With its soft crumb and a tangy orange glaze, this coffee cake offers a harmonious blend of flavors that echoes the mimosa’s citrus notes and tart fruit. It’s a match made in brunch heaven!
- Keep things simple with Sourdough French Toast: Ready in just 20 minutes, this French toast is hearty yet light, offering a delicious canvas for maple syrup, fresh berries, or even a dollop of cranberry jam, creating a comforting complement to the mimosa.
- I love Panettone Bread Pudding: Served warm with a creamy crème anglaise, this rich, festive bread pudding made with traditional Italian panettone is a luxurious treat that beautifully balances the mimosa’s effervescence.
- Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls: Gooey, perfectly spiced, and wonderfully comforting, these cinnamon rolls are quintessential for Christmas morning. Their warm, inviting flavors are a delightful contrast to the bright, cool mimosa.
- A slice of classic Apple Danish: Sometimes, simple is best. A flaky, buttery apple danish offers a familiar and comforting sweetness that never gets old and pairs effortlessly with a festive drink.
- Want a cinnamon roll in the morning? These Chai Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls: are the best for the season, bringing warm, aromatic spices and a gooey texture that is simply irresistible alongside a sparkling mimosa.
- Classic Gluten-Free Waffles: Fluffy, tender, and crispy, these waffles are perfect for pairing with a variety of toppings, especially a vibrant cranberry jam, creating a balanced and satisfying breakfast.
- One of my favorite holiday season traditions is Rhodes Roll Monkey Bread: Gooey, sticky, and oh-so-yum, this pull-apart bread is a fun, interactive, and incredibly delicious treat that embodies holiday indulgence.
Savory Bites for Parties:
If you’re planning to serve these Poinsettia Cocktails for a holiday party that extends beyond brunch, here are some savory bites ideal for a crowd:
- BBQ Bacon Wrapped Shrimp: These appetizers are deceptively easy to make and ready in just 30 minutes! The smoky, savory bacon and succulent shrimp offer a fantastic counterpoint to the mimosa’s fruity brightness.
- If you love anything cheesy and full of carbs, you’re going to want to make this Tear-Apart Sourdough Holiday Cheese Dip: This warm, gooey, and flavorful dip is perfect for sharing and satisfying, making it a crowd-pleaser that pairs well with sparkling drinks.
- Elevate the holiday appetizer by taking baked brie to the next level with these Bite-Sized Baked Bacon Brie Pockets: These elegant, savory bites feature creamy brie and crispy bacon wrapped in pastry, offering a rich and sophisticated counterpoint to the mimosa.
- For a festive and customizable spread, try a Christmas Cheese Board: Filled with a variety of cheeses, fruits, nuts, and crackers, a well-curated cheese board provides diverse flavors and textures that pair wonderfully with sparkling beverages.
Don’t forget to check out the full list of Christmas cocktails and drinks (including non-alcoholic options!) too for even more inspiration!
Finally, if you whip up this fantastic Cranberry Mimosa recipe, I would absolutely love to hear about it! Please take a moment to give this recipe a rating or leave a comment below. Your feedback means the world to me, and I genuinely make time to respond to every single comment. Don’t hesitate to drop any questions you might have as well!
Oh, and be sure to tag me on Instagram if you share photos of your beautiful Poinsettia Cocktails! It’s truly my favorite thing to see these recipes come to life in your homes and kitchens. Your creations inspire me and make all the effort worthwhile!
Cranberry Mimosa
Equipment
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Double Jigger
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Pyrex Prepware Measuring Cups
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Libbey Stemless Champagne Flute Glasses
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups 100% cranberry juice chilled
- 1/4 cup Grand Marnier (or Cointreau)
- 1 750 ml bottle of chilled brut champagne (or your preferred sparkling wine)
- Garnish: fresh cranberries rosemary sprigs
Instructions
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Ensure all ingredients (cranberry juice, orange liqueur, and champagne) are thoroughly chilled before beginning.
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Fill a champagne flute approximately 1/3 of the way full with the chilled 100% cranberry juice.
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Carefully add 1 tablespoon of Grand Marnier (or Cointreau) into the flute.
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Slowly top off the remainder of the glass with the chilled brut champagne, pouring gently to preserve the bubbles.
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Garnish each cocktail with a few fresh or frozen cranberries and a sprig of fresh rosemary for a festive look and aroma. Serve immediately.