This Cranberry Mimosa, aka Poinsettia Cocktail, is based on the classic mimosa with a slightly tart edge from cranberry juice and just a hint of orange. It's an easy-to-make, light festive drink with just 3 ingredients - dry champagne, cranberry juice cocktail, and orange juice with an optional garnish of rosemary.
The perfect holiday cocktail for Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas brunch, New Year’s Eve, or really any time of year!
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Festive Cranberry Mimosas
Mimosas are a popular drink in our house, especially for special occasions and during the holiday season. I love the traditional mimosa, which we have every Mother's Day, as well as my Hawaiian Mimosa for a tropical twist, but this delicious cocktail has a special place in our hearts for the holidays. They've actually become a family tradition to serve on Christmas morning ever since our children became adults.
This cranberry mimosa cocktail adds cranberry juice and a sprig of rosemary to the usual mix, making it into a festive red and green Christmas mimosa or, as some call it, poinsettia champagne cocktail. Of course, the combination of champagne and cranberry makes it the perfect drink for Thanksgiving, New Year’s Eve, or any holiday gathering!
What is a Mimosa?
Mimosa is a cocktail comprised of dry champagne and orange juice or other chilled fruit juices. It is usually served in a champagne glass and is the signature cocktail for any special occasion such as weddings or holiday parties, not to mention it's a fantastic brunch drink as well.
Ingredients
Champagne – choose dry or sweet or opt for Italian sparkling wine or Prosecco, both tasty but less costly alternatives.
Cranberry juice cocktail – adds a light tartness as well as holiday color to the cocktail. You can also opt for straight cranberry juice but add a touch of honey or simple syrup to cut some of the tartness.
Orange Juice – use fresh orange juice if possible for the lightest and most flavorful taste or substitute either Grand Marnier, Cointreau, or Triple Sec for a more alcoholic option. These will also add sweetness to offset the tartness of the cranberry juice.
Fresh cranberries and rosemary – I love the seasonality of the cranberries and the aroma of the rosemary. You can also use a thyme sprig instead of rosemary or change it up by adding an orange slice to the rim.
How To Make A Christmas Mimosa
To whip up the perfect cranberry mimosa recipe, start with the standard mimosa recipe of orange juice and dry champagne, and add a bit of tart cranberry juice or cranberry juice cocktail to offset the sweetness.
- Fill a champagne flute halfway with champagne.
- Add orange juice.
- Pour in cranberry juice or cranberry juice cocktail.
- Garnish with sugar-coated cranberries and a sprig of rosemary or thyme.
I added sugared fresh whole cranberries and a sprig of rosemary for a colorful finishing touch to this holiday mimosa. It makes for a very elegant-looking cocktail, as well as adding a wonderful aroma and a touch of Christmas greenery.
These were some of the best cranberry mimosas I've ever had! They're an easy drink to make, with simple ingredients and plenty of flavor. The red and green colors put everyone in the holiday spirit and the tart cranberry flavor with the whiff of rosemary with each sip put the perfect finishing touch on our holiday get-together.
Tips & Tricks
- Always add the champagne to the glass first then top with the cranberry and orange juices. This will eliminate the need to stir the cocktail.
- Serve this cranberry mimosa in champagne flutes which are designed to help retain the champagne's bubbles.
- Always use chilled ingredients for the most refreshing cocktail.
- Freeze the sugared cranberries and add them to the champagne glass to act as ice cubes and help keep the drink cold. You can also add them onto a cocktail skewer as garnish.
Variations
Add pomegranate juice instead of cranberry juice so you can still maintain the red hue.
Replace some of the orange juice with blood orange juice.
As an alternative to Grand Marnier, try Chambord for a more French-inspired mimosa.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can opt for any champagne from very dry to sweet, sparkling wine, Spanish Cava, or Prosecco which are slightly sweeter and less costly options. Check out this champagne graph that shows all your champagne options.
Cranberry juice is 100% juice with no added sugar while cranberry juice cocktail is already sweetened. If you prefer to use cranberry juice but like a sweeter cocktail, add a little honey, simple syrup, or agave to the drink, or just sugar the rim of the glass.
It's easy! Just substitute sparkling soda or water for the champagne or opt for carbonated water, which comes in many flavors, for a little variety.
Absolutely! Just combine 1 cup cranberry juice cocktail with ½ cup orange juice or orange liqueur and, just before guests arrive, add 1 bottle of champagne.
More Festive Cocktails for the Holidays
Christmas Margarita with white cranberry juice with a sweet sugar cocktail rim.
Eggnog Martini with vanilla, nutmeg, and a touch of cinnamon.
Peppermint Patty Cocktail topped with whipped cream and chocolate syrup.
Brandy Alexander complete with ice cream and brandy, is the perfect cocktail but also rich enough for dessert.
Pecan Pie Shots are decadently rimmed with caramel and pecans.
Find even more holiday drink recipes right here on 2CM!
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Cranberry Mimosas
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¾ cup champagne (use club soda, sparkling soda or carbonated water for a virgin mimosa)
- ¼ cup cranberry juice cocktail or cranberry juice (add a little simple syrup if using just cranberry juice)
- 2 Tablespoons orange juice or orange liqueur like Cointreau, Grand Mariner or Triple Sec
- Garnish: frozen cranberries coated with sugar (see note below for how-tos), rosemary or thyme sprigs, orange slices
Instructions
- Fill champagne flute ½ way with champagne (about ½ cup). Add cranberry juice and orange juice.
- Garnish with a few frozen sugared cranberries on a toothpick or an orange slice on the rim and a sprig of rosemary (optional).
- You can also make a pitcher just prior to serving to make it easier to serve a crowd.
Notes
Nutrition
This post has been updated with new and more useful content. It was first published on November 12, 2015.
