Cranberry Mimosas are a refreshing holiday cocktail, made with champagne and fresh cranberries. Garnished with rosemary, these Christmas mimosas are perfect for your next holiday party.
If you love this recipe, you’ll definitely want to try my Cranberry Pillsbury Cream Cheese Danish Crescent Rolls or these easy Dried Cranberry Muffins.
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Why this Cranberry Mimosa Recipe is a Keeper
This twist on the standard mimosa cocktail is flavored with cranberries and rosemary, and uses tart cranberry juice instead of orange juice. It’s also called a poinsettia cocktail, and is great for getting into the holiday spirit. If you’re looking to make the perfect drinks to serve alongside your favorite holiday brunch foods, try this festive variation of the classic mimosa. Here are a few reasons why you’ll love this recipe for the perfect holiday cocktail:
- 2 Minute Drink: It only takes 2 minutes to mix these champagne and cranberry juice cocktails. But it is so impressive.
- Easy Ingredients: All of the ingredients for holiday mimosas can be found in your kitchen or local grocery store. It is so easy.
- Special Occasion Worthy: This is the best mimosa recipe for Christmas or Thanksgiving. Or any special occasion you like.
What is a Holiday Mimosa?
Mimosas are typically made with orange juice and champagne. Because champagne can be expensive, sparkling wine is also good for mimosas instead of your best champagne.
Best Champagne Cocktail Ingredient Notes
- Champagne: Make these cocktails with champagne or a cheaper sparkling wine. Brut champagne is the best kind of champagne for this recipe.
- Cranberry Juice: Use unsweetened cranberry juice to give this easy mimosa recipe its tart cranberry flavor.
- Rosemary: Garnish these cocktails with fresh rosemary.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for Thanksgiving Mimosas
- Chill Ingredients: Chill the ingredients and glasses before making the mimosas.
- Garnish: Prep the garnish, then add right before serving.
Pro Tip for the Best Cranberry Mimosa
For a more vibrant and visually appealing cranberry mimosa, chill the cranberry juice before adding it to the champagne or sparkling wine. This will help the two liquids mix more evenly and prevent the cranberry juice from clouding the champagne.
Special Equipment Needed for Festive Cranberry Mimosas
- Champagne Flutes: Serve each Christmas morning mimosa in a champagne flute.
How to Make Cranberry Mimosas for a Crowd
These holiday mimosas are also called poinsettia cocktails. To make the best Christmas cocktails, pour in the juice and top with champagne, then use a cranberry and rosemary sprig to garnish. If you want, you can even add in a hint of orange flavor.
These are the basic steps for making the best cranberry mimosas. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
1. Pour the Champagne
Pour the cranberry juice first into a champagne glass, and top with champagne.
2. Garnish with Rosemary Sprig
Top with cranberries and a sprig of rosemary on the rim of the glass if desired, and enjoy.
How to Store and Use Leftover Mimosa Cocktails
- Storing: Store leftover mimosas in the refrigerator.
- Using Leftovers: If you want, drink leftover mimosas at brunch the next day.
Variations and Substitutions for the Best Cranberry Cocktail
- Spicy cranberry mimosa: Add a splash of ginger ale or a dash of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
- Tropical cranberry mimosa: Add a splash of pineapple juice or a few drops of coconut extract for a tropical twist.
Festive Christmas Mimosa FAQs
Serve these mimosas with Christmas tree bread, cherry Jello salad, or Christmas sangria.
Yes; if you don’t want to use a bottle of champagne, you can use prosecco or Cava.
Yes; use a seltzer water or grape juice instead of champagne.
Expert Tips for Making this Tart Cocktail Recipe
- Quality ingredients make a big difference. Opt for a good quality champagne or sparkling wine and pure cranberry juice.
- Pitcher: Make these mimosas for a crowd in a pitcher instead of individual flutes.
- Syrup: Sweeten the mimosas with a simple syrup.
- Cranberry Orange Mimosas: Add an orange liqueur, like Grand Marnier, to add an orange twist. If you prefer to use citrus juice instead, combine cranberry and orange juice with champagne for this festive cocktail. You can even use a different fruit juice, like pomegranate juice or apple cider.
- Experiment with proportions to find your ideal balance of sweet and bubbly.
- Keep it chilled for a refreshing and bubbly drink.
- Get creative with garnishes for a festive touch.
Cranberry Mimosas
Equipment
- 8 Ounce Champagne Flute
- Jigger optional
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Ingredients
- 4 ounces Champagne
- 2 ounces 100% Cranberry Juice
- Fresh Cranberries, optional garnish
- Fresh Rosemary Sprig, optional garnish
Instructions
- Pour the cranberry juice into a champagne glass and top off with the champagne.
- Top with some fresh cranberries and a rosemary sprig if desired, and enjoy.
Christina’s Notes
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- Quality ingredients make a big difference. Opt for a good quality champagne or sparkling wine and pure cranberry juice.
-
- Pitcher: Make these mimosas for a crowd in a pitcher instead of individual flutes.
-
- Syrup: Sweeten the mimosas with a simple syrup.
-
- Cranberry Orange Mimosas: Add an orange liqueur, like Grand Marnier, to add an orange twist. If you prefer to use citrus juice instead, combine cranberry and orange juice with champagne for this festive cocktail. You can even use a different fruit juice, like pomegranate juice or apple cider.
-
- Experiment with proportions to find your ideal balance of sweet and bubbly.
-
- Keep it chilled for a refreshing and bubbly drink.
-
- Get creative with garnishes for a festive touch.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.