Festive & Easy Cranberry Mimosas: The Ultimate Holiday Cocktail Recipe
Searching for a simple yet stunning cocktail to brighten your holiday gatherings? Look no further than this vibrant Cranberry Mimosa! With just three core ingredients and mere minutes of preparation, you’ll be ready to toast the season with a drink that’s sure to be a delightful hit with everyone. Whether you’re hosting a grand celebration or an intimate get-together, this sparkling concoction offers a delicious and spirited twist on a classic, perfectly encapsulating the joy of the holidays. Its beautiful ruby hue and refreshing taste make it an irresistible choice for any festive occasion, from Thanksgiving dinner to Christmas brunch and New Year’s Eve.
Why You’ll Adore This Cranberry Mimosa Recipe
While mimosas are famously associated with Mother’s Day and lazy Sunday brunches, their celebratory nature makes them a perfect cocktail for any time of year. This cranberry-infused version, however, truly shines during the autumn and winter months. It’s not just a drink; it’s a festive experience, offering a delightful balance of tart and sweet that’s incredibly versatile and easy to prepare. Here’s why this particular Cranberry Mimosa recipe will quickly become your holiday entertaining go-to:
- Effortless Elegance: With only three main ingredients, this recipe proves that sophisticated drinks don’t have to be complicated. It’s quick to assemble, leaving you more time to enjoy your guests and the festivities.
- Seasonal Charm: The vibrant red color of cranberry juice perfectly complements the festive palette of fall and winter holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. It’s visually stunning and evokes a cozy holiday spirit.
- Perfect Flavor Profile: The tartness of cranberry juice beautifully cuts through the sweetness of orange juice and the crispness of sparkling wine, creating a wonderfully balanced and refreshing flavor that’s not overly sweet.
- Scalable for Any Occasion: Whether you’re preparing a single glass for yourself or a large pitcher for a crowd, this recipe is easily adaptable. We’ll show you how to effortlessly scale it up to serve all your guests.
- Budget-Friendly: Opting for Prosecco or a good quality sparkling wine instead of expensive champagne makes this an economical choice for entertaining without compromising on taste or sparkle.
- Customizable: Adjust the ratios of the juices to suit your preference for more tartness or sweetness, making it a truly personalized drink.
Essential Ingredients You’ll Need
Find precise measurements, a full list of ingredients, and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card located at the end of this post.
Crafting the perfect Cranberry Mimosa begins with selecting quality ingredients. While the list is short, each component plays a crucial role in the final flavor and appearance of your holiday cocktail. Here’s what you’ll need and some tips for choosing the best:
- Sparkling Wine or Prosecco: The bubbly base of any good mimosa! While French Champagne is traditionally used, an Italian Prosecco or Spanish Cava offers excellent value and a delicious, crisp flavor that works beautifully in this recipe. Look for a “Brut” or “Extra Dry” label for a less sweet option that balances well with the fruit juices. A good quality, inexpensive sparkling wine will do the trick and won’t break the bank when serving a crowd.
- Orange Juice: For the freshest and most vibrant flavor, freshly squeezed orange juice is highly recommended. It provides a bright, natural sweetness and a hint of tang that elevates the cocktail. If fresh isn’t an option, choose a high-quality, pulp-free orange juice for the best results.
- Pure Cranberry Juice: This is a key ingredient, and the distinction between “pure cranberry juice” and “cranberry juice cocktail” is vital. Pure cranberry juice offers an intense, tart, and authentic berry flavor that is essential for the mimosa’s character. Cranberry juice cocktail, on the other hand, is often heavily sweetened and diluted with other fruit juices, which can make your mimosa overly sweet and less complex. Always check the label to ensure you’re getting pure cranberry juice.
- Fresh Cranberries (for garnish): A few fresh cranberries floating in your glass not only add a beautiful, festive touch but also a delightful burst of color. They are the perfect simple garnish to signal the holiday spirit.
- Optional Garnish Additions: Consider adding a sprig of fresh rosemary for an aromatic touch, or a thin slice of orange or lime for extra citrusy zest. These small details can elevate the presentation even further.
Remember, the better the quality of your juices, the more exquisite your Cranberry Mimosa will taste. Chilling all your ingredients thoroughly before mixing is also crucial for serving a perfectly crisp and refreshing drink.
Crafting Your Cranberry Mimosa: Step-by-Step
The beauty of this Cranberry Mimosa lies in its simplicity. Whether you’re preparing a single, elegant drink for yourself or a large pitcher to share with friends and family, the process is incredibly straightforward. Below, we’ll guide you through making both a single-serve cocktail and a batch for a crowd. The exact measurements for each serving size are conveniently listed in the recipe card at the very end of this post.
For a Single, Perfect Serving
- Chill Your Ingredients: Before you begin, ensure your sparkling wine, orange juice, and pure cranberry juice are thoroughly chilled. This is key for a refreshing mimosa.
- Prepare Your Glassware: Grab a champagne flute. The tall, slender design not only looks elegant but also helps to preserve the bubbles in your sparkling wine.
- Pour Cranberry Juice: Gently pour the pure cranberry juice into the bottom of the champagne flute. Aim for a vibrant layer at the base.
- Add Orange Juice: Next, carefully add the orange juice. Pour it slowly over the cranberry juice to create a beautiful gradient effect if desired, or simply mix.
- Top with Sparkling Wine: Finally, slowly top off the glass with your chilled sparkling wine. Pouring gently will minimize foam and help retain those delightful effervescent bubbles. The sparkling wine will naturally mix with the juices, creating a harmonious blend.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish your Cranberry Mimosa with a few fresh cranberries dropped into the glass. For an extra festive touch, you can add a small sprig of fresh rosemary. Serve immediately to enjoy the maximum fizz and flavor!
Preparing for a Crowd (Pitcher Method)
Entertaining a larger group is made effortless with the pitcher method. This allows your guests to serve themselves as needed, ensuring continuous enjoyment throughout your event. However, a crucial tip: do not mix the entire batch too far in advance, as the sparkling wine will lose its effervescence. Prepare the juice mixture ahead of time, and add the sparkling wine just before serving or allow guests to add it themselves.
- Chill Everything: Just like with single servings, ensure all your juices and the sparkling wine are thoroughly chilled.
- Combine Juices: In a large pitcher, combine the orange juice and pure cranberry juice. You can do this an hour or two in advance and keep it refrigerated.
- Add Sparkling Wine Just Before Serving: When your guests arrive, or within 15 minutes of serving, gently pour the entire bottle of chilled sparkling wine into the pitcher with the mixed juices. Stir very gently once or twice to combine, but avoid vigorous stirring that would dissipate the bubbles.
- Add Garnish: Toss in a generous handful of fresh cranberries directly into the pitcher for both visual appeal and a subtle fruit infusion.
- Serve Immediately: Place the pitcher on your serving station along with chilled champagne flutes. Guests can then pour their own, ensuring a fresh and bubbly drink every time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cranberry Mimosas
To help you perfect your holiday Cranberry Mimosa, here are some common questions and expert answers:
While true Champagne (from the Champagne region of France) is traditionally associated with mimosas, many other excellent sparkling wines exist that are more budget-friendly and equally delicious for this cocktail. Italian Prosecco is a fantastic and popular choice due to its crisp, fruity notes and generally lower price point. Spanish Cava is another great option. Feel free to opt for any dry sparkling wine (look for “Brut” or “Extra Dry” on the label) that you enjoy drinking on its own. The most important thing is that it’s a sparkling wine you like!
Absolutely! While freshly squeezed orange juice will always offer the brightest and most superior flavor, high-quality bottled orange juice can certainly be used. If choosing bottled, opt for a 100% pure orange juice without added sugars or concentrates, as these can make your mimosa overly sweet and detract from the natural balance of flavors. Ensure it’s pulp-free for a smoother drinking experience.
This is a critical distinction! We strongly recommend using pure cranberry juice, not cranberry juice cocktail. Pure cranberry juice has a wonderfully tart, intense berry flavor that is crucial for balancing the sweetness of the orange juice and sparkling wine. Cranberry juice cocktail, conversely, is typically loaded with added sugars and often blended with other fruit juices (like apple or grape), resulting in a much sweeter and less authentic cranberry taste. Using cranberry juice cocktail would make your mimosa excessively sweet and less refreshing.
Mimosas are definitely best served thoroughly chilled! It is essential to ensure that your sparkling wine, orange juice, and cranberry juice are all well-chilled before you start mixing. While mimosas should be served cold, we advise against adding ice directly to the flute. Ice will melt and dilute your drink, diminishing its flavor and effervescence. If you’re serving a large pitcher, you can place the pitcher in a larger bowl filled with ice to keep it cool without diluting the contents.
Mimosas are best enjoyed fresh, within about 15 minutes of mixing, especially when it comes to single servings. The sparkling wine will begin to lose its delightful bubbles (go “flat”) almost immediately upon being opened and mixed. If you’re preparing for a crowd, you can combine the orange juice and pure cranberry juice in a pitcher and refrigerate it several hours in advance. However, only add the sparkling wine right before you plan to serve. This strategy ensures maximum fizziness and flavor for all your guests.
Absolutely! For a delicious non-alcoholic option, simply substitute the sparkling wine with sparkling cider, sparkling white grape juice, or a non-alcoholic sparkling rosé. The combination of cranberry and orange juice is delightful on its own, and the added sparkle from a non-alcoholic alternative makes it a festive drink suitable for all ages and preferences.
Whether you’re hosting a grand festive party or an intimate holiday get-together, this easy Cranberry Mimosa recipe provides a delicious and elegantly simple twist on a classic, perfectly embodying the cheerful spirit of the holiday season. Its refreshing taste and vibrant color make it an instant favorite, guaranteeing smiles and clinking glasses.
More Festive Holiday Cocktail Ideas
If you loved this Cranberry Mimosa, you might be looking for more delightful drink recipes to complete your holiday menu. Here are some other fantastic festive cocktails that are sure to impress your guests:
- Decadent Chocolate Peppermint Martini
- Warm & Comforting Hot Cranberry Punch
- Sparkling Cranberry Prosecco Punch
- Traditional Cranberry Holiday Punch
- Aromatic Mulled Wine
- Creamy Homemade Eggnog Cocktail
- Fruity Cranberry Sangria
- Sweet Caramel Apple Mimosas
- Cozy Spiked Caramel Apple Cider
I absolutely love creating and sharing delicious recipes with you! To ensure you never miss out on new kitchen experiences, I offer a convenient newsletter delivered right to your inbox every time a new recipe is posted. Simply subscribe here and start receiving your free daily recipes!
Cranberry Mimosa
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
For One Drink
- 4 ounces sparkling wine or Prosecco see notes
- 2 ounces orange juice
- 2 ounces pure cranberry juice
- Fresh cranberries for garnish
For A Crowd (serves 4-6)
- 750 ml bottle sparkling wine or Prosecoo
- 1 ¼ cups orange juice
- ½ cup pure cranberry juice
- Fresh cranberries for garnish
Things You’ll Need
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Champagne flutes
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Large Pitcher
Before You Begin: Important Tips for the Best Mimosa
- Choose Your Sparkling Wine Wisely: There are many delightful kinds of sparkling wine available. For mimosas, Italian Prosecco is often a fantastic and more affordable alternative to traditional French Champagne, offering a crisp and fruity profile that works perfectly. Spanish Cava is another excellent choice. Look for “Brut” or “Extra Dry” for a balanced taste that isn’t overly sweet when combined with the juices.
- Opt for Fresh Orange Juice: While bottled orange juice will work in a pinch, freshly squeezed orange juice provides a superior, brighter, and more natural flavor that truly elevates the mimosa. If using bottled, ensure it’s 100% juice without added sugars.
- Pure Cranberry Juice is Key: It is crucial to use pure, unsweetened cranberry juice, not a “cranberry juice cocktail.” Pure cranberry juice delivers a wonderfully tart, intense berry flavor that balances the sweetness of the orange juice and sparkling wine. Cranberry juice cocktail is typically very sweet and often contains other juices, which would make your mimosa too sweet and less sophisticated.
- Serve it Chilled, Not Iced: For the most refreshing experience, make sure to thoroughly chill all your ingredients – the sparkling wine, orange juice, and cranberry juice – before mixing your cocktail. Mimosas should be served cold, but ideally without ice in the glass, as ice will quickly melt and dilute the drink, reducing its flavor and fizziness.
- Mix Just Before Serving: To maintain the sparkling wine’s effervescence, I do not recommend making mimosas more than 15 minutes before serving. The bubbles will begin to dissipate immediately once the bottle is opened and the wine is mixed. If preparing for a crowd, pre-mix the juices in a pitcher and add the sparkling wine right before your guests arrive, or let them add the bubbles to their own glass.
Instructions
For One Drink
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In a chilled champagne flute, pour the pure cranberry juice first, followed by the orange juice. Slowly top with sparkling wine, pouring gently to preserve the bubbles. Garnish with a few fresh cranberries. Serve immediately.
For A Crowd (Pitcher Method)
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In a large pitcher, combine the chilled orange juice and pure cranberry juice. Just before serving, gently pour in the chilled sparkling wine and add fresh cranberries for garnish. Stir very lightly if necessary, and serve into champagne flutes as needed to keep the drinks bubbly.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.