There’s just something magical about the holidays, right? The twinkling lights, the cozy fires, the *smell* of everything wonderful baking. And for me, no holiday gathering feels complete without a special drink in hand. I’ve tried so many festive cocktails over the years, always looking for that perfect balance of easy and elegant. That’s why I absolutely adore this Christmas Cranberry Mimosa. It’s the easiest way to feel instantly fancy, all while barely lifting a finger. Honestly, it’s become my go-to for Christmas morning brunch and even New Year’s Eve toasts. It just screams ‘celebration’ with that gorgeous ruby-red color and a delightful bubbly fizz. You’re going to love how simple it is to whip up a whole pitcher!

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Cranberry Mimosa

Seriously, this mimosa is a holiday miracle worker! Here’s why you’ll be making it year after year:

Super Easy to Make: We’re talking minutes here, folks! Perfect for when you’re busy hosting or just want to relax.
Festive & Gorgeous: That deep cranberry red is just *stunning*. It instantly elevates your holiday table and makes everything feel more special.
Perfect Flavor Balance: It’s got that wonderful mix of tart cranberry, a hint of sweet orange, and the crisp fizz of prosecco. It’s not too sweet, not too tart – just right!
Versatile: Whether it’s Christmas morning brunch, a holiday party, or just a fun weekend treat, this cocktail fits right in.

Gather Your Ingredients for the Christmas Cranberry Mimosa

Alright, let’s get down to business. You don’t need a whole lot for this festive sipper, and I bet you already have most of it! Having everything prepped makes assembling these Christmas Cranberry Mimosas an absolute breeze. Here’s what you’ll want to grab:

First up, you absolutely need a good bottle of bubbly. I swear by chilled Prosecco or Champagne for this – anything around 750ml works perfectly. You want it nice and cold, so pop it in the fridge ahead of time! Then, grab about 1 cup of really good, chilled cranberry juice. I like the 100% juice stuff, not the cocktail blend, because it gives you that perfect tart punch. If you like a little more sweetness, you can totally go for a cranberry blend, just keep that in mind!

Next, for that extra little zing, you’ll want about 1/2 cup of an orange liqueur. Grand Marnier is divine, but Cointreau is fantastic too. If you don’t have orange liqueur or want to keep it simpler, don’t sweat it! You can totally skip it, or a splash of fresh orange juice works in a pinch. Finally, for that gorgeous festive touch, have some fresh cranberries and a few thin orange slices ready for garnishing. So simple, right? You can find more info on cranberry mimosas if you want to peek!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Christmas Cranberry Mimosa

Making this festive drink is honestly so straightforward, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it sooner! It’s all about layering those flavors just right. Trust me, these simple steps will have you clinking glasses in no time. You can even find more tips on making Prosecco cocktails right here if you’re feeling extra adventurous!

Preparing the Flutes

First things first, let’s get those glasses ready. Grab your prettiest champagne flutes – the tall, skinny ones really show off the bubbles! Now, carefully pour about 2 tablespoons of that chilled cranberry juice into the bottom of each glass. Then, add in about 1 tablespoon of your orange liqueur. Don’t stress too much about exact measurements here; it’s more about getting that lovely sweet and tart base ready for the bubbly goodness.

Adding the Bubbly

Here comes the fun part! You want to slowly, *slowly* top off each flute with your chilled Prosecco or Champagne. Pouring it gently down the side of the glass helps keep all those lovely bubbles intact. Overfill it, and you’ll have a bubbly mess! It should fill up almost to the brim, leaving just a little space for the garnish. Watch it sparkle! It’s already looking so festive, isn’t it?

Garnishing Your Christmas Cranberry Mimosa

Now for the grand finale that makes it truly a Christmas Cranberry Mimosa! Take a few fresh cranberries – maybe three or four – and drop them into the flute. They’ll float prettily. Then, take one of those thin orange slices and either perch it on the rim of the glass or carefully slide it in among the cranberries. Isn’t she a beauty? It’s the perfect finishing touch that screams holiday!

Tips for the Perfect Christmas Cranberry Mimosa

Okay, so making this drink is simple, but a few little tricks can really make your Christmas Cranberry Mimosa truly shine! Seriously, paying attention to these small details makes all the difference. My absolute number one tip? Make sure everything is COLD. I mean *ice* cold. The Prosecco or Champagne, the cranberry juice – all of it. Cold ingredients mean maximum bubbles and a perfectly crisp, refreshing drink. Nothing worse than a lukewarm mimosa, right?

When you’re pouring the bubbly, definitely go slow! I learned that the hard way and ended up with a sticky counter. Pour it down the side of the glass, and don’t be afraid to hold the bottle at a bit of an angle. This helps preserve those lovely bubbles. And about the garnish – while fresh cranberries and an orange slice look amazing, you can totally get creative! A sprig of rosemary looks so festive and smells incredible with the cranberry, or a tiny cinnamon stick adds a warm spice note. For presenting them, I love lining up a few glasses on a pretty tray – it looks so inviting for guests. For more ideas on other festive cranberry cocktails, check this out!

Variations and Substitutions for Your Christmas Cranberry Mimosa

You know, the beauty of a simple recipe like our Christmas Cranberry Mimosa is how easy it is to make it totally your own! While I absolutely adore it with the classic Prosecco and orange liqueur combo, there are so many fun ways to switch it up. For starters, if you’re not a huge fan of Prosecco, a nice crisp Cava or even a dry Champagne works beautifully. If you want to play with the juice, a splash of pomegranate juice mixed with the cranberry adds another layer of tartness and a gorgeous deep color. And for that orange liqueur? If you don’t have it, don’t worry! A tablespoon of fresh orange juice gives you that little bit of citrus brightness, or honestly, you could even skip it if you’re in a pinch.

Now, for my favorite trick – the non-alcoholic version! This is perfect for everyone to enjoy. Just swap out the Prosecco for some sparkling apple cider or a good quality sparkling white grape juice. For the orange flavor, a little splash of orange juice is perfect. You can even skip the orange liqueur entirely. The cranberry juice and bubbles still make it feel super festive! It’s all about making it work for you and your guests. For more ideas on amazing non-alcoholic cocktails, check this out!

Frequently Asked Questions about Christmas Cranberry Mimosas

Got questions about our festive Christmas Cranberry Mimosa? I’ve got answers! It’s one of those drinks that’s so simple, yet people always ask about making it *just right*. Here are a few things that pop up often:

Can I make this Christmas Cranberry Mimosa ahead of time?

You know, for the best bubbles, I really recommend assembling these mimosas right before serving. The Prosecco can go flat if it sits too long. BUT, you can totally get a head start! Mix your cranberry juice and orange liqueur in a pitcher and keep it chilled in the fridge. Then, when you’re ready to serve, just pour into glasses and top with the bubbly. That way, you’re just seconds away from a festive drink!

What’s the best sparkling wine for a Christmas Cranberry Mimosa?

Honestly, any good quality, dry sparkling wine will be fantastic! Prosecco is my go-to because it’s usually affordable and has a lovely crispness. Cava is another great option, and if you want to splurge a little, a dry Champagne is always divine. The key is to use something that’s not too sweet, so it balances out the cranberry and orange nicely. You can check out some more sparkling wine cocktails if you’re curious!

How do you make a non-alcoholic Christmas Cranberry Mimosa?

Oh, this is super easy and so important so everyone can join the fun! Just swap out the Prosecco for chilled sparkling apple cider or a good sparkling white grape juice. And instead of the orange liqueur, you can add a splash of regular orange juice. It still tastes festive and bubbly, I promise!

Can I adjust the sweetness of my Christmas Cranberry Mimosa?

Absolutely! This is the beauty of homemade drinks. If you have a sweeter tooth, feel free to add a little more cranberry juice or even a tiny drizzle of simple syrup. If you prefer it tarter, just use less cranberry juice or a drier sparkling wine. Taste as you go – that’s my motto!

Nutritional Information

Just a little heads-up, the nutritional info for this Christmas Cranberry Mimosa is an estimate, okay? It can totally change depending on the exact brands of Prosecco, cranberry juice, and orange liqueur you use. But generally, one serving will ring in around 250 calories, 15g of sugar, and about 18g of carbs. It’s pretty much fat-free and has minimal sodium, so you can enjoy that festive bubbly guilt-free!

Christmas Cranberry Mimosa

Author: cocktailmixguide.com
Total Time: 5 min
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A festive and easy-to-make mimosa perfect for holiday brunches.

Ingredients

Scale

1 bottle (750ml) chilled Prosecco or Champagne
1 cup chilled cranberry juice
1/2 cup orange liqueur (like Grand Marnier or Cointreau)
Fresh cranberries for garnish
Orange slices for garnish

Instructions

Pour 2 tablespoons of cranberry juice into each champagne flute.
Add 1 tablespoon of orange liqueur to each flute.
Slowly top with chilled Prosecco or Champagne.
Garnish with fresh cranberries and an orange slice.

Notes

For a non-alcoholic version, substitute sparkling cider for Prosecco and omit the orange liqueur.
Adjust the amount of cranberry juice to your sweetness preference.

Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 0 min
Category: Brunch
Method: Mixing
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 250
Sugar: 15g
Sodium: 5mg
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: Christmas, Cranberry, Mimosa, Holiday, Brunch, Cocktail, Festive, Easy