Cranberry Mimosa

A cranberry mimosa with cranberries and greenery.

Want to switch up the classic mimosa with cranberry juice instead of orange juice? This cranberry mimosa (a.k.a. poinsettia mimosa) is a perfect sipper for holiday brunch. They’re simple to make by the glass or pitcher with cranberry juice and champagne, plus a little sweetener. Enjoy this cranberry mimosa recipe with your family and friends.

The ingredients needed to make cranberry mimosas.

They say that brunch is a socially acceptable excuse for day drinking. I concur.

There’s something about a mid-day libation that’s festive and celebratory… and a bit like you’re getting away with something. Cranberry mimosas are a light, bubbly, not-too-boozy sipper perfect for Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and the holiday season.

Why you’ll love a cranberry mimosa for Christmas brunch

  • Cranberry juice and champagne give a whole new flair to mimosas.
  • They’re not too sweet.
  • Make cranberry mimosas by the glass for smaller groups.
  • Make them by the pitcher (in advance) for larger groups.
  • The deep red color is pure holidays.

Ingredients for cranberry mimosas

  • Cranberry Juice Cocktail – I used Ocean Spray
  • Brut or Extra Dry Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, or other Sparkling Wine
  • Honey Simple Syrup – easy to make and takes about 5 minute.
  • Fresh Cranberries (for garnish, optional)

Note: Your bubbly doesn’t have to come from France for these holiday mimosas, but I found a good Cremant de Bourgogne (which is a sparkling wine from the region adjacent to the champagne region in France) at Trader Joe’s for about $10/bottle.

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Best glasses for mimosas

I like to make these poinsettia mimosas in vintage coupe glasses as a throwback to old-timey Christmas past.

I go to my local thrift store to hunt for them – they’re inexpensive, and if you get several different types, it’s easy for guests to remember which cranberry mimosa is theirs. Vintage glasses make a fun conversation starter, too. You can also serve them in champagne flutes.

How to make cranberry mimosas by the glass

  1. Pour half an ounce of chilled honey simple syrup into the coupe glass.
  2. Add two ounces of chilled cranberry juice.
  3. Top with 2 ounces of chilled champagne, prosecco, or other bubbly.
  4. Garnish with fresh cranberries (or to add more chill to the champagne cocktail, freeze cranberries the night before and add a few frozen cranberries to each glass.)

The key to making bubbly drinks by the pitcher is to mix the non-bubbly mixture in advance and chill it well. Then let guests pour the cranberry mixer into their glasses and top with chilled bubbly.

Making Poinsettia mimosas by the pitcher

  1. Use a 32-ounce pitcher and combine 3 cups of cranberry juice with 3/4 cup honey simple syrup.
  2. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
  3. At the same time, chill the champagne.
  4. To serve, pour 2 1/2 ounces of cranberry mixture into a coupe or flute glass and top with 2 ounces of chilled bubbly.
  5. Garnish with fresh or frozen cranberries.

Swaps and Variations:

  • If you want a little citrusy accent to your cranberry and champagne cocktail, add a splash (about half an ounce) of Cointreau, Grand Marnier, triple sec, or another orange liqueur to the bubbles and juice for cranberry orange mimosas. Remember an extra orange slice or twist as a garnish.
  • For a sweeter flavor, use cran-apple juice or add half an ounce of apple cider to the mix. Garnish with a slice of fresh or dried apple.
  • Garnish the rim of the glass with a sparkling sugar garnish, or use red or pink-colored sparkling sugar for a sweet accent.
  • Use rosemary sprigs with a cranberry impaled on the stem as a garnish and stirrer for this Christmas mimosa. (Pro-Tip: run your fingers along a sprig of fresh rosemary to release the oils and make it smell piney and bright).
  • Got clumsy friends or relatives? Use white cranberry juice or pink cranberry juice so there’s less chance of stains from spills.
  • Make a non-alcoholic mocktail by substituting sparkling white grape juice or sparkling water for the champagne.
Bubbles floating on top of the cranberry mimosa in a coupe glass.
Doesn’t it make you thirsty?

FAQ’s

Can I blend the pointsettia mimosas in advance?

Yes. You’ll be able to mix the cranberry and honey syrup in advance. Don’t add anything bubbly until you’re ready to serve so that the fizz remains.

How long will leftovers last?

You can store leftover cranberry and honey for several days well covered in the refrigerator. If you’ve already added champagne to the cranberry juice, it won’t last long… maybe an hour or two, so clink your glasses and drink up! Cheers!

Is there a way to save leftover champagne?

Absolutely! Find a champagne stopper {affiliate link} online or at your local grocery or liquor store. These are great for keeping bubbles bubbly for a week or longer.

an overhead photo of the cranberry mimosa in a glass with cranberry garnish and sprig of greenery.

More champagne cocktails and brunch drinks you’ll love:

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A cranberry mimosa with 3 berries floating in it.
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5 from 3 votes

Cranberry Mimosa

Get in the holiday spirit with festive cranberry mimosas for your holiday brunch. These quick and easy Christmas cocktails have a beautiful crimson hue and sweet-tart, bubbly flavor. Garnish with a few whole cranberries in each glass.
Author: Lisa Lotts
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Keyword champagne, cranberry juice, prosecco, sparkling wine
Dietary Restrictions Dairy-Free, Egg Free, Gluten-Free, Vegetarian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT:

  • coupe glasses or flutes

INGREDIENTS:

FOR CRANBERRY MIMOSAS BY THE GLASS:

  • ½ ounce honey syrup
  • 2 ounces chilled cranberry juice
  • 2 ounces chilled prosecco or other sparkling wine

GARNISH:

  • fresh or frozen cranberries

FOR A PITCHER OF CRANBERRY MIMOSA

  • 3 cups cranberry juice
  • ¾ cup honey syrup
  • 1 750 ml bottle champagne, prosecco, cava, or sparkling wine chilled

GARNISH:

  • fresh or frozen cranberries

DIRECTIONS:

FOR INDIVIDUAL CRANBERRY MIMOSA COCKTAILS:

  • Combine the honey syrup and cranberry juice in a glass. Top with chilled prosecco and garnish with a few frozen cranberries. Enjoy.

FOR A PITCHER OF POINTSETTIA MIMOSAS:

  • In a 32 ounce pitcher, combine the cranberry juice and honey simple syrup. Stir. Cover and chill several hours or overnight. Chill a bottle of champagne.
  • To serve, pour 2 1/2 ounces of cranberry mixture into individual flute or coupe glasses and top with 2 ounces of bubbly. Garnish with cranberries.

NUTRITION:

Calories: 92kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 102mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 26IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg

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One Comment

  1. 5 stars
    We always have cranberry juice in the house, so I made these this weekend to go with brunch after church. I like them better than regular mimosas — and that honey simple syrup is the perfect balance.