Sparkling Sugared Cranberry Christmas Mimosas: The Ultimate Festive Brunch Cocktail
There’s an undeniable magic to Christmas morning, and what better way to amplify that festive glow than with a touch of sparkle in your glass? This Sugared Cranberry Christmas Mimosa is more than just an easy cocktail; it’s a dazzling, impressive drink that sets a celebratory tone for the entire day. A perfect toast to cherished moments and new memories!
Who doesn’t adore a festive cocktail, especially during the holiday season? These beautiful cranberry mimosas aren’t exclusively for Christmas morning; their vibrant red hue and delightful flavor make them perfect throughout the entire fall and winter seasons. Cranberries are a staple of cold-weather celebrations, and their rich color is simply stunning. Consider serving these sparkling drinks at your next Friendsgiving brunch, a cozy winter gathering, or even better, raise a glass with friends and family to a happy and healthy New Year!
Why You’ll Love This Sugared Cranberry Mimosa Recipe
Mimosas are renowned for their incredible simplicity, traditionally requiring just two ingredients: champagne and orange juice. This Christmas holiday twist elevates the classic by swapping orange juice for crisp cranberry juice, maintaining that effortless preparation. It’s truly as easy as pouring two delightful liquids into an elegant glass. However, the real secret to taking these mimosas to the next level lies in the homemade sugared cranberries. These frosted ruby jewels aren’t just a garnish; they add a touch of gourmet elegance and a delightful texture that makes each sip feel truly special. You’ll love how quickly you can prepare a sophisticated and visually stunning drink that will impress every guest at your holiday table.
Essential Ingredients for Your Festive Mimosa
Crafting the perfect Sugared Cranberry Christmas Mimosa requires just a few key components. Below is a quick overview of what you’ll need. For specific quantities, please refer to the detailed recipe card further down.
- Champagne: The cornerstone of any great mimosa! While it doesn’t need to be the most expensive bottle, choose a dry to extra dry (Brut or Extra Dry) champagne or sparkling wine that you genuinely enjoy drinking. The quality of your bubbly will directly impact the overall flavor of your mimosa. Ensure it’s thoroughly chilled for optimal refreshment.
- Cranberry Juice: This is the star flavor of our Christmas mimosa, so opting for a high-quality cranberry juice is crucial. Look for one that is not made from concentrate and ideally 100% cranberry juice for the purest, most vibrant flavor. You can also experiment with cranberry blends, like cranberry-pomegranate, for added depth and sweetness. Keep it well-chilled.
- Fresh Cranberries: Absolute must-haves for the beautiful sugared garnish. These provide that iconic festive color and a lovely tart contrast to the sweetness of the sugar coating. I always recommend stocking up on fresh cranberries during the holiday season and freezing extra bags. They freeze beautifully and you don’t even need to thaw them ahead of time for making sugared cranberries!
- Granulated Sugar: This humble ingredient plays a dual role in our recipe. It’s used to create a simple syrup for coating the fresh cranberries, allowing the sugar to adhere properly, and then again for rolling the coated cranberries to achieve that magical, sparkling “snow-kissed” effect.
See the full recipe card below for exact quantities and detailed instructions.
Creative Substitutions for Your Cranberry Mimosa
Whether you’re looking to skip the alcohol, prefer a different type of bubbly, or simply want to experiment with flavors, here are some fantastic options to customize your sugared cranberry mimosa experience:
- Ginger Ale: If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic or low-alcohol alternative to champagne, ginger ale is an excellent choice. The spicy warmth of ginger beautifully complements the tartness of cranberries, enhancing the bright, festive notes of the fruit. Its effervescence perfectly mimics the fizz of champagne, making it a delightful mocktail option.
- Club Soda or Seltzer: For a less sweet and alcohol-free bubbly, plain club soda or seltzer works wonderfully. This option allows the cranberry juice to shine through. You can add a splash of the leftover cranberry simple syrup (from making the sugared cranberries) to sweeten it slightly, or even a dash of orange bitters for more complex flavor.
- Prosecco, Cava, Vino Verde, or Other Sparkling Wine: Don’t feel limited to traditional champagne. Many other sparkling wines offer fantastic taste at a more affordable price point. Prosecco (Italian), Cava (Spanish), or even a dry Rosé sparkling wine can bring different fruity or floral notes that pair exceptionally well with cranberry. Choose your favorite bottle of bubbly alcohol – no one’s watching, and it’s all about personal enjoyment!
- Skip the Bubbles Entirely: For the youngest guests or those who prefer no carbonation, simply serving chilled cranberry juice in a fancy glass with the beautiful sugared cranberry garnish is absolutely perfect. It ensures everyone can be included in the festivities, enjoying a sophisticated-looking drink that’s both delicious and appropriate for all ages.
- Alternative Juices: While cranberry is the star, don’t hesitate to experiment with other festive juices. Pomegranate juice offers a similar tart-sweet profile with a deeper color, while grapefruit juice provides a zesty, slightly bitter contrast that can be surprisingly refreshing.
Essential Equipment for Crafting Your Mimosa
You’ll be delighted to know that creating this impressive sugared cranberry Christmas mimosa requires only a few basic items. Most you likely already have on hand, or they are easily acquired.
- Champagne Flutes or Tall Glass Tumblers: While classic champagne flutes (whether traditional flute, elegant coupe, or modern tulip style) are ideal for showcasing the bubbles and the stunning color of the mimosa, don’t stress if you don’t own them. Tall glass tumblers or even wine glasses can serve as perfectly charming alternatives. If you’re hosting a large gathering or want a worry-free option, readily available plastic varieties can be found in stores and online.
- Small Saucepan: For preparing the simple syrup that will coat your cranberries. Any small saucepan will do the trick.
- Slotted Spoon: Essential for carefully removing the coated cranberries from the syrup without bringing too much liquid with them.
- Baking Sheet and Parchment Paper (or Aluminum Foil): You’ll need these to lay out your sugared cranberries to dry. Parchment paper or foil prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Cocktail Picks or Toothpicks: These are crucial for threading your beautiful sugared cranberries to create that elegant garnish. Metal cocktail picks offer a more refined look and are reusable, but simple wooden toothpicks work just as well and are easily disposable. Aim to thread 3-4 cranberries per pick, depending on their size, to create a striking visual impact.
Storage Tips for Prepping Ahead
While mimosas are best assembled right before serving to preserve their delightful fizz, you can prepare the beautiful sugared cranberries ahead of time. Store them in a covered, airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For the freshest and most vibrant sparkle, however, they are always best served the day they are made. Ensure your champagne and cranberry juice are thoroughly chilled for at least 4 hours before serving to create the most refreshing cocktail.
💡Top Tip for Maximum Flavor and Zero Waste
Don’t discard that delicious simple syrup after you’ve removed the cranberries from the saucepan! This flavorful cranberry-infused syrup is a versatile treasure. It makes a wonderful addition to other cocktails, creates a fantastic mocktail base when mixed with sparkling water, or can even be drizzled over ice cream, pancakes, waffles, or yogurt for a touch of festive sweetness!
Frequently Asked Questions About Mimosas
The ratio of champagne to juice in a mimosa is a matter of personal preference, but generally, a good starting point is to fill your flutes about ⅔ to halfway with champagne (or your chosen sparkling wine) and then top off the remaining portion with your chilled cranberry juice. This typically offers a balanced flavor while allowing the bubbly nature of the drink to shine through. Adjust to your taste!
Planning for a party? A standard 750ml bottle of champagne or sparkling wine will typically yield about 6-8 mimosas. This calculation can vary slightly depending on the size of your glasses and, as mentioned, your preferred ratio of juice to alcohol. To be safe when entertaining, it’s always a good idea to have an extra bottle or two on hand, especially for larger gatherings or if your guests enjoy a more generous pour.
While you can prepare the sugared cranberries up to two days in advance and ensure your champagne and juice are perfectly chilled, it’s highly recommended to assemble the mimosas just before serving. Mixing them too far in advance will cause the sparkling wine to lose its effervescence, resulting in a flat drink. Keep all components separate and combine them right before your guests arrive or when ready to serve for the best experience.
More Delicious Christmas Recipes
Ho ho ho! Looking for more festive treats to complement your holiday celebrations? You’ve come to the right place!
- Christmas Eggnog Ice Cream
- Italian Bread Pudding with Panettone
- Cranberry Gingerbread Loaf
- Easy Spiced Eggnog Waffles
Did you make this delightful recipe? We would absolutely love to hear about your experience! Please take a moment to leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating with a comment right below the recipe card to share your feedback. If you snap a gorgeous photo of your creation, don’t forget to tag us on Instagram @brunchandbatter. Your festive sips could be featured!
📖Recipe
Sugared Cranberry Christmas Mimosa
Pin Recipe
Equipment
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cocktail picks or toothpicks
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champagne flutes or tall glass tumblers
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small saucepan
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slotted spoon
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baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil
Ingredients
- 1 750 ml bottle chilled champagne, Prosecco, or other sparkling wine
- 2 cups (16 ounces) chilled cranberry juice not from concentrate, for best flavor
- 1 cup (8 ounces) fresh cranberries
- 1 cup (8 ounces) white granulated sugar, divided
Instructions
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For the best results, ensure both your cranberry juice and sparkling wine/champagne are thoroughly chilled for at least 4 hours in advance of serving. This is key for a refreshing mimosa.
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To make the sugared cranberries, combine ½ cup of water and ½ cup of the granulated sugar in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 3-5 minutes until the sugar is completely dissolved and you have a clear simple syrup.1 cup (8 ounces) white granulated sugar, divided
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Reduce the heat to low. Add the fresh cranberries to the saucepan and gently stir to ensure they are thoroughly coated in the warm sugar syrup. Let them stand in the syrup for 1-2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove the cranberries and spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Allow them to dry at room temperature for approximately 50-60 minutes. It’s important that they are not touching each other during this drying phase to prevent clumping.1 cup (8 ounces) fresh cranberries
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Once the cranberries have dried sufficiently (they will still be slightly sticky), gently toss them in the remaining ½ cup of granulated sugar. The sugar will adhere beautifully, creating a sparkling, frosted effect. Separate them as needed. Now, thread 3-4 sugared cranberries onto each toothpick or cocktail pick, depending on their size, to create elegant garnishes. Set these aside until ready to serve.1 cup (8 ounces) white granulated sugar, divided
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To assemble your mimosas, fill each champagne flute halfway or up to ⅔ with your chilled champagne or sparkling wine. Then, carefully fill the remainder of the glass with the chilled cranberry juice. For an extra festive touch, you can drop a few unsugared fresh cranberries into the bottom of the glass before pouring the champagne. Finally, garnish each mimosa by resting a sugared cranberry pick over the rim of the glass. Cheers to a sparkling holiday!1 750 ml bottle champagne, or sparkling wine such as Prosecco, 2 cups (16 ounces) cranberry juice
Nutrition*
*Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. Nutrition information can vary depending on many factors, such as products used, measurements and substitutions, therefore it is recommended that you obtain nutritional calculations based on your own finished recipe.