When those festive holidays roll around, especially around Christmas morning, there’s just something about wanting a drink that feels special, you know? But let’s be real most of us are juggling a million things, and a complicated cocktail is the last thing we need. That’s exactly why I fell in love with the Cranberry Mimosa. It’s this gorgeous, bubbly drink that looks like a million bucks but takes, like, five minutes to whip up. I first made it years ago for a little Christmas brunch in Boston, hoping for something bright and festive that wouldn’t weigh us down before a day of celebrating. Just a splash of cran, a hint of orange, and the pop of champagne – it felt like capturing little holiday twinkles in a glass. As a dietitian, I love that it offers a lovely balance of flavors without being overly sweet, reminding us that celebrating can be both joyful and mindful.
Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Mimosa
Seriously, this Cranberry Mimosa is a total winner for so many reasons:
- So darn Easy: We’re talking five minutes, tops. Perfect for when you’ve got a whole Christmas breakfast spread to manage!
- Looks Gorgeous: That jewel-toned cranberry color with the bubbly sparkle? It just screams holiday cheer and looks amazing on any festive table.
- Super Refreshing: It’s light and not too sweet, with that lovely balance of tart cranberry and a hint of orange. It cuts through rich brunch foods beautifully.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Christmas morning, New Year’s Day, a winter birthday… or honestly, any time you just need a little sparkle in your day!
Gather Your Ingredients for the Perfect Cranberry Mimosa
Alright, let’s get our festive glasses ready! Making the perfect Cranberry Mimosa is all about having the right goodies on hand. You don’t need much, which is what makes this drink so wonderfully simple. Trust me, having everything chilled makes a world of difference.
- Sparkling Wine or Champagne: About 3 oz per glass. I love using a dry Moscato or even a Prosecco, but use whatever you like best! Make sure it’s super cold.
- Cranberry Juice: 2 oz per glass. 100% pure cranberry juice is best for that vibrant flavor, but a good quality cranberry cocktail works too if you prefer it a bit sweeter.
- Orange Liqueur: Just 1 oz needed. Something like Cointreau or Triple Sec adds a lovely depth.
- For the Rim: A slice of orange and some granulated sugar. This little touch just elevates the whole drink!
- Garnish (Optional, but lovely!): A sprig of fresh rosemary and a few fresh or sugared cranberries look so pretty.
Easy Steps to Make Your Cranberry Mimosa
Making this beautiful Cranberry Mimosa is so straightforward, it’s almost ridiculous! You’ll be sipping on this bubbly goodness before you even finish setting out the breakfast pastries. Honestly, the hardest part is waiting for the champagne to chill!
Prepare Your Glassware
First things first, let’s make those glasses look extra special! Grab a champagne flute and run an orange slice all around the rim. Then, gently dip that rim onto a little plate piled with granulated sugar. You’ll get this lovely, sparkly coating that just adds that extra touch of holiday magic.
Combine the Base Flavors
Now, into your pretty sugared flute, pour in your 2 oz of cranberry juice. Then, add that 1 oz of orange liqueur. This is where all the main flavor comes from, so don’t skip it! Fill the glass about halfway – it’s the perfect foundation for our bubbles.
Top with Sparkling Wine
This is the moment! Slowly top off the rest of your flute with your super-chilled sparkling wine or champagne. Just give it a tiny, gentle stir with a long spoon – you don’t want to stir out all those lovely bubbles! We want it to be fizzy and festive.
Garnish and Serve
Almost done! For that final flourish, add a little sprig of fresh rosemary and a couple of fresh or sugared cranberries right into the glass. It looks so pretty and adds a subtle aroma. Serve these beauties up right away while they’re perfectly chilled and bubbly!
Tips for the Best Cranberry Mimosa
Okay, so you’ve got the basic steps down, but let me tell you, a few little tricks can take your Cranberry Mimosa from good to absolutely *stellar*. It’s all about those small details that just make a drink sing, especially when you’re serving it for something special like a Christmas morning brunch.
Ingredient Quality Matters
You know, it really does make a difference! For your sparkling wine, a dry Moscato or Prosecco really lets the cranberry and orange shine through without adding too much sweetness. And try to grab 100% pure cranberry juice if you can – it gives you that gorgeous, deep red color and a brighter, tarter flavor that’s just perfect. Don’t get me wrong, a cranberry cocktail works in a pinch, but the pure stuff is where it’s at for that restaurant-quality taste.
Chill Everything Thoroughly
This is non-negotiable, my friends! Make sure your sparkling wine, your cranberry juice, *and* your orange liqueur are all well-chilled before you even think about starting. A warm mimosa is just… sad. Keeping everything super cold means your drink stays bubbly and refreshing longer, and honestly, it just tastes way better when it’s ice-cold on a breakfast table.
Scaling for a Crowd
Hosting a big holiday bash? No worries! This recipe is super easy to scale up. Just multiply all the ingredients by the number of glasses you need. I usually mix up the cranberry juice and orange liqueur in a pitcher ahead of time and keep it in the fridge. Then, right before serving, I pour that into the glasses and let everyone top off their own with chilled bubbly. It makes serving a breeze and keeps the fizz happy!
Cranberry Mimosa Variations
While this Cranberry Mimosa is pretty perfect as is, sometimes it’s fun to play around! You can totally switch things up to make it your own. Maybe try a splash of pomegranate juice along with the cranberry for an extra layer of fruity goodness, or swap the orange liqueur for a bit of raspberry liqueur if you’re feeling adventurous. For a non-alcoholic version, just use really good quality sparkling cranberry juice mixed with a little orange juice instead of the liqueur and bubbly. And don’t forget fun garnishes! A cinnamon stick can add a cozy autumn vibe, or a few fresh mint leaves can add a pop of green.
Holiday Breakfast and Brunch Pairing Ideas
Now that you’ve got this gorgeous Cranberry Mimosa ready to go, you’re probably thinking, “What deliciousness should I serve *with* it?” Honestly, this bubbly beauty pairs wonderfully with so many things, especially for those special Christmas morning brunch occasions! It’s light enough not to overwhelm your palate, but festive enough to make your spread feel extra special.
For something sweet, classic fluffy pancakes or waffles are always a hit. If you’re doing a make-ahead Christmas breakfast, a baked French toast casserole or some overnight cinnamon rolls would be fantastic. For something a bit more savory, consider mini frittatas packed with veggies or even some lean chicken sausages – great for a healthy Christmas breakfast option! Check out some of our chicken recipes for inspiration there, or maybe some healthy chicken ideas. And if you’re looking for easy Christmas brunch ideas that impress, a simple fruit salad with a dollop of Greek yogurt or a beautiful charcuterie board with some festive cheeses really rounds out the meal. It’s all about balancing those rich flavors with something bright and refreshing, and this mimosa does just that! For even more options, explore our full range of healthy chicken recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cranberry Mimosas
Got questions about making these bubbly delights for your next holiday brunch? I’ve got you covered!
Can I make a non-alcoholic Cranberry Mimosa?
Absolutely! To make a virgin Cranberry Mimosa, skip the orange liqueur and sparkling wine. Just use a good quality sparkling cranberry juice or mix 100% cranberry juice with sparkling white grape juice or even a splash of ginger ale. It’s just as festive and delicious!
What kind of cranberry juice is best?
For the most vibrant flavor and gorgeous color in your Cranberry Mimosa, I really recommend using 100% pure cranberry juice. It has that lovely tartness that balances the sweetness of the bubbly. If you prefer something a bit sweeter, a good quality cranberry juice cocktail will work, but you might want to adjust the orange liqueur slightly.
Can I prepare the Cranberry Mimosa ahead of time?
You can definitely prep the non-alcoholic “base” of your Cranberry Mimosa ahead of time! Mix your cranberry juice and orange liqueur in a pitcher and keep it chilled in the fridge. Then, right before you’re ready to serve, just pour that mixture into your prepared glasses and top them off with the super-cold sparkling wine. This way, your bubbles stay perfectly fizzy!
Nutritional Information
Just a little heads-up: the nutritional info for this Cranberry Mimosa is an estimate, since brands and exact ingredient amounts can change things up a bit. But generally, one serving (about 6 oz) comes in around 250 calories, with roughly 28g of carbohydrates and 25g of sugar. It’s pretty much fat-free, so that’s a bonus!
Share Your Festive Creations!
Now that you’ve got the recipe for the perfect Cranberry Mimosa, I’d absolutely LOVE to hear about your holiday brunch adventures! Did you make them for Christmas morning? Did your guests rave about them? Drop a comment below and let me know how they turned out, or even give the recipe a star rating! And if you snap any gorgeous photos, tag us on social media – seeing your festive creations is the best part! If you have any questions or want to give us a shout-out, feel free to use our contact page. You can also check out our privacy policy for more info!
