The Perfect Cranberry Mimosa Recipe for Brunch or Holidays

Looking for a fun, festive drink to elevate your brunch or holiday gathering? Cranberry Mimosas are the perfect choice!

With a handful of simple ingredients, you can whip up a cocktail that’s as gorgeous as it is delicious. The blend of tangy cranberry juice, citrusy orange liqueur, and bubbly champagne delivers a crisp, fruity flavor that’s hard to resist.

These vibrant mimosas not only taste amazing but also add a pop of color to your table. Plus, they’re quick to prepare and easy to customize with garnishes like orange slices, mint leaves, or cranberries for a festive flair.

Whether it's a brunch sip with friends, a Christmas Mimosa or Poinsettia Cocktail for holiday cheer, or a red drink for Valentine’s Day, it's sure to be a hit.

Here's What You'll Need

To make a refreshing cranberry mimosa, you’ll need just a few ingredients.

• Cranberry juice:  This juice gives your drink it’s tart and tangy flavor. For the best taste, use 100% cranberry juice.
• Orange liqueur:  A splash of Grand Marnier, Cointreau, or triple sec adds a sweet citrus kick.
• Champagne:  Any champagne or sparkling wine you love works perfectly, bringing that signature sparkle. No need to break the bank - choose a mid-range bottle.
• Simple syrup (optional):  If your cranberry juice isn’t sweetened, you may want to add a touch of simple syrup to balance the tartness.
  

Pro tip: Make sure everything is chilled before you start for the ultimate refreshing sip.

Bar Equipment

To make a Cranberry Mimosa at home, you'll need a few basic items:

• Champagne flutes: These help keep the carbonation bubbly and add a touch of elegance. I like these stemless flutes that can go in the dishwasher.
• Bar spoon: A long-handle cocktail spoon mixes the ingredients gently in a tall flute.
• Champagne stopper: Creates a bubble-tight seal to keep your champagne fresh if you don’t use the whole bottle.
• Measuring glass or jigger: Useful for measuring ounces to ensure the right balance between sparkling wine, cranberry juice and orange liqueur.

Instructions

Mixing a cranberry mimosa is simple. Here’s how to make it.

Step 1: Prepare the Glass

For a fun twist, you can rim the glass with sugar. Just rub the rim with a citrus wedge then roll the rim in a shallow dish of sugar until coated evenly. This adds a sweet touch to each sip.

Pro tip: For a festive vibe, try colored sanding sugar—think red or green for the holidays—or different color candy rims for other occasions.

Step 2: Mix the Drink

Pour the cranberry juice and orange liqueur into the glass and stir gently with a cocktail spoon to mix. Then pour in the champagne to top off the glass.

Step 3: Serve It Up

Garnish your mimosa with a slice of orange for sweetness and to bring out the orange flavor in the drink. You can also place a few frozen cranberries in each flute to keep the drink cold. 

Serve immediately for the best bubbles and freshness. Pair these mimosas with easy appetizers like baked brie with pepper jelly or puff pastry pinwheels. They also go well with breakfast casseroles for brunch. 

Fun Variations

Get ready to spice up your cranberry mimosa with fun twists! Here are some simple ideas to try if you're feeling adventurous.

Add a splash of juice: Add a splash of orange juice, pineapple juice or apple cider for a seasonal fruity twist. These juices pair well with cranberry and add a different flavor to your drink.

Swap the liqueur: Adding a splash of a different flavored liqueur, like apple brandy or Chambord raspberry liqueur makes a fun flavor change.

Garnish creatively:  Try sugared cranberries and rosemary sprigs for a holiday cocktail or raspberries and fresh mint leaves for a spring drink. Frozen blueberries and sliced star fruit make a festive red, white, and blue version.

Switch up the bubbly: While champagne is classic, you can use other sparkling wines like Prosecco or Cava. Or use club soda or flavored seltzer for a mocktail.

Make a pitcher of mimosas: Want to serve a crowd? Mix cranberry juice, orange liqueur, and champagne in a pitcher. Stir gently, pour into glasses, garnish, and serve right away.

Experiment and find your new favorite cranberry mimosa!

More Champagne Cocktail Recipes

When you're ready to try other champagne cocktails, there's a whole world of flavors waiting for you.

A French 76 is a refreshing mix of champagne, vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup.

Try a Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail. Perfect for winter celebrations.

You might also like an Apple Cider Mimosa a cozy fall twist on the classic. 

Try a Grinch Mimosa for a playful option for Christmas.

No matter the occasion, there’s a champagne cocktail waiting to add a little sparkle to your celebrations. Cheers!