Cranberry Mimosa

With its ruby red color, tart fruitiness, and bubbly finish, a cranberry mimosa is the most festive Christmas cocktail for brunch and beyond! The Pioneer Woman's cranberry mimosa isn't just a splash of cranberry juice and a glug of champagne, though. This easy brunch cocktail starts with a blend of juices: 100% cranberry and pineapple orange juices get topped off with sparkling wine, then garnished with a sprig of mint, frozen cranberries, and a pretty orange twist. Add it to your holiday mimosa bar for the brightest start to any Christmas brunch or start the holiday season early as your signature Thanksgiving cocktail.

Can you make cranberry mimosas ahead of time?

You can certainly combine the cranberry and pineapple orange juices a few hours ahead and store the mixture in the fridge, but wait until it's time to serve to add the champagne so it doesn't lose its fizz. Mixing up the juices ahead of time is especially helpful when making these as a batch cocktail for a Christmas party! You can also prep the orange twists hours ahead of time and store them in an airtight container in the fridge.

What is the best alcohol for mimosas?

Sparkling wine is an essential ingredient to a mimosa and there are plenty of great options out there! Any of the best champagne for mimosas is a wonderful addition, but prosecco or cava are delicious options (that are oftentimes more cost-effective). Depending on your taste, shop for either a dry or slightly sweet sparkling wine.  

Is there a difference between cranberry juice and cranberry juice cocktail?

A bottle of 100% cranberry juice is as the label says: all juice with no other additives like sugar or other fruit juices. Depending on the brand, cranberry juice cocktail is often sweetened or diluted with water or other fruit juice concentrates, like apple. For this recipe, we recommend using 100% cranberry juice. 

What is the best way to garnish a cranberry mimosa?

A garnish can make a drink feel festive, but doesn't need to be fussy. For a simple, Christmas-themed garnish, drop a couple of frozen cranberries into the cocktail (this also helps to keep it cold while you sip) and garnish with a sprig of rosemary. In this recipe, we play up the pineapple-orange flavors with an orange twist and add a sprig of mint for a burst of freshness.