Bring a little sparkle to your holiday table with a Poinsettia Cocktail — a festive cranberry champagne drink brightened by orange liqueur and finished with a sugared orange twist, fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary. These elegant cocktails are quick to make, easy to scale for a crowd, and perfect for Christmas gatherings, brunches, or New Year’s Eve.
I’m a big fan of sparkling wine — it instantly lifts any celebration. This Poinsettia Cocktail adds color, bright cranberry flavor and a hint of orange that tastefully balances the bubbles. The recipe uses just a few ingredients: pure cranberry juice, Cointreau (or another orange liqueur) and your choice of champagne or prosecco. No shaker required — everything goes straight into a chilled flute.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Crisp, naturally fruity and lightly sweet — a refreshing holiday cocktail.
- Bubbly and festive, ideal for Christmas parties, brunch or ringing in the new year.
- Eye-catching garnishes make each glass feel special with very little effort.
- Only a few simple ingredients and easy to scale for entertaining.
Recipe ingredients
These Poinsettia Cocktails are flexible. Use what you prefer — champagne for a drier, more classic drink, or prosecco for a fruitier, slightly sweeter finish.
- Champagne or prosecco: Champagne brings higher acidity and a drier profile; prosecco is fruitier and a bit sweeter. Choose based on your taste preference.
- Pure cranberry juice: Use 100% cranberry juice for bright flavor and color. If you prefer it sweeter, a sweetened cranberry juice or cranberry cocktail will work.
- Cointreau: Adds clean orange notes. Triple sec or Grand Marnier are good substitutes.
- Orange twist: Releases citrus oils when twisted over the glass; it’s a simple way to add aroma and a polished look.
- Fresh cranberries and rosemary: Optional but highly recommended as festive garnishes. Frozen cranberries double as decorative “ice” to keep drinks cold.
How to make this Christmas champagne cocktail
This is one of the easiest holiday cocktails to make. Combine the cranberry juice and Cointreau ahead of time and refrigerate; add the sparkling wine just before serving so the bubbles stay lively. The brief instructions below explain how to prepare individual glasses and how to create a simple orange twist garnish.
Prepare the cocktail
How to make an orange twist garnish
An orange twist is optional but adds aroma and a refined finish. Remove a thin strip of peel with minimal white pith, trim into an even strip if desired, then hold the peel over the glass and twist firmly to release the citrus oils. Hook it on the rim or drop it into the drink.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. Mix the cranberry juice and Cointreau in advance and refrigerate. Add champagne or prosecco just before serving to preserve the effervescence. This is especially useful when making large batches for guests.
Which bubbly should I use?
Both champagne and prosecco work. Champagne lends a drier, more elegant finish with higher acidity, while prosecco is fruitier and slightly sweeter. Choose based on whether you prefer a crisp or a softer, fruit-forward drink.
How can I make the cocktail less sweet?
Use extra-brut champagne and 100% unsweetened cranberry juice, or reduce the cranberry juice amount to taste.
Can I substitute pomegranate juice?
Yes — pomegranate juice makes a lovely substitute and pairs well with pomegranate arils and rosemary as garnishes.
Serving suggestions
- Chill both the sparkling wine and the glassware for the best presentation and longest-lasting bubbles.
- Use frozen cranberries as decorative “ice” that won’t water down the drink.
- Twist the orange peel just before serving to capture the aromatic oils.
- Gently bruise a rosemary sprig before adding it as a garnish to release its fragrance.
- Serve alongside savory brunch dishes or light holiday bites for a festive spread.
Recipe notes
- Champagne yields a drier, crisper cocktail; prosecco offers a fruitier, slightly sweeter profile.
- 100% pure cranberry juice offers the most natural cranberry flavor. For extra sweetness, use a sweetened cranberry blend.
- To serve many guests, mix the cranberry juice and orange liqueur in a pitcher and refrigerate. Add the sparkling wine right before serving to keep the fizz.
- Frozen cranberries are a practical and pretty garnish; candied or sugared cranberries elevate the look further.
More cocktail recipes you’ll love
- Cranberry sangria
- Easy piña colada
- Strawberry lemon drop
- Simple vodka spritzers
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Poinsettia Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces pure cranberry juice
- 1/2 ounce Cointreau (or triple sec, Grand Marnier)
- 4 ounces champagne or prosecco
- Orange twist, for garnish (optional)
- Fresh cranberries, for garnish (optional)
- Rosemary sprig, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Pour the cranberry juice and Cointreau into a chilled champagne flute. Stir gently to combine. (To make multiple servings, mix the cranberry juice and Cointreau in a pitcher and refrigerate.)
- Top with chilled champagne or prosecco. Add garnishes: a few cranberries, a rosemary sprig, and an orange twist. Serve immediately.
Prepare the orange twist (optional)
- Use a vegetable peeler or sharp paring knife to remove a thin strip of orange peel, avoiding the white pith.
- Trim the peel for a tidy look if desired.
- Hold the peel over the glass and twist firmly to release citrus oils, then hook it on the rim or drop it into the drink.
Notes
- The choice of sparkling wine affects sweetness and acidity: champagne = crisper, prosecco = fruitier.
- Use unsweetened cranberry juice for a bright, tart profile; switch to sweetened juice if you prefer more sweetness.
- Mix cranberry juice and Cointreau ahead for easy batch service; add bubbly right before serving.
- Frozen cranberries make attractive, functional garnish “ice.”
Nutrition
Serving: 1 cocktail — Calories: approximately 126 kcal; Carbohydrates: about 11 g; Protein: 0.3 g; Fat: 0.1 g. Nutrition is estimated and provided for guidance only.
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