Bring sparkle to your holiday gatherings with a classic Poinsettia Cocktail. This festive cranberry champagne cocktail blends pure cranberry juice with orange liqueur and bubbly, then finishes with fresh cranberries, a sprig of rosemary and an orange twist. It’s simple to make, visually striking, and easy to scale when you’re entertaining a crowd.
I love using sparkling wine to mark special moments. The bubbles instantly lift an ordinary occasion and make it feel celebratory. The Poinsettia Cocktail adds bright color and seasonal flavor thanks to cranberry and orange notes, and a simple garnish turns each glass into a festive statement.
This version uses only three core ingredients: 100% pure cranberry juice, Cointreau (or another orange liqueur), and champagne or prosecco. No shaker required—everything is poured directly into chilled champagne flutes. The orange twist releases essential oils that brighten the drink’s aroma and flavor, and frozen cranberries make attractive, practical garnish “ice cubes.”
This cocktail suits holiday parties, brunches, and New Year’s Eve gatherings. It’s easy to prepare ahead (mix the cranberry juice and orange liqueur in advance and add bubbly just before serving) and can be multiplied to serve a crowd.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- This cranberry champagne cocktail is naturally crisp, mildly sweet, and refreshing.
- It’s festive in appearance and perfect for Christmas gatherings, brunches, and New Year’s celebrations.
- Elegant garnishes—an orange twist, fresh cranberries and a rosemary sprig—create a showstopping presentation with minimal effort.
- Only a few ingredients are required and the recipe scales easily for parties.
Recipe ingredients
Swap ingredients to suit your preference: use champagne for a drier, more elegant result, or prosecco if you prefer fruitier, slightly sweeter bubbles. Triple sec or Grand Marnier can substitute for Cointreau if needed. For the cranberry component, 100% pure cranberry juice gives the best color and tartness; if you prefer sweeter drinks, choose a sweetened cranberry cocktail.
- Champagne or prosecco – Champagne adds crisp acidity; prosecco is fruitier and a touch sweeter.
- Pure cranberry juice – For bright color and tart flavor. Use sweetened cranberry cocktail if you want more sweetness.
- Cointreau – Clean orange flavor; triple sec or Grand Marnier also work.
- Orange twist – Expressed over the glass for citrus aroma and flavor. Hook on the rim or drop into the cocktail.
- Fresh cranberries & rosemary – Optional, but highly festive. Frozen cranberries work well as decorative “ice cubes.”
How to make this Christmas champagne cocktail
This is one of the simplest holiday cocktails to prepare. Combine cranberry juice and Cointreau in chilled glasses or in a pitcher ahead of time, then add chilled champagne or prosecco at the last moment so the bubbles remain lively. The method is ideal for scaling up when you’re serving many guests.
Pro tip: Champagne will yield a drier, more elegant cocktail due to higher acidity. Prosecco will make the drink fruitier and slightly sweeter—choose based on the flavor profile you prefer.
Prepare the cocktail
How to make an orange twist garnish
An orange twist is optional but worth the extra touch. Use a paring knife or peeler to remove a thin strip of peel, avoiding as much white pith as possible. Trim the edges for a neat look, then hold the peel over the drink and twist it firmly to release the citrus oils. Hook it on the rim or drop it into the glass.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. Mix the cranberry juice and Cointreau ahead of time and refrigerate. Add chilled champagne or prosecco right before serving to preserve the bubbles. This approach is perfect for serving guests efficiently.
What type of bubbly should I use?
Both champagne and prosecco work well but offer different profiles. Champagne is drier with higher acidity and fine bubbles—ideal if you want a crisp, elegant cocktail. Prosecco is fruitier and slightly sweeter with larger bubbles, which makes the drink more approachable.
How can I make the cocktail less sweet?
Choose extra-brut champagne and 100% unsweetened cranberry juice. You can also reduce the amount of cranberry juice used.
Can I use pomegranate juice instead?
Yes—pomegranate juice is an excellent substitute. Garnish with pomegranate arils and rosemary for a similar festive look.
Serving suggestions
- Chill both the sparkling wine and the glassware so the cocktail stays cold longer.
- Frozen cranberries make beautiful and practical garnish “ice cubes.”
- Create an orange twist by removing a thin strip of peel and twisting it over the drink to release oils.
- Gently clap or twist the rosemary sprig before adding it to release aromatic oils.
- Serve with brunch favorites or holiday dishes for an easy and elegant pairing.
Recipe notes
- Use champagne for a classic, less sweet Poinsettia; use prosecco for a fruitier, slightly sweeter version.
- 100% pure cranberry juice provides tartness and color; choose sweetened cranberry cocktail if you prefer more sweetness.
- Mix cranberry juice and Cointreau in advance and refrigerate to make multiple servings quickly—add bubbly at the last minute.
- Frozen cranberries serve as decorative ice and keep the drink chilled without diluting it.
Poinsettia Cocktail Recipe
This crisp, festive cocktail comes together in minutes with only three main ingredients and makes a memorable holiday drink.
Ingredients (per cocktail)
- 2 ounces pure cranberry juice
- 1/2 ounce Cointreau (or triple sec / Grand Marnier)
- 4 ounces chilled champagne or prosecco
- Orange twist, fresh cranberries and rosemary sprig for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Pour 2 ounces pure cranberry juice and 1/2 ounce Cointreau into a chilled champagne flute. Stir gently to combine. For larger batches, mix cranberry juice and Cointreau in a pitcher and chill.
- Top with 4 ounces of chilled champagne or prosecco. Pour gently to preserve bubbles.
- Garnish with an orange twist, a few frozen or fresh cranberries, and a rosemary sprig. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Champagne will make a drier, crisper cocktail; prosecco yields a fruitier, slightly sweeter drink.
- Use unsweetened cranberry juice to keep the cocktail tart; choose sweetened cranberry cocktail if you want it sweeter.
- Prepare the cranberry juice and orange liqueur mix in advance; add bubbly just before serving to preserve effervescence.
Nutrition (approximate per cocktail)
Serving: 1 cocktail — Calories: 126 kcal; Carbohydrates: 11 g; Protein: 0.3 g; Fat: 0.1 g; Sugar: 11 g. Nutrition is an estimate for informational purposes.
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