Sparkling Cranberry Christmas Cocktail with Vodka
Christmas is my favorite holiday and nothing says Merry Christmas like boozy cranberry cocktails! This simple cocktail is the perfect way to get you in the holiday spirit with simple ingredients and refreshing flavor. A spin on a traditional Madras and a mimosa, this fun cocktail combines orange juice, cranberry juice, vodka, and sparkling wine for a Madras mimosa. Top it off with some fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary and you have a festive drink for your Christmas party! Full recipe card below 😉
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What is a Mimosa?
A mimosa is an alcoholic beverage usually made with sparkling wine or champagne and a non alcoholic mixer or two, frequently juice.
This recipe combines a traditional mimosa with a cranberry vodka cocktail. A simple drink for your holiday party or even Christmas day brunch! You only need four ingredients to make this festive cocktail and your guests will think you moonlight as a bartender 😉
What is a Madras Cocktail?
A madras is an old school cocktail made popular in the 1940s made from cranberry juice, orange juice, and vodka. I had my very first Madras years ago at my cousins wedding and when I was thinking about Christmas cocktails this year I thought this would be the perfect fit with a splash of sparkling wine.
Ingredient List
This is an easy recipe with simple ingredients to make a delicious Christmas cocktail. Here are my notes for you 😉
Cranberry Juice – One of the main flavors in this cocktail is cranberry juice which provides the red color in this cocktail. I used diet cranberry for less sugar, but any version will do. Single serve juice six packs are a great way to make cocktails. I prefer to buy these packs unless I plan to make a large batch cocktail. This way I don’t have to drink two gallons of juice before they go bad. I simply open a single bottle which makes a few cocktails.
Orange Juice – While any brand of OJ will do, I don’t recommend Sunny Delight since it’s not really orange juice. I also prefer to make this with pulp free juice but that is up to you. Just know the texture will be a bit different if you use orange juice with pulp.
Sparkling Wine – Champagne or sparkling wine is what turns this Madras recipe into a mimosa with a bit of fizz and bubbles. If you would like a less boozy version you can use sparkling grape juice or a splash of ginger ale or even ginger beer. I used dry sparkling wine but you can use a spumante if you prefer a sweeter taste.
Vodka – Any brand of vodka will work. I had Tito’s on hand, but it doesn’t need to be anything fancy. If you have orange flavored vodka, that would be very good in this recipe for added orange flavors.
Mixing – I did not use my cocktail shaker for this since it has carbonated sparkling wine. If you have ever made this mistake, you know. It will explode. I simply added each ingredient to a glass and stirred.
Ice – Because this cocktail is a play on a mimosa, it is best served chilled. I usually refrigerate my ingredients prior to mixing but you can also add ice cubes. When I make cocktails with ice I like to use large ice molds or spheres because they don’t melt as fast and water down your drink. You could also freeze the cranberries in advance if you have time.
Fancy glasses – I used my grandmas old fashioned champagne flutes because they feel fancy and remind me of her, but a rocks glass, a stemless wine glass, or even a vintage martini glass would be a great serving option.
Garnish – You can garnish this cocktail with fresh cranberries, a sprig of rosemary, or even an orange slice. If you like a little extra tartness, you can garnish with a slice of lime. If you are feeling extra sweet, you can rim the glass with sugar.
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Sparkling Cranberry Christmas Cocktail with Vodka
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 1x
Description
Easy Christmas cranberry mimosa with orange juice and vodka. This simple cranberry juice cocktail is refreshing with a little fizz. A play on a old classic Madras cocktail, the combination of cranberry juice and orange juice makes it a little tart and a little sweet for the perfect combo.
Ingredients
- 4 oz Cranberry Juice
- 2 oz Orange Juice
- 2 oz Vodka
- 2 oz Sparkling White Wine or Champagne
- Fresh Cranberries (for garnish)
- Rosemary Sprigs (for garnish)
Instructions
- Combine the first four ingredients in a glass a stir.
- Serve over ice or in a chilled glass.
- Garnish with fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Cuisine: American
I often make this as a holiday drink, but it is quite refreshing and can be made in the summer months as well. It’s also a great addition to a brunch menu. Afterall, it does have juice in it 😉
Mocktail Option
Maybe you don’t drink or have kiddos who want to join in the fun. No problem. Just mix the cranberry juice and orange juice with sparkling grape juice or ginger ale and omit the vodka. Garnish with cranberries and a sprig of rosemary.
Cocktail Variations
Feel free to put your own festive twist on this cocktail this holiday season. You can top this Christmas drink with a splash of your favorite citrus like lime juice or lemon juice. You can also make it as a large batch cocktail. Just combine the first three ingredients in a punch bowl or large pitcher and top with the sparkling wine right before serving. For a boozier option top with a splash of Grand Marnier.
When to Serve
Holiday parties or a winter gathering is the perfect time of year to serve this festive holiday cocktail. It’s perfect for New Year’s Eve parties too! With the festive flair of this pretty drink, everyone will feel the holiday cheer.
Looking for more cocktails? Try my apple cider whiskey mimosa, amaretto stone sour with ginger beer, blueberry lemon Moscow mule, or my chocolate dessert martini with Godiva.
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