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Cranberry Mimosa

This vibrant brunch cocktail combines tart fresh cranberries with bubbly sparkling wine, creating a refreshing drink with a beautiful deep red hue. The process involves muddling cranberries to release their juice and flavor, then topping with chilled sparkling wine for a sparkling, slightly chaotic presentation. The final drink is effervescent, visually striking, and perfectly balanced between tartness and sweetness.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 150
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup cranberry juice preferably freshly squeezed or high-quality store-bought
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries or frozen, thawed slightly
  • 1 bottle sparkling wine chilled Prosecco or Cava
  • 1 lemon lemon peel for twists or garnishes
  • 1 teaspoon honey optional, for balancing tartness

Equipment

  • Chilled champagne flutes
  • Small pitcher
  • Strainer
  • Zester or peeler

Method
 

  1. Chill your champagne flutes in the freezer for about 10 minutes to keep the drink cold and bubbly.
  2. Combine the cranberry juice with a handful of fresh cranberries in a small pitcher. Let them sit for 15 minutes to allow the cranberries to release their deep red juice and flavor.
  3. Gently muddle the cranberries with a muddler or the back of a spoon to break them apart slightly and release more flavor, listening for a gentle burst and watching the juice turn vibrant red.
  4. Strain the cranberry mixture through a fine strainer into a bowl or another pitcher, pressing gently to extract all the flavorful juice. Discard or reserve the cranberries for garnish.
  5. Pour the strained cranberry juice into each chilled champagne flute, filling them about two-thirds full.
  6. Slowly top each glass with chilled sparkling wine, pouring gently down the side to preserve the bubbles and create a lively fizz.
  7. Twist a strip of lemon peel over each glass to release essential oils, then add as a garnish along with a few fresh cranberries for a festive look.
  8. Serve immediately to enjoy the crisp, bubbly, and visually stunning cranberry mimosa with a burst of tartness and sparkle.

Notes

Adjust sweetness with honey or simple syrup if desired. For a non-alcoholic version, replace sparkling wine with sparkling water or club soda.