Christmas Mimosa Recipe
Christmas Mimosa is the perfect Christmas brunch cocktail! Made with cranberry juice and rosemary, it is not only delicious but also beautiful and festive. A great way to celebrate the holiday season!
We love fun breakfast cocktails like this mimosa, our Hibiscus Champagne Cocktail and our popular Chocolate Martini.
The perfect mimosa for Christmas morning!
Santa came through, the kids are playing with their gifts and the living room looks like a craft store exploded.
Where’s mommy? Sipping her Christmas mimosa, of course! Because she definitely earned it.
And if you think that this momma wakes up early to make her mimosas, think again. I make everything ahead: the simple syrup and the sugared cranberries.
All that is left to do in the morning is combine everything, take a sip and celebrate the fact that the Elf in a Shelf went back to the North Pole.
Oh, I’ll definitely drink to that! Cheers!
What do I need to make Christmas Mimosa?
These are the ingredients for this Christmas Mimosa recipe:
- Champagne
- Orange Liqueur
- Simple Syrup (optional)
- Cranberry Juice
- Fresh Rosemary
- Sugared Cranberries
What’s the best champagne for mimosas?
There are two schools of thought when it come to champagne and mimosas.
Some people strongly believe that you should use the cheap stuff when making this cocktail, because the juice (and in our case, splash of liqueur) will mask the flavor of the sparkling wine.
Others, myself included, think that life is too short to drink cheap wine.
So, if you can afford it, treat yourself! Some good bubbly with a splash of juice and liqueur really helps you start the day on the right foot.
And even though mimosas are traditionally made with champagne, Prosecco and Cava are also great in this cocktail!
Sugared Cranberries Ingredients
All you need to make sugared cranberries are cranberries, sugar and water.
And if you’re anything like me, you probably have a forgotten cranberry bag from Thanksgiving that is still good and will be great for this recipe!
How to make Sugared Cranberries
Making sugared cranberries is very easy.
- Make the simple syrup: Combine the water and sugar in a saucepan. Simmer, over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves. Do not boil!
- Bathe the cranberries in the simple syrup: Remove the pan from heat and add the cranberries, stirring so they all get coated in the syrup.
Let the cranberries dry: Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cranberries to a parchment paper lined baking sheet, arranging them in a single layer so they don’t stick together.
Reserve the syrup for later. - Roll the cranberries in sugar until they are completely coated. Let them dry again before using.
Can I make sugared cranberries ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, I recommend you make them up to 3 days ahead and store in an airtight container in the fridge, so you don’t have to worry about that on Christmas morning.
How to make Christmas Mimosa
Put the cocktail shaker away! There is no need to invoke your inner mixologist to make a mimosa.
The only thing that is important to remember is to have your ingredients chilled before you make the mimosas. A good mimosa is a cold mimosa!
Recommended tools: Champagne flute and cocktail garnish picks.
This is how you make a Christmas mimosa:
- Add the juice, liqueur and the simple syrup (if using) to a champagne flute.
- Insert the rosemary. I find that the rosemary stays put if it’s in the glass before the bubbly goes in. Otherwise the bubbles will keep pushing it out of the flute!
- Top the glass with the sparkling wine.
- Garnish with the sugared cranberries.
If making for a crowd:
If you’re serving mimosas to a lot of guests, it can be tiresome making one by one.
You can make a huge batch in a pitcher or punch bowl. Just premix the juice, liqueur, simple syrup (if using) and rosemary, and keep refrigerated until your guests arrive.
Then, once it’s time to party, pour the cold bubbly, garnish with the cranberries and serve. That way you don’t lose the carbonation!
Do I need to add simple syrup to Christmas Mimosa?
No, you don’t! It will depend on how sweet you like your drinks.
I buy a pretty tart cranberry juice, and I often use dry champagne, so I find that the orange liqueur alone is not enough to please my palate.
My husband, on the other hand, don’t like sweet drinks. So sometimes even the Grand Marnier is pushing and he will pucker his lips and complain that he’ll have a sugar rush.
So, if you like sweet drinks, add the syrup. If you don’t, don’t. Simple (syrup) like that! :-P
Are mimosas for the morning?
Mimosas are for when your heart desires them!
Morning, afternoon, night cap. Make a Christmas mimosa in April if you want! Whatever makes you happy!
Did you make this recipe? I love hearing from you! Please comment and leave a 5-star rating below. You can also take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #oliviascuisine.
Christmas Mimosa Recipe
Ingredients
Christmas Mimosa:
- 2 ounces (about ¼ cup) cranberry juice, cold
- 1 tablespoon orange liqueur (such as Grand Marnier), cold
- 1 tablespoon simple syrup, cold (optional)
- 2 ounces (about ¼ cup) chilled sparkling wine
- Rosemary sprigs to garnish
- Sugared cranberries to garnish
Sugared cranberries (makes enough for several mimosas):
- 2 cups granulated sugar, divided
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
Equipment
Instructions
Make the sugared cranberries:
- Combine 1 cup sugar and the water in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved.
- Stir the cranberries and stir so they are all evenly coated.
- Remove the cranberries with a slotted spoon and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, making sure they are not sticking together. Let it dry for one hour.
- Roll the cranberries in the remaining sugar, until they are all coated. Let them dry again for another hour. You can make them up to 3 days ahead.
Make the Christmas Mimosa:
- Combine the cranberry juice, orange liqueur and simple syrup (if using) in a tall champagne flute.
- Add the rosemary sprig.
- Pour the champagne and give it a gentle stir.
- Garnish with the sugared cranberries and serve!
Notes
Making Christmas mimosas for a crowd:
If you want to use a whole bottle of champagne to make mimosas, here are the ingredients:- 25 ounces (about 3 1/4 cups) cranberry juice
- 3/4 cup orange liqueur
- 3/4 cup simple syrup (optional)
- 1 bottle (750 ml) chilled sparkling wine
- Rosemary sprigs to garnish
- Sugared cranberries to garnish
