If you’re looking to wow your guests this holiday season with something festive and unforgettable, then you absolutely have to try my Mistletoe Cranberry Champagne Cocktails Recipe. I first made this for a holiday party a few years back, and it instantly became the star of the night — not just because it tastes incredible, but because it’s stunningly beautiful with those sparkling rosemary-berry ice cubes floating on top. Keep reading, and I’ll walk you through every step so you can create this fan-freaking-tastic cocktail yourself!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Elegant Presentation: The cranberry and rosemary ice cubes make every glass look like holiday magic.
- Perfect Holiday Flavor: Tart cranberry, crisp apple juice, and bubbly champagne create a balanced cocktail that’s festive but not too sweet.
- Easy to Prepare Ahead: Make those ice cubes the day before, and your cocktail assembly is a breeze.
- Versatile for All Guests: Easily swap champagne for sparkling apple cider to keep it mocktail-friendly.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the flavors right in this Mistletoe Cranberry Champagne Cocktails Recipe is all about fresh, seasonal ingredients that pair beautifully. Plus, a few simple tricks will take your presentation to the next level.
- Fresh Cranberries: I like choosing bright, firm berries—they add a lovely tart pop and look gorgeous frozen in ice cubes.
- Fresh Rosemary Sprigs: A couple of these add a subtle piney aroma and a festive touch to your drinks.
- Cranberry Juice Cocktail: Use good-quality juice for the best flavor; it’s sweeter and blends nicely with the apple juice.
- Apple Juice: This adds a touch of smooth sweetness that balances the tart cranberries perfectly.
- Champagne: The star sparkle! Make sure it’s nicely chilled to keep your cocktail crisp and refreshing.
- Sparkling Apple Cider (Optional): For a non-alcoholic alternative, sparkling apple cider brings the same bubbly delight.
Variations
I love how versatile the Mistletoe Cranberry Champagne Cocktails Recipe is — feel free to make it your own! Here are a few ways I’ve tweaked it over the years to keep it fresh and exciting.
- Herb Swap: Sometimes I swap rosemary for thyme or mint for a different herbal twist that still feels festive.
- Fruit Flavors: Adding a splash of pomegranate juice along with cranberry juice makes it even more vibrant and flavorful.
- Mocktail Mode: Switching out champagne for sparkling water and apple cider works great for kids or anyone avoiding alcohol.
- Spiced Ice Cubes: A dash of cinnamon or clove infused in the cranberry-apple mixture before freezing adds a cozy holiday note.
How to Make Mistletoe Cranberry Champagne Cocktails Recipe
Step 1: Create Your Festive Ice Cubes
This is the magical part that gives your cocktail the wow factor. Pop about a dozen fresh cranberries into each cavity of an ice cube mold—this not only freezes beautifully but also symbolizes the 12 days of Christmas (which I love!). Pour cranberry juice into each mold until it’s about half full, then top off with apple juice. Just leave a little headspace because liquids expand when freezing. Add a small sprig of fresh rosemary on top of the liquid in each cube. Transfer your mold carefully to the freezer—let it freeze overnight to get those perfect, crystal-clear cubes.
Step 2: Assemble Your Cocktails
When it’s party time, gently pop your mistletoe ice cubes out of the molds and drop 1–2 cubes into each champagne flute. Pour chilled champagne (or sparkling apple cider for a mocktail) slowly over the ice cubes to preserve bubbles. Watch those ice cubes float and sparkle—it’s such a joy to see! Serve immediately and enjoy the bursts of cranberry and rosemary with each sip.
Pro Tips for Making Mistletoe Cranberry Champagne Cocktails Recipe
- Freeze Slowly for Clear Cubes: I learned that freezing the ice cubes overnight slowly helps keep them crystal clear instead of cloudy, making the presentation pop.
- Use Fresh Herbs Close to Serving: Rosemary wilts over time, so I always make my ice cubes no more than 5 days in advance to keep them fresh and fragrant.
- Chill Your Glasses: Putting your champagne flutes in the fridge before serving keeps your cocktail colder longer without watering it down fast.
- Pour Champagne Gently: Pour gently over the side of the glass to keep all those fabulous bubbles alive longer in your Mistletoe Cranberry Champagne Cocktails Recipe.
How to Serve Mistletoe Cranberry Champagne Cocktails Recipe
Garnishes
I usually stick with the beautiful frozen rosemary sprigs and cranberries inside the ice cubes, but if you want to get fancy, a twist of orange peel or an extra fresh rosemary sprig on the rim makes a fantastic presentation. Just remember, less is often more — you want to highlight those gorgeous ice cubes!
Side Dishes
This cocktail pairs wonderfully with light appetizers like savory thyme and goat cheese crostinis, smoked salmon bites, or even a charcuterie board. The tart cranberry and fresh herbal notes help cut through rich flavors perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties, I like setting up a “cocktail bar” area with all ingredients, so guests can customize their drinks. Adding some fairy lights around the glassware and incorporating festive napkins or themed stirrers really makes the whole experience feel extra special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
The ice cubes keep great for about five days in the freezer, which means you can prepare ahead for your big celebration. Just store them in an airtight container or bag to avoid picking up any freezer odors. Since fresh rosemary loses its vibrancy after a few days, I wouldn’t recommend making these much earlier.
Freezing
Freezing is really the star of the show here! Just assemble your ice cubes as instructed and freeze overnight or until solid. I’ve never had an issue with freezer burn if they’re stored properly in sealed molds or containers.
Reheating
Since this is a cold cocktail, reheating isn’t really applicable. But if you have leftover juices, you can warm them gently for a cozy, non-alcoholic mulled beverage later on.
FAQs
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Can I make this cocktail non-alcoholic?
Absolutely! Swap out the champagne for sparkling apple cider or any sparkling water of your choice. The mistletoe ice cubes still add festive flavor and charm, so you don’t miss out on the experience.
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How far in advance can I prepare the ice cubes?
I recommend making the cranberry and rosemary ice cubes up to five days before your event. Beyond that, the fresh rosemary tends to wilt and lose its aroma, which impacts the visual appeal and flavor.
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Can I use regular cranberry juice instead of cranberry juice cocktail?
You can, but cranberry juice cocktail is usually sweeter and complements the apple juice balance better. If you only have pure cranberry juice, consider adding a touch of sweetener to keep the cocktail nicely balanced.
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What type of champagne works best for this recipe?
A nice brut or extra brut champagne works best because it’s dry enough to balance the sweet-tart flavors in the cocktail without making it overly sugary.
Final Thoughts
What I absolutely love about the Mistletoe Cranberry Champagne Cocktails Recipe is how it takes a simple champagne toast and turns it into an unforgettable holiday statement. It’s a recipe that brings sparkle, flavor, and a whole lot of cheer — whether you’re celebrating with family, friends, or a cozy night in. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become your go-to festive cocktail, and your guests will keep asking for it year after year. So go ahead, give it a whirl, and let this recipe add a little extra magic to your holiday moments!
Print
Mistletoe Cranberry Champagne Cocktails Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours (freezing time)
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 cocktails
- Category: Beverages
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
Celebrate the holidays with festive Mistletoe Mimosas, featuring cranberry and apple juice ice cubes infused with fresh rosemary, topped with chilled champagne or sparkling apple cider for a refreshing seasonal cocktail or mocktail.
Ingredients
Ice Cubes
- 12 fresh cranberries (per ice cube mold, approx. 72 for 6 molds)
- 1/2 cup cranberry juice cocktail
- 1/2 cup apple juice
- 6 sprigs fresh rosemary
Drink
- 1 bottle (750 ml) champagne, chilled (for mocktail, use sparkling apple cider)
Instructions
- Prepare Cranberry Ice Cubes: Pop about 12 fresh cranberries into each ice cube mold to symbolically represent the 12 days of Christmas. You can adjust the number based on mold size and preference.
- Add Juice Mixture: Pour cranberry juice cocktail into each mold until it is halfway full, then top off with apple juice. Leave a small gap at the top of each mold to allow for expansion during freezing.
- Insert Rosemary Sprigs: Place a sprig of fresh rosemary into each mold to add a fragrant and festive touch.
- Freeze: Carefully transfer the ice cube trays to the freezer and freeze overnight or until the cubes are solid, approximately 8 hours.
- Serve: Once frozen, gently pop the mistletoe ice cubes out of the molds and place them into cocktail glasses.
- Pour and Enjoy: Pour chilled champagne or sparkling apple cider over the ice cubes. Serve immediately and enjoy the festive flavors.
Notes
- Use sparkling apple cider as a non-alcoholic alternative for mocktails.
- These ice cubes can be stored in the freezer for up to five days; however, fresh rosemary will wilt over time, so serve them within this period for best presentation.
- You can adjust the number of cranberries to your preference or the size of your ice cube mold.
- Leaving space at the top of the ice cube molds helps prevent overflow during freezing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cocktail (approximate)
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
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