If you’re looking for a cocktail that strikes the perfect balance between festive and refreshing, you’ve got to try this Holiday Rum Negroni with Sparkling Wine Recipe. It’s a joyful twist on the classic Negroni — swapping in warm amber rum and adding a splash of sparkling wine makes it simply irresistible. Trust me, once you whip this up during the holidays, it’s going to be your go-to drink for those cozy gatherings and celebrations.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Festive Flavor Twist: Using rum instead of gin gives this Negroni a warm, holiday vibe that’s unexpected and delightful.
Effervescent Finish: The sparkling wine topper adds crisp bubbles that brighten the whole cocktail, making it perfect for celebrations.
Simple & Quick: You only need a few ingredients and 5 minutes, so it’s great for last-minute guests or a relaxing evening.
Customizable: It’s easy to adjust the bitters, sweetness, or bubbly amount to suit your exact taste—plus you can garnish however you like!

The image shows a clear glass filled with a red drink on a white marbled surface. The glass has a thick clear base and vertical grooves in its texture. Inside the glass, the red liquid fills most of the space with several large, clear ice cubes floating near the top. On the surface of the drink, there are dark red berries and small twists of yellow citrus peel, adding bright contrast to the red and clear ice. In the blurred background, another similar glass with a red drink and citrus is visible. The setting is simple and clean with soft lighting, emphasizing the colors and textures of the drink. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Holiday Rum Negroni with Sparkling Wine, festive cocktail recipes, holiday drinks, sparkling wine cocktails, winter cocktail ideas

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering these ingredients is a breeze since they’re all common staples or easy to find specialty items. Each one plays a crucial role to build that perfect balance of bitterness, sweetness, warmth, and sparkle.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl filled with amber-colored rum, a small white ceramic bowl containing bright red Campari, a small white ceramic bowl with deep garnet sweet vermouth, a simple white ceramic bowl holding clear sparkling white wine with bubbles visible, a whole uncracked brown egg placed nearby (to match the style guideline even though eggs aren’t in this recipe, omit this if not applicable), a few fresh glossy orange twists arranged beside a handful of plump fresh cranberries, all perfectly balanced and symmetrically arranged on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Holiday Rum Negroni with Sparkling Wine, festive cocktail recipes, holiday drinks, sparkling wine cocktails, winter cocktail ideas

Amber/Gold Rum: Pick a good-quality one with rich, caramel notes to add that cozy holiday warmth.
Campari: The classic bitter component that gives the Negroni its signature bite.
Sweet Vermouth: I love Cocchi Vermouth di Torino for its nuanced flavor—it really rounds out the cocktail.
Sparkling White Wine: Dry Prosecco works beautifully here; it lifts the drink with fresh, lively bubbles.
Orange Twist: Adds a bright citrus aroma that wakes up the senses.
Fresh Cranberries: Optional but festive—they look gorgeous and add a hint of tartness.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love making this Holiday Rum Negroni with Sparkling Wine Recipe my own by tweaking it here and there. Play around—it’s part of the fun! You may discover your new favorite version.

Rum Swap: Sometimes I use dark rum instead for a deeper molasses flavor that’s even more wintery.
Gin Substitute: If you prefer a classic vibe, switch rum back to gin, and this still rocks as a sparkling holiday cocktail.
Bitters Upgrade: Adding blood orange bitters enhanced the seasonal citrus notes for a special occasion.
Herbal Touch: A sprig of rosemary as garnish adds a lovely pine aroma that reminds me of Christmas trees.

How to Make Holiday Rum Negroni with Sparkling Wine Recipe

Step 1: Stir the Base Mixture

Start by pouring your amber rum, Campari, and sweet vermouth into a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir gently but thoroughly—aim for about 20-30 seconds until everything is well-chilled and nicely combined. Stirring instead of shaking keeps the cocktail silky smooth, preserving those delicate bitters and complex flavors.

Step 2: Strain Over Fresh Ice

Grab a rocks glass and fill it with fresh ice cubes—big cubes are even better to slow dilution. Strain the stirred mixture over the ice, capturing all that rich, ruby-hued elixir without any melted water weakening it.

Step 3: Top with Sparkling Wine

Now for the magic—slowly top your glass with about 3 ounces of dry sparkling white wine, ideally a Prosecco. Pour gently to keep those bubbles lively and preserve that light effervescence. This sparkle brings freshness and lifts the cocktail into celebration territory.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Finish by twisting a fresh orange peel over the drink to release its oils, then drop it in along with a few cranberries if you have them. The citrus notes and festive red berries make this cocktail pop visually and aromatically—perfect for holiday cheer!

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Pro Tips for Making Holiday Rum Negroni with Sparkling Wine Recipe

Keep It Cold: Always stir your base ingredients with plenty of ice, then strain over fresh ice—this prevents the sparkling wine from going flat too quick.
Adjust to Taste: I learned it’s completely okay to tweak the rum or Campari amount depending on how boozy or bitter you prefer it.
Use Large Ice Cubes: They melt slower, so your cocktail stays nicely chilled without watering down during sipping.
Add Sparkling Wine Last: Pour it gently at the end—not mixed in—so you keep that fresh fizz all the way through enjoying your drink.

How to Serve Holiday Rum Negroni with Sparkling Wine Recipe

A clear glass filled with a bright red drink sits on a white marbled surface. Inside the glass, large ice cubes float near the top, and there is a twist of orange peel curled above a dark cherry resting on the ice. The glass has a thick base with vertical cuts around it, giving it a textured look. In the background, there is a second similar glass with the same drink slightly out of focus and a white bowl with cherries on the right side. A soft grey cloth is placed on the left side of the marble surface. The background is plain and bright. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Holiday Rum Negroni with Sparkling Wine, festive cocktail recipes, holiday drinks, sparkling wine cocktails, winter cocktail ideas

Garnishes

I almost always go with a bright orange twist and a few fresh cranberries to garnish. The orange oils bring a lovely citrus perfume just as you lift the glass, and those cranberries add a beautiful festive pop of color. Plus, they’re fun to nibble on between sips!

Side Dishes

This cocktail pairs wonderfully with salty snacks like spiced nuts, olives, or aged cheese boards. I like serving it alongside prosciutto-wrapped dates or herb-roasted almonds—snacks with a bit of savory punch complement the Negroni’s bittersweet complexity perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party, I’ve served this drink in coupe glasses rimmed with a bit of sugar and fine orange zest for extra glam. You can also float a rosemary sprig on top for a fragrant holiday touch. If it’s wintertime, try adding a cinnamon stick as a stirrer—it infuses subtle spice over time.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This cocktail really shines best made fresh. Because of the sparkling wine, I recommend enjoying it immediately—once mixed, it tends to lose fizz quickly. If you have leftovers of the stirred base (rum, Campari, vermouth), you can store that in an airtight bottle in the fridge for up to a week.

Freezing

Freezing this cocktail isn’t ideal because the carbonation will dissipate and the texture changes. I don’t freeze the sparkling wine component, but the stirred base can be prepared ahead and refrigerated instead.

Reheating

No need to reheat this drink! Just prepare fresh each time you want one to enjoy that crisp sparkle and balanced flavor at its best.

FAQs

Can I use a different spirit instead of rum in this Holiday Rum Negroni with Sparkling Wine Recipe?

Absolutely! While rum adds a warm, rich flavor perfect for the holidays, you can swap it with gin to make a more traditional sparkling Negroni, or even mezcal for a smoky twist. Each will change the flavor profile but still deliver a delicious cocktail experience.
What kind of sparkling wine works best?

Dry sparkling wines like Prosecco or Brut Champagne are ideal because they bring crisp acidity and bubbles without adding too much sweetness. Avoid sweet sparkling wines which could overpower the cocktail’s balance.
Can I prepare this cocktail ahead of time?

It’s best to mix the rum, Campari, and vermouth base ahead if you want, but add sparkling wine just before serving. This keeps the bubbles fresh and the cocktail lively. If made too far in advance, it may become flat and lose its charm.
How do I garnish for a stunning presentation?

I like using a twisted orange peel and fresh cranberries for a vibrant, festive look. Adding a rosemary sprig or cinnamon stick can also enhance aroma and add a seasonal flair. Just make sure garnishes complement the flavors without overpowering them.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Holiday Rum Negroni with Sparkling Wine Recipe turns out—there’s something about those warm rum notes mingling with bitters and vibrant bubbles that just feels like the perfect holiday hug in a glass. When I first tried this twist on a classic, it stole the show at our family gatherings, and I bet you’ll enjoy it just as much. Give it a go, tweak it to your liking, and I promise it’ll become your cocktail season staple. Cheers to cozy celebrations and sparkling memories!

Holiday Rum Negroni with Sparkling Wine Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 72 reviews

Author: Jessica
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 cocktail
Category: Cocktail
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: Italian-inspired

Print Recipe

Description

The Holiday Negroni is a festive twist on the classic Negroni cocktail, blending amber rum, Campari, and sweet vermouth with sparkling white wine for a bright, bubbly finish. Garnished with an orange twist and fresh cranberries, this drink is perfect for holiday celebrations and easy to prepare in minutes.

Ingredients

Liquids

¾ to 1 ounce amber/gold rum
½ ounce Campari
½ ounce sweet vermouth (preferably Cocchi Vermouth di Torino)
3 oz sparkling white wine, preferably dry Prosecco

Garnish

Orange twist
Fresh cranberries

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Mix Spirits: Add the rum, Campari, and sweet vermouth to a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir gently until well combined and chilled, ensuring the mixture is smooth and evenly mixed.
Strain into Glass: Strain the stirred mixture into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice cubes, preparing the base of your cocktail.
Add Sparkling Wine: Carefully top the mixture with 3 ounces of sparkling white wine, preferably dry Prosecco, to add effervescence and crispness.
Garnish: Garnish the cocktail with a twist of orange peel and a few fresh cranberries for aroma, color, and festive flair.
Serve Immediately: Serve the cocktail right away to enjoy the sparkling wine’s bubbles at their freshest.

Notes

Recipe inspired by Bon Appetit.
My favorite brand of sweet vermouth is Cocchi Vermouth di Torino.
Feel free to adjust the amounts of ingredients according to your taste preferences.
Best enjoyed immediately as the sparkling wine loses its fizz if made ahead.
Technique: Stir the rum, Campari, and vermouth with ice before topping to keep the Prosecco bright and bubbly.
Variation: Try swapping the rum for gin or using blood orange bitters for a deeper winter twist.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cocktail
Calories: 180
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 5mg
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 9g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg