Poinsettia Champagne Cocktail

Poinsettia Champagne Cocktail

The Spruce / Nyssa Tanner

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

The poinsettia is an elegant cranberry-flavored Champagne cocktail that is perfect for holiday parties. There are a number of recipes that take on this name, though this is one of the easiest you'll find. The simplicity is part of the poinsettia's beauty and the flavor has universal appeal.

This poinsettia requires just 3 common ingredients and it mixes up quickly. You'll need a premium orange liqueur, cranberry juice, and a bottle of Champagne. Choose a wine that's on the sweet side; demi-sec is an excellent option, but there's no reason to break the bank.

“The Poinsettia Champagne Cocktail is a perfect choice for fall and  winter holiday parties. The light and refreshing ingredients make a crisp and delicious cocktail well suited for the start of a holiday dinner or winter brunch.” —Joan Velush

Poinsettia Champagne Cocktail/tester image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1/2 ounce orange liqueur

  • 3 ounces cranberry juice

  • 3 ounces Champagne

  • Fresh cranberries, for garnish

  • Fresh rosemary sprig, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Poinsettia Champagne Cocktail ingredients

    The Spruce / Nyssa Tanner

  2. Pour the orange liqueur and cranberry juice into a chilled Champagne flute.

    Cranberry juice and orange liqueur in champagne flute

    The Spruce / Nyssa Tanner

  3. Stir well.

    stir the cocktail ingredients in the Champagne glass

    The Spruce / Nyssa Tanner

  4. Top with the Champagne.

    Cranberry juice and champagne in a flute

    The Spruce / Nyssa Tanner

  5. Garnish with a few fresh cranberries and a small rosemary sprig. Serve and enjoy.

    Poinsettia Champagne Cocktail, garnished with a few fresh cranberries and a small rosemary sprig

    The Spruce / Nyssa Tanner

Tips

  • Since there's no ice involved, be sure to chill the ingredients before mixing this drink. Place the bottles in the refrigerator at least 1 to 2 hours before preparing.
  • Champagne cocktails do not require the absolute best wine, which is particularly true when paired with a heavy flavor such as cranberry, so feel free to be a little frugal. There are many great budget-friendly Champagnes available that are perfect for cocktails. 
  • Sparkling wines like cava and prosecco are fantastic substitutes for Champagne, and they're often more reasonably priced.
  • When it comes to the orange liqueur, however, it is best to buy a high-quality bottle. Recommended brands are Cointreau, Combier, and the brandy-based Grand Marnier (which will give the drink a darker profile).

Quick Party Service

Just like any other Champagne cocktail, the poinsettia is best when the wine is added just before serving. There are 2 ways you can make party service a breeze:

  • Line up the flutes, then pour and mix the orange liqueur and cranberry juice before the party gets started. When it's time to serve, top each glass with Champagne and hand guests a fresh, sparkling drink.
  • Mix the liqueur and juice in a serving pitcher and keep it in the refrigerator so it stays cold. As each guest arrives for their cocktail, pour the cranberry mixture and then top it off with sparkling wine.

Recipe Variations

  • Play down the cranberry a little if you like: Instead of equal parts, pour 2 ounces of cranberry juice and 4 ounces of Champagne.
  • Make a virgin poinsettia without the alcohol: Fill a flute halfway with cranberry juice, top it with nonalcoholic sparkling grape juice, and twist an orange zest over the drink before dropping it into the glass.
  • For a pomegranate poinsettia, add pomegranate liqueur and a little orange juice. Another option is to simply substitute the cranberry juice with pomegranate juice or liqueur.

How Strong Is a Poinsettia Cocktail?

The poinsettia is a great party drink because it's light on the alcohol. Such a long pour of cranberry juice dilutes the wine down to 8 percent ABV (16 proof), ensuring the cocktail falls right between beer and wine.

What's the Difference Between Cranberry Juice and Cranberry Cocktail?

Cranberry juice is actually a blend of different types of fruit juice, often including apple and grape, which helps to add sweetness and mellow out the tartness. Cranberry cocktail, on the other hand, is made only of cranberries; sugar, and sometimes corn syrup, is added for sweetness.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
163 Calories
0g Fat
17g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 163
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 10mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 17g 6%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 14g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 30mg 150%
Calcium 28mg 2%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 146mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)