This holiday-inspired champagne cocktail is a merry way to spread sparkle and cheer. Toast the season with a festive ruby-red cranberry-pomegranate sparkler made from just a few simple ingredients.
Rim Your Cocktail Glass with Festive Color
A splash of cranberry juice gives this champagne cocktail a bright ruby hue that’s perfect for holiday gatherings. To make it extra festive, dip the glass rim in simple syrup (or corn syrup) and then into holiday sprinkles or red sanding sugar for a colorful, welcoming touch.
Stemless champagne flutes work nicely for serving this cocktail; they present well and help keep the drink chilled for guests.
Splash in Pomegranate Liqueur
This recipe uses a pomegranate liqueur for fruity depth, but alternatives are offered below.
Pour in pomegranate liqueur. A pomegranate liqueur brings notes of cranberry, raspberry and cherry alongside pomegranate flavor, adding depth and sweetness that pairs beautifully with sparkling wine. If you prefer not to use a bottled liqueur, combine pomegranate syrup with good-quality vodka as a simple substitute: stir syrup and vodka together and add to the glass before topping with sparkling wine.
Sip Your Champagne Cocktail in Holiday Style
If using pomegranate syrup and vodka, mix them first and pour into the glass, followed by cranberry juice. If using a pomegranate liqueur, splash it directly into the glass, then add cranberry juice. Finish by topping each glass with chilled champagne or prosecco. Taste and adjust proportions to your preference for sweetness and strength.
Add Champagne or Prosecco to Your Christmas Cranberry Cocktail
After the juices and liqueur are in the glass, top everything off with a nicely chilled sparkling wine. Prosecco or Champagne both work well — just be sure the bottle is well chilled so the cocktail stays cold when served. Using a dry or off-dry sparkling wine balances the sweetness of the liqueur and juice for a bright, refreshing finish.
Garnish with a mini candy cane or a few fresh cranberries for a festive look. This sparkling cranberry-pomegranate cocktail is perfect for holiday parties and works equally well as an easy New Year’s toast.
Deck The Drink with Peppermint!
Champagne plus juice isn’t just for brunch — by adding pomegranate and a pop of color, you transform a simple sparkling cocktail into a festive holiday favorite. Enjoy this easy, tasty Christmas champagne cocktail with friends and family for a sip of seasonal cheer.
Sparkling Cranberry Pomegranate Champagne Christmas Cocktail
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 oz Pomegranate liqueur – such as pomegranate liqueur
- 2 oz Cranberry juice
- Champagne or Prosecco – well chilled
- Simple syrup – for rimming glasses
- Holiday sprinkles or red sanding sugar – for rimming glasses
- Mini candy canes – for garnish
Instructions
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Dip the rim of each champagne glass in simple syrup, then into holiday sprinkles or red sanding sugar to coat the rim.
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Add pomegranate liqueur (or syrup + vodka), then pour in the cranberry juice. Top each glass with chilled sparkling wine and garnish with a mini candy cane or fresh cranberries.