Christmas Mimosa

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Cocktail History

The Christmas Mimosa is a Christmas cocktail that was created by Total Wine, the largest independent retailer of fine wine and spirits in the United States.

This version puts a seasonal twist on the classic Mimosa by swapping out the usual orange juice for tart cranberry juice, giving it a vibrant red hue and a tangy flavor that’s perfect for the holidays. The recipe keeps the sparkling wine base to provide that signature effervescence, while a hint of citrus liqueur adds depth and complexity, elevating the drink’s festive flair. With its refreshing, slightly tart taste and cheerful color, this holiday Mimosa is a simple yet sophisticated choice for holiday brunches or toasting to the season.

Cocktail Ingredients

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Sparkling Wine: This is a type of wine made with white grapes and yeast, which are fermented with the skins to produce alcohol and then infused with carbon dioxide gas to develop a pale yellow-green color and crisp, fruity flavor.

Cranberry Juice: This is the liquid extracted from ripe cranberries that’s blended with water to develop a dark, tart flavor.

Orange Curaçao: This is a liqueur made with bitter orange peels, brandy or distilled alcohol, water, and sugar, which are blended and infused to develop a sweet, rich citrus flavor.

Cranberries: This is a type of berry grown on low shrubs that has bright pink skin and tart, slightly bitter flavor.

Rosemary: This is an aromatic evergreen herb with needle-like leaves and a robust, piney, and slightly peppery flavor.

Brands I Used

• 🔗 Villa Bellezza Winery Brillante
• 🔗 R.W. Knudsen Organic Just Cranberry Juice
• 🔗 Senior & Co. Orange Curaçao Liqueur

Bartending Tools

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:

Bar Mat: This is a rubber or silicone mat that’s placed on the bar surface and used for catching spills, providing grip for glasses and tools, and keeping the workspace clean and organized.

Jigger: This is a small double-sided tool with different volume measurements on each side that’s used for accurately portioning ingredients.

Bar Spoon: This is a long-handled spoon with a twisted shaft that’s used for stirring cocktails, layering ingredients, and reaching the bottom of tall glasses and mixing vessels.

Cocktail Pick: This is a small, slender skewer made from metal, wood, or bamboo that’s used for holding cocktail garnishes in place.

Champagne Glass: This is a tall, narrow stemmed glass with a slender bowl that’s designed to preserve carbonation while concentrating aromas and used for serving sparkling drinks.

Tools I Used

• 🔗 A Bar Above 18×12 Premium Bar Mat
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Japanese Jigger
• 🔗 Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon
• 🔗 I-MART Gold Metal Cocktail Pick Set

Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

• Appearance: Bright pink-ish red hue

• Aroma: Woodsy rosemary and berry

• Taste: An effervescent wine flavor accented with tart cranberry

• Finish: Spiced orange

Kendall’s Take
“You might not expect a Mimosa to work without orange juice, but this variation proves otherwise. The orange liqueur keeps the classic recipe’s familiar citrus note in play, while cranberry juice gives the drink a festive twist and lets the sparkling wine shine a little brighter. The Christmas Mimosa is crisp, celebratory, and the perfect pick for a Christmas morning brunch spread, in my opinion.”

Recipe

This cocktail recipe was found in the publication Total Wine.