Holiday Bellini

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Cocktail History

The Holiday Bellini is a Christmas cocktail that was created by Erin Lynch, recipe developer and blogger at Platings & Pairings based in Portland, Oregon. Staying true to the original’s celebratory spirit, this variation retains sparkling wine as its base but swaps out the peach purée for a seasonally inspired cranberry and ginger syrup. The cranberry lends a vibrant, tart sweetness that pairs beautifully with the warming spice of ginger, creating a balanced and flavorful syrup that captures the essence of the holidays. This festive twist not only adds a unique depth of flavor but also gives the drink a rich, jewel-toned appearance, making it perfect for holiday gatherings or toasting with friends and family.

Cocktail Ingredients

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

Sparkling Wine: This is a type of wine made with white or red grapes and infused with carbon dioxide. I used La Marca Prosecco.

Cranberry Ginger Syrup: This is a sweetener made with cranberries, ginger, white sugar, gum arabic powder, and water.

Cranberries: This is a small red berry native to North America that’s known for its vibrant color and slightly bitter flavor.

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

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 to catch spills, provide grip for glasses and tools, and keep the workspace clean and organized. I used the Highball & Chaser 18×12 Bar Mat.

Jigger: This is a small, double-sided measuring tool that’s used to accurately portion spirits and mixers, typically with one side measuring 1 oz and the other 1.5 or 2 oz. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.

Bar Spoon: This is a long-handled spoon with a twisted shaft that’s used for stirring, layering, and reaching the bottom of tall cocktail glasses. I used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.

Cocktail Pick: This is a small, slender tool that’s used to skewer cocktail garnishes. I used one from the I-MART Gold Stainless Steel Cocktail Pick Set.

Champagne Glass: This is a tall, narrow glass that has a slender bowl and long stem to preserve carbonation and concentrate aromas. I used a thrifted champagne glass.

Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

• Appearance: Fizzy light pink color

• Aroma: Savory, woodsy rosemary and wine

• Taste: Bubbly wine with a slightly spicy ginger taste and notes of baking spices and cranberry

• Finish: Effervescent wine

Kendall’s Take
“I don’t know if this recipe technically qualifies as a Bellini since it doesn’t call for any peach, but this cranberry-ginger version is so good I’m not inclined to argue with it. It’s bright, lightly spiced, and incredibly easy to sip—basically festive sparkling wine with a seasonal twist. As simple as the Holiday Bellini is, the flavor combination really works, and it’s one I’d happily pour any time of year, not just during a Christmas brunch.”

Recipe

This cocktail recipe was found on the publication Platings & Pairings.