What’s a celebration without Champagne?
This fresh cranberry champagne cocktail recipe is a twist on a classic old-school cocktail called a ‘French 75.’ Thanksgiving dinner is the perfect time to serve this winter cocktail. But, I’ve been known to bring this refreshing cranberry champagne mimosa out even for a Mother’s Day brunch.
What drinks go with Thanksgiving dinner?
When you want something festive and aren’t ready to break open the pinot noir yet, a refreshing cranberry cocktail is a perfect thing to serve your holiday guests. This cocktail is best in the Winter because you can get fresh cranberries. But, you can make this cranberry cocktail any time of year with frozen cranberries or just the cranberry juice.
This cocktail is more than just a cranberry champagne mimosa; it’s a cranberry gin cocktail.
What are the ingredients for a mimosa?
Mimosas are usually made by adding one ounce of juice to a champagne glass and then topping it off with champagne. They are probably the easiest cocktail to make.
What is the best juice for making mimosas?
Of course, this is entirely up to you. I love the traditional mimosa made with orange juice. But, there is are so many ways to take this classic champagne cocktail to the next level.
- Pomegranate juice
- P.O.G – Pineapple Orange Guava juice (a Hawaiian favorite)
- Cranberry juice
- Mango Juice
One piece of advice – It’s good to stick with an acidic fruit for this type of cocktail.
You can also use different types of sparkling wine or champagne. Try mixing things up with a bottle of pink champagne.
What is a French 75 cocktail?
The original French 75 cocktail was said to celebrate the firepower of the WWI French 75-millimeter field gun. Let’s just say that the gin hiding in this version also packs a punch that may feel like you got hit with a 75mm field gun! Don’t worry; I’ll give you the ingredients for the French 75 cocktail recipe too!
What goes into a champagne cocktail?
You’ll make a champagne cocktail with:
- A small amount of juice, about 1 ounce or half of a shot glass.
- 1 to 2 ounces of vodka.
- Top the whole thing off with your favorite champagne, sparkling wine or even prosecco.
What is the difference between champagne, sparkling wine, and prosecco?
- Champagne – Champagne is sparkling wine that’s produced in the Northeast Champagne region of France. It’s made of chardonnay, pinot noir and Pinot Meunier grapes grown in this region. If your bottle didn’t come from there – it’s not champagne. That doesn’t mean it’s not delicious!
- Prosecco – is Italy’s version of champagne. It is produced in the Veneto region of Italy and made with glera grapes.
- Sparkling wine – Is sparkling wine that isn’t produced in these two listed regions and yes, it’s still delicious.
To make this cocktail, let get started.
- Pick your favorite champagne brand. Or find a bottle of prosecco that you like. Don’t use super cheap champagne. But, your bottle doesn’t have to be top shelf either.
- To make the frosted cranberries, you toss them in whisked egg whites and then roll them in sugar. Let them dry overnight. These sugar-coated gems give this cocktail an extra fancy look while requiring no additional skill.
- Make the cranberry syrup. If you aren’t up for making the cranberry syrup from scratch, then substitute a sweetened cranberry juice.
- In a cocktail shaker add the cranberry syrup, lemon, and the gin. Shake and then strain into a champagne flute.
What’s your favorite cocktail?
Sincerely, I’d like to know. Leave me a comment below.
I tend to go for a simple Manhattan or a classic Old Fashioned. Classy and old school!
Find out what your signature drink says about you.
Take this test from the Refinery.
What are some popular cocktails?
Any of these would be great for your next brunch or holiday celebration.
Try Bruce’s Champagne Cocktail as well.
The cocktail that I found in the South of France the Bulle de Peché.
And one of my favorites, the Orange Cranberry Old Fashioned.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot, get the recipe for the French 75 Cocktail. It’ll have all the ingredients. ➠ Grab the French 75 Recipe HERE!
Cranberry Champagne Cocktail
Ingredients
Cranberry Syrup
- 1 1/4 cup water
- 1 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 cups cranberries fresh or frozen
Cocktail
- 1 oz gin
- 1/2 oz lemon juice fresh
- 1/2 oz cranberry syrup
- 2 oz champagne
- lemon twist garnish
- 2 sugared cranberries garnish
Instructions
Cranberry Syrup
- Combine water and sugar in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Stir to dissolve the sugar. Add cranberries and simmer 10 minutes - or until the cranberries pop. Remove from heat, cool and strain. [Yields 1 1/4 cups. Keeps 3 weeks in the refrigerator.]
Cocktail
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine gin, lemon juice and cranberry syrup. Shake and strain into a champagne flute. Top with champagne. Garnish with a lemon twist and two sugared cranberries.
