Poinsettia Cocktail

This simple three ingredient Poinsettia Cocktail can be served at any Christmas gathering. It’s festive, pretty and delicious!

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” Yes, Christmas is just around the corner and that means it’s time to celebrate with your family and friends. This simple Poinsettia Cocktail is a festive, elegant and pretty drink to serve at your holiday party. It’s made with just three simple ingredients: cranberry juice, orange liqueur and champagne and it just takes a minute to pour and serve.

What kind of champagne should I use in this Poinsettia Cocktail?

Champagne by definition is a sparkling wine that originated in the Champagne region of France. The most popular type of French champagne is Brut. Brut, by definition means dry and contains only 12 grams of sugar or less per litre. For this Poinsettia Cocktail, however, I wouldn’t recommend using a Brut champagne but ratter a demi-sec champagne which tends to be on the sweeter side. Demi-sec chanpagnes have more sugar, 30-50 grams per litre making it sweeter and to me, more desirable. However, if you love dry, less sweet champagne, by all means use the Brut for this recipe. According to gayot.com the best demi-sec Champagnes are:

• Champagne A. Margaine Cuvée, from Villers-Marmery, France, runs about $45 for 750 ml
• Billecart-Salmon’s Demi-Sec, from Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, France, runs about $55 for 750ml
• Champagne Collet, from Aÿ, France runs about  $53 for 750ml

However, there is no need to break the bank and use Champagnes from France. There are many budget-friendly alternatives. For example:

• Italian Prosecco (that I used for this recipe) that runs about $13-20 for 750ml
• Spanish Cava which runs about $15-25 for 750 ml
• Gruet Demi-Sec, from America that runs about $17 for 750 ml

Remember, there’s no wrong Champagne or sparkling wine, use your favorite and enjoy! Cheers!

Poinsettia Cocktail-Ingredients

• 3 oz cranberry juice
• 3 oz Champagne or sparkling wine
• .5 oz Cointreau 
• fresh cranberries (for garnish)
• rosemary sprig (for garmish)

Instructions

• In a Champagne glass, add cranberry juice, Cointreau and top with champagne.
• Add a rosemary sprig and cranberries to the glass for garnish.
• Serve and enjoy!
• Cheers!

How to make a Virgin Poinsettia Cocktail

• Fill a Champagne glass halfway with cranberry juice, add a splash of orange juice and top with non-alcoholic sparkling grape juice.
• Add a rosemary sprig and cranberries to the glass for garnish.
• Serve and enjoy!

For other great holiday drinks try:

Andes Mint Hot Chata

Butterball Hot Chocolate

Cinnamon Toast Crunch Martini

Pear Martini

Simple Butterball Cocktail

White Chocolate Peppermint Martini