Poinsettia Cocktail: Easy 3-Ingredient Christmas Drink

The poinsettia cocktail is the easiest way to make a holiday party feel special. Tart cranberry juice and a splash of orange liqueur go into a champagne flute, then you top it with cold sparkling wine. The result is a glowing red, bubbly drink that looks just like the Christmas flower it is named after.

It takes two minutes and three ingredients, and it works for Christmas brunch, a cookie exchange, or a New Year’s Eve toast. Drop in a few cranberries and a rosemary sprig and it looks like it came from a fancy bar.

Serve it with my cranberry curd tart or cranberry pistachio biscotti. Looking for a bigger batch? Try this cranberry orange Christmas punch.

JUMP TO

• Why You’ll Love This Poinsettia Cocktail
• What Is Poinsettia Cocktail?
• Ingredients
• Kitchen Equipment
• Ingredient Tips
• How to Make Poinsettia Cocktail
• Expert Tips for Perfect Poinsettia Cocktail
• Delicious Variations
• What to Serve with Poinsettia Cocktail
• Storage Instructions
• Can You Make It Ahead?
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Estimated Nutrition
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Why You’ll Love This Poinsettia Cocktail

This is the holiday bubbly everyone asks for.

Three Ingredients

Cranberry juice, orange liqueur, and sparkling wine.

Ready in 2 Minutes

No shaker or special tools needed.

Gorgeous Color

The deep red looks stunning in a flute.

Great for a Crowd

Easy to pour for a big group or set up as a bar.

Not Too Sweet

Tart cranberry balances the bubbly.

What Is Poinsettia Cocktail?

A poinsettia is a sparkling wine cocktail made with cranberry juice and orange liqueur, usually Cointreau or triple sec. It is a festive cousin of the mimosa.

It is named after the red poinsettia plant, a classic Christmas decoration in the United States. The drink’s deep red color and bubbles make it a natural fit for the holidays.

Because it is built right in the glass, it is one of the easiest cocktails to serve at a party.

Ingredients

Cocktail

Ingredient	Amount	Purpose
100% cranberry juice cocktail, chilled	2 ounces	Color and tartness
Orange liqueur (Cointreau or triple sec)	½ ounce	Citrus sweetness
Chilled brut sparkling wine or champagne	4 ounces	Bubbles

Garnish

Ingredient	Amount	Purpose
Fresh cranberries	4 to 5	Festive look
Small rosemary sprig	1	Wintery aroma
Strip orange peel (optional)	1	Citrus scent

Kitchen Equipment

• Champagne flutes
• Jigger
• Bar spoon

Ingredient Tips

Chill Everything

Cold juice and cold wine keep the bubbles lively.

Choose Brut

A dry brut sparkling wine keeps the drink balanced. Prosecco or cava work too.

Cranberry Juice Cocktail

Sweetened juice cocktail works better than pure unsweetened juice, which is very sour.

Orange Liqueur

Cointreau is smoother, triple sec is budget-friendly, and Grand Marnier adds a cognac note.

Frozen Cranberries

They float, look pretty, and keep the drink cold.

How to Make Poinsettia Cocktail

Step 1: Chill the Flutes

Place the flutes in the fridge or freezer for 10 minutes if you have time.

Step 2: Add Juice and Liqueur

Pour the cranberry juice and orange liqueur into the flute.

Step 3: Top with Bubbly

Tilt the glass and slowly pour in the sparkling wine so it does not foam over.

Step 4: Stir Gently

Give one gentle stir with a bar spoon to blend without losing the bubbles.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Drop in the cranberries, add the rosemary sprig, and serve right away.

Expert Tips for Perfect Poinsettia Cocktail

Pour at an Angle

It keeps more bubbles in the drink.

Do Not Over-Stir

One stir is enough.

Sugared Rim

Dip the rim in orange juice, then sugar, for sparkle.

Sugared Rosemary

Brush rosemary with water and roll in sugar to look like snow.

Pour to Order

Bubbly goes flat fast, so mix each drink as guests arrive.

Delicious Variations

Non-Alcoholic

Use sparkling cider or ginger ale and skip the liqueur.

Pomegranate

Swap cranberry juice for pomegranate juice.

Vodka Boost

Add ½ ounce vodka for a stronger drink.

Rosé Poinsettia

Use sparkling rosé for a pinker color.

Big Batch Punch

Mix 2 cups cranberry juice and ½ cup liqueur in a pitcher and add 1 bottle bubbly at serving.

What to Serve with Poinsettia Cocktail

Serve poinsettias with Christmas brunch dishes like quiche, cinnamon rolls, and fruit salad.

They are great with party appetizers too, like bacon wrapped dates and smoked salmon cucumber bites.

Set up a poinsettia bar with juice, liqueur, chilled bottles, and garnishes so guests can pour their own.

Storage Instructions

Storage Method	How Long	Best Practice
Refrigerator (mixed drink)	Not recommended	Bubbles go flat
Refrigerator (juice and liqueur base)	3 days	Covered pitcher
Opened sparkling wine	1 to 2 days	Use a stopper

Mix only what you will drink right away.

The cranberry and orange base can be mixed ahead and kept cold.

Can You Make It Ahead?

Combine cranberry juice and orange liqueur in a pitcher up to 3 days ahead.

Pour the base into flutes and top with sparkling wine just before serving.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Warm Wine

Warm bubbly foams over and goes flat.

Unsweetened Cranberry Juice

It makes the drink very sour.

Stirring Too Much

You lose the bubbles.

Sweet Wine Plus Sweet Juice

Too sugary; use brut.

Mixing Too Early

The drink goes flat sitting out.

Estimated Nutrition

Nutrient	Amount Per Serving
Calories	160
Carbohydrates	16g
Protein	0g
Fat	0g
Saturated Fat	0g
Fiber	0g
Sugar	14g
Sodium	5mg
Cholesterol	0mg

Estimate for one cocktail with brut sparkling wine and cranberry juice cocktail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The poinsettia cocktail is festive, fast, and almost impossible to mess up. It is the perfect drink for toasting the season.

Keep a few bottles of bubbly chilled this December so you can pour one any time friends drop by.

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