If you’re looking to spread some holiday cheer with a drink that’s both festive and refreshingly unique, I absolutely love sharing my Cranberry Mistletoe Mimosas with Rosemary Recipe. This cocktail isn’t just your average mimosa—it’s a fun, elegant twist that brings crisp cranberries and fragrant rosemary right to your glass, making every sip feel like a winter celebration. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll want to make it your go-to during those cozy holiday gatherings!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive Flavor Profile: The perfect balance of tart cranberry, sweet apple, and herbal rosemary makes this mimosa stand out from the crowd.
- Impress Your Guests: Those cranberry-rosemary ice cubes look stunning and add a conversation-starting touch to any holiday table.
- Easy to Prepare Ahead: Freeze your special ice cubes overnight and simply pour Champagne or sparkling cider when guests arrive.
- Versatile and Adjustable: Whether you want an alcoholic or mocktail version, this recipe adapts easily to your preferences.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together beautifully to capture the spirit of the season. I always recommend picking the freshest rosemary sprigs and cranberries for the most vibrant flavors and visuals.
- Fresh Cranberries: They add that bright pop of color and tartness, plus they freeze beautifully inside ice cubes.
- Fresh Rosemary sprigs: This herb brings a wonderfully piney aroma that screams winter festivities.
- Cranberry Juice Cocktail: Choose a good-quality juice, preferably unsweetened, to balance the apple juice perfectly.
- Apple Juice: Adds subtle sweetness and smoothness to mellow out the tartness.
- Champagne or Sparkling Apple Cider: Go bubbly with Champagne for a classic mimosa touch or use sparkling cider for a festive mocktail option.
Variations
I love how versatile this Cranberry Mistletoe Mimosas with Rosemary Recipe is—it’s super fun to tweak depending on your mood or event. Feel free to experiment, and I encourage you to make it truly yours!
- Mocktail Version: When I have non-drinking guests or want a lighter option, I swap Champagne for sparkling apple cider, and the mimosa still steals the show.
- Herb Swap: Rosemary is fabulous, but I’ve also tried thyme or even a sprig of mint for a fresh twist—though rosemary’s aroma is my personal favorite for this recipe.
- Fruit Add-Ins: Some years, I toss in a few frozen pomegranate seeds along with cranberries for extra color and festive crunch.
- Sweeter Touch: If you like sweeter drinks, adding a splash of elderflower liqueur or simple syrup to the juice mix creates a delightful twist.
How to Make Cranberry Mistletoe Mimosas with Rosemary Recipe
Step 1: Craft Your Festive Ice Cubes
This is where the magic starts. I like to pop about a dozen fresh cranberries into each ice cube mold to nod to the 12 days of Christmas, but you can add as many or as few as you want—these little gems are what make this mimosa extra fun! Pour cranberry juice into each mold until it’s halfway full, then carefully add apple juice. Don’t fill all the way to the top; leave a bit of wiggle room because the liquid expands when it freezes. Finally, tuck in a sprig of fresh rosemary into each compartment. Freeze them overnight to let everything set solidly—this prep work is a total game-changer for your holiday party flow.
Step 2: Assemble and Serve
When your guests arrive and it’s time for drinks, pop those beautiful mistletoe ice cubes out of the molds—run the tray under a little warm water if they’re stubborn—and place them gently in your cocktail glasses. Slowly pour chilled Champagne or sparkling apple cider over the ice cubes. You’ll notice how the rosemary sprigs and cranberries gradually infuse the drink adding layers of flavor and a stunning presentation. It’s simple, elegant, and guaranteed to wow everyone.
Pro Tips for Making Cranberry Mistletoe Mimosas with Rosemary Recipe
- Freeze Overnight for Perfect Cubes: I found that freezing the ice cubes overnight ensures they’re solid and won’t dilute your drink too quickly.
- Fresh Rosemary is Key: Using fresh rosemary instead of dried herbs keeps the aroma vibrant and visually appealing as it slowly infuses.
- Don’t Overfill the Molds: Leaving space when filling helps avoid the mess when the juice expands during freezing.
- Serve Within 5 Days: The rosemary and cranberries look and taste best fresh, so enjoy them within five days after freezing for maximum sparkle.
How to Serve Cranberry Mistletoe Mimosas with Rosemary Recipe
Garnishes
Beyond the rosemary sprigs inside the ice cubes, I like to add an extra fresh sprig of rosemary or a few whole cranberries on top right before serving. It’s such a simple detail but really amps up the festive vibe. Sometimes I’ll also rim the glasses with sugar mixed with a tiny pinch of citrus zest for an added sparkle effect.
Side Dishes
These mimosas pair wonderfully with light, savory breakfast or brunch dishes. I love serving them alongside mini quiches, smoked salmon on toast points, or even a festive cheese board with nuts and dried fruits. They also brighten up holiday appetizer spreads beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, try serving these mimosas in flute glasses placed on a bed of pine needles and cranberries, or set the cocktail glasses inside a rustic wooden tray lined with a festive runner. I once arranged small pine cones and cinnamon sticks around the glasses for a charming winter woodland theme that guests loved!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to make extra cranberry-rosemary ice cubes, keep them stored in an airtight container to prevent freezer odors. I usually keep them in the freezer for up to five days—any longer and the rosemary loses its fresh look and flavor.
Freezing
Freezing is a breeze with this recipe, and I recommend freezing the cubes right after assembling. The key is to keep them flat and stable in the freezer so the rosemary doesn’t get bent and the juice freezes evenly.
Reheating
This recipe doesn’t require reheating, since it’s a cold, refreshing drink. Just remember to serve immediately after adding your bubbly to enjoy the full effervescent flavor and the pretty presentation.
FAQs
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Can I make Cranberry Mistletoe Mimosas with Rosemary Recipe without alcohol?
Absolutely! Simply substitute the Champagne with sparkling apple cider or any sparkling water of your choice. The flavor and festivity remain intact, and it’s perfect for all ages or those avoiding alcohol.
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How far in advance can I prepare the rosemary cranberry ice cubes?
You can prepare and freeze the ice cubes up to five days in advance. Beyond that, the rosemary tends to wilt and lose its fresh aroma, so I recommend planning to serve within that timeframe for best results.
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What if I don’t have ice cube molds?
No worries! You can use any small shallow container or silicone molds you have on hand. Just make sure they’re freezer-safe and the cavities aren’t too large to keep the garnishes intact and the drink visually appealing.
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Can I use frozen cranberries?
Fresh cranberries freeze better inside the molds and hold their shape nicely. Frozen cranberries might release more liquid as they thaw, so if you only have frozen on hand, try patting them dry before adding to the molds.
Final Thoughts
This Cranberry Mistletoe Mimosas with Rosemary Recipe holds a special place in my holiday traditions because it’s so simple yet festive enough to impress. I love how it brings people together and kicks off celebrations with a sparkle and fresh flavor. Give it a try—you’ll find it’s as fun to make as it is to enjoy, and it might just become your new holiday signature drink. Cheers to joyful gatherings and delicious memories!
Print
Cranberry Mistletoe Mimosas with Rosemary Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours (freezing time)
- Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 cocktails 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Freezing
- Cuisine: American
Description
Celebrate the holiday season with festive Mistletoe Mimosas featuring cranberry and apple juice ice cubes infused with rosemary, topped with chilled champagne or sparkling apple cider for a refreshing and visually stunning cocktail or mocktail.
Ingredients
Fruits and Juices
- 1 cup Fresh Cranberries
- 1/2 cup Cranberry Juice Cocktail
- 1/2 cup Apple Juice
Other Ingredients
- 6 sprigs Fresh Rosemary
- 1 bottle (750 ml) Champagne, chilled (Mocktail Version: Sparkling Apple Cider)
Instructions
- Prepare Cranberry Ice Cubes: Place about 12 fresh cranberries into each ice cube mold to represent the 12 days of Christmas or according to your preference.
- Fill Ice Cube Molds: Pour cranberry juice cocktail into each mold until it’s halfway full, then top with apple juice. Leave some space at the top of each mold to allow for liquid expansion during freezing.
- Add Rosemary Sprigs: Insert one sprig of fresh rosemary into each mold carefully to infuse subtle herbal notes as they freeze.
- Freeze the Ice Cubes: Transfer the ice cube molds to the freezer and allow them to freeze overnight or until completely solid, approximately 8 hours.
- Serve the Mimosas: When ready, gently remove the mistletoe ice cubes from the molds and place them into cocktail glasses.
- Pour the Champagne: Top each glass with chilled champagne or sparkling apple cider for a non-alcoholic version. Serve immediately and enjoy the festive drink.
Notes
- The ice cubes can be stored in the freezer for up to five days; however, the rosemary will wilt over time so it’s best to serve within this period.
- Mocktail version swaps champagne with sparkling apple cider for a refreshing non-alcoholic option.
- The cranberries and rosemary in the ice cubes provide not only flavor but also a beautiful decorative touch.
- Leaving space in the molds prevents overflow and cracking of the ice cubes due to expansion.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cocktail
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
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