Who doesn’t love a little bubbly this time of year? This simple champagne cocktail has a touch of tart cranberry balanced a tangy hint of citrus thanks to fresh orange juice. It’s *THE* perfect festive drink to make this season.
For the longest time I thought that you could only drink champagne alone. Obviously, you totally can, and it’s delicious by itself. But, have you ever tried adding a little something something to your champagne to make it a cocktail?
Champagne is classy on its own, but if you want to elevate your holiday libation with literally zero effort, you need to try this orange cranberry champagne cocktail. I always love simple things that feel fancy, and this drink has permanently received a spot on my easy holiday recipe list.
Just like the name sounds, you’ve probably already guessed the components of this cocktail: cranberry, orange, and champagne.
How to Make This Cranberry Orange Champagne Cocktail
First, fill your champagne flute or coupe about a quarter full with cranberry juice. I prefer to buy 100% cranberry juice so so this cocktail doesn’t get too sweet when you add your champagne. My ribbed coupe glasses are under $10 a glass. (I also included these glasses in my holiday gift guide – click here to see all of my favorite gifts.)
Squeeze the juice from a single orange wedge into your glass. This adds a nice refreshing touch of citrus to brighten up your drink. The cranberry and orange combination is a classic holiday pairing for dressing/sauce/relish, so why not have it as a drink, too?
Top off your glass with champagne, then finish your cocktail with an orange twist and toss in a few frozen cranberries to garnish.
Pro tip on the orange twist: take a vegetable peeler and start on the top of the orange, where the orange would connect to a tree branch. Then move your peeler slowly down to the bottom or “butt” of the orange, applying pressure. I found this to be a much simpler way to get my twist than trying to get a long and fancy curly one.
The great thing about this cranberry champagne cocktail is that you can you can serve it up in the fall for Thanksgiving and right through New Year’s Eve. Cheers!
Looking for another festive cocktail? Try this Thanksgiving Sangria.
Cranberry Orange Champagne Cocktail
Ingredients
- 100% cranberry juice (try to find unsweetened if you can)
- 1 orange, to slice into wedges and foro a twist
- 1 bottle champagne, sparkling wine, or prosecco
- frzozen whole cranberries, for garnishing
Instructions
- Fill your glass about one quarter full with cranberry juice.
- Cut half of your orange into wedges, leaving the other half for you to zest a twist. Squeeze one wedge into your glass.
- Top with champagne, then toss in with a small handful of the frozen cranberries and garnish with your orange twist.
