Let me guess–by the name of it, you’re wondering how in the world I came up with this drink, lol. Well…”Picture it: a small Christmas gathering circa 2021…”
Okay, so boom: when it comes to holiday entertaining that includes a cocktail, there are typically a handful of traditional options that always pop up. What’s one of the first ones to come to mind? Yep, you guessed it–the classic Poinsettia, made with orange liqueur, cranberry juice, and a bottle of sparkling wine, often garnished with a rosemary sprig a fresh cranberry.
As a sparkling wine cocktail lover, out of habit the Poinsettia was often the drink I’d opt for, but–perhaps in large part due the monotony that resulted from the *pandamimy*– at that small Christmas gathering in 2021, I found myself suddenly a bit put off by the status quo-ness of it when I was offered one. Annoyed, I wondered why someone hadn’t come up with something different?
Then I thought “Why I could be ‘someone’?” So, as a creator of unique bubbly cocktails in the past, I realized it was time to get back at it.
I began thinking about other standard holiday cocktails. Mulled wine. Christmas Punch. Wassil. Pomegranate mimosas. Sangria (although served year-round, the serving of red sangria often upticks during chillier months). Then inspiration struck: maybe I should try combining elements of some of those traditional cocktails to create something exciting and brand new. Thusly, “Yuletide Mimosangria” was born.
This drink is the delicious result of if a Poinsettia + Mimosa + Sangria had a cocktail baby, with a festive red and green theme as an added bonus. Let’s get to it. Recipe below.
YULETIDE MIMOSANGRIA
Diced green pears
Lime slices
Sliced kiwis
Cranberries (frozen? Dried?)
Raspberries
Cherries
White cranberry juice
Sparkling wine (Cava)
Pear nectar
Elderflower tonic water
Orange peel zest + juice Simple syrup
Brandy?? Pear liqueur ??? Pear brandy
Let the mixture marinate for a couple of hours (or even overnight). When you’re ready to serve add the sparkling wine and give her a gentle stir To elevate
VIDEO: phone inside the refrigerator recording; open the door and then put the pitcher in
- 1 cup white cranberry juice
- 3/4 cup pear brandy (regular brandy is fine as well)
- 1/4 cup orange liqueur
- 1/3 cup Elderflower liqueur
- 1 small vanilla bean split in half lengthwise
- 1/2 fresh green d’Anjou pear (cut into 2 quarters, cored, skin on, cut into thin slices)
- 1 kiwi, peeled and sliced
- 1 large lime, thinly sliced
- 1 cup fresh red raspberries/red plums/diced red apples
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup cherries, pitted and halved
- 1/3 cup Elderflower tonic water
- 750 ml bottle Cava Spanish sparkling wine
Combine all of the ingredients listed in order, except the Cava. Gently stir and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving (but overnight is good, too)
6-ingredient, traditional red sangria that’s got everything I’m looking for:
Fruit
Sweet
Dry
Lush
Smooth
Refreshing