Poinsettia Champagne Cocktail

For that in-between time between Christmas and New Year’s, enjoy a Poinsettia Champagne Cocktail! Equal parts both holidays, this easy yet elegant sparkling cranberry cocktail is worth toasting the holidays with. 

The time between Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve is always so strange. 

One holiday ends. Family leaves. You might have time to catch up with an old friend. It feels like you are cleaning and organizing forever. Do you take down the decorations now or do you wait until 12 days have passed? I never know. 

Whatever, it’s a whirlwind. 

And then New Year’s Eve creeps up on you, and it’s suddenly time for a new year, sequins and resolutions. 

Chris and I have low-key plans for New Year’s this year and I absolutely cannot wait.  

Don’t get me wrong: Though I’d love to be planning an NYE bash and debating whether to serve Champagne Jell-O Shots, Elderflower French 75 Cocktails or Meyer Lemon Drop Champagne Punch (or all three), I am excited to be taking a holiday off from entertaining. 

Instead, this NYE, you can find me at home on the couch with my love, watching a movie and one of these Poinsettia Champagne Cocktails. 

They’re fizzy, fruity and so fun for the holidays, and you can even enjoy them into the new year.

With the pink and red colors, they’d be so cute for a Valentine’s Day dinner! (Even though they’re named for the classic Christmas flower — who cares? They’re delicious. 

These lovely, easy drinks feature champagne, of course, cranberry juice and triple sec. Let’s talk about what you need to get to make these the best NYE party drink ever. 

What kind of cranberry juice should I use? 

Stay away from the labels that say “cranberry juice cocktail.” These have tons of added sugar and don’t mix nicely in a classy cocktail like this.

Instead go for a cranberry juice that has real ingredients and little added sugars.

What kind of champagne should I use? 

I recommend a brut champagne or prosecco.

A dryer sparkling wine will be best to highlight the flavors of the cranberry juice. Spring for a nicer bottle, if you can, for elevated flavors in this cocktail.

Check out this guide to picking out a champagne and sparkling wine. 

What kind of triple sec should I use? 

For the triple sec, you can use any orange-flavored liqueur you have on hand.

This ingredient is your opportunity to make this cocktail shine though, so I recommend a fancier one like Cointreau or Grand Marnier if you can splurge! 

How about that garnish?

Freeze your cranberries ahead of time because they will act as ice cubes and will help keep your drinks cold! 

If you’re feeling fancy, chill your liquid ingredients ahead of time and garnish with these amazing sugared cranberries for a frosted look for your drink! 

Optionally, you can use an orange twist for a garnish if you don’t have fresh cranberries on hand. 

This Poinsettia Champagne Cocktail would be so cute and easy to serve for your NYE party! If you need more ideas, try this list of 18 New Year’s Eve Cocktails!

(Or to make for yourself if you’re just chilling at home like me. No shame in that game!) // susannah