Cocktails - A Couple Cooks

Espresso Martini

Sonja Overhiser — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 14:43:00 +0000

Learn how to make the perfect Espresso Martini at home! Made with real espresso, vodka, and Kahlua, this classic cocktail combines rich coffee flavor with a luxurious frothy top.

The Espresso Martini is a classic cocktail that vaulted into massive popularity in the early 2020’s, and it’s easy to see why! Bittersweet coffee pairs perfectly with the rich sweetness of Kahlua to makes a frothy and sophisticated drink (we can’t resist it on a cocktail menu!).

As cocktail experts and coffee enthusiasts who’ve developed hundreds of cocktail and coffee drinks, Alex and I are excited to share our perfected version of this modern classic. Here are our best tips for how to make an Espresso Martini at home—including tips, tricks and variations!

Key ingredients

There are several variations on an Espresso Martini recipe. The original version had two types of coffee liqueur and simple syrup. Our version of the Espresso Martini balances four key elements:

Fresh espresso for authentic coffee flavor and the signature frothy top
Premium vodka provides a clean base
Kahlua and simple syrup in the perfect ratio make a balanced sweetness

The result is a cocktail that’s smooth, creamy, and indulgent, perfect for everything from happy hour to an after-dinner treat.

The story behind the drink

The Espresso Martini is a vodka martini made with coffee, known for its rich flavor and frothy topping. It was invented in 1983 by bartender Dick Bradsell in London for a customer who asked for a drink to wake her up.

Apparently the coffee machine was right next to the drink station, so he combined freshly made espresso with vodka and coffee liqueur. The result was an instant classic that’s seen a massive revival since 2021.

Pro tips for an Espresso Martini

The only part about an Espresso Martini that takes some time is making the coffee. Otherwise, it’s a simple formula of shake and strain. Here’s how to make an espresso martini:

Step 1: Make the espresso using an espresso maker (or French Press). You can also use 2 tablespoons double strength coffee or cold brew concentrate. Place the coffee in the freezer until it is room temperature.

Step 2: Place the espresso, 2 oz vodka, 1 oz Kahlua, and ½ oz simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add 1 handful ice and shake vigorously for 20 seconds to create the creamy top.

Step 3: Strain into a martini glass and garnish with three coffee beans.

Variation without simple syrup

Simple syrup rounds out the flavors in this Espresso Martini and makes for a balanced drink. If you prefer less sweetness in your drinks:

Use half the simple syrup, which still lets the flavors shine.
Make this Espresso Martini recipe with no simple syrup. Kahlua has added sugar, so combining it with vodka and espresso still makes for a sweet and balanced drink.

Tip: Another variation is making a Frozen Espresso Martini with ice in a blender (our favorite!).

Methods for the espresso

To add the coffee to an Espresso Martini, here are a few methods we like to use:

Espresso: You can use an espresso machine or portable espresso maker to make an espresso shot, or make French press espresso.
Strong coffee or Moka Pot: Make strong coffee using double the grounds of your regular method. Or use a Moka Pot (Bialetti) to make strong coffee.
Cold brew concentrate: We like making an Espresso Martini using cold brew concentrate. The concentrate is very strong, already chilled, and has a similar flavor to espresso.

Want more cocktail ideas? The Espresso Martini is on our list of the top 50 Most Popular Cocktails.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an espresso machine to make an Espresso Martini?

While freshly brewed espresso is ideal for the most authentic flavor, you can use strong brewed coffee or even cold brew concentrate as a substitute. Just make sure it’s chilled before adding it to the cocktail shaker.

What’s the best way to get a frothy top on my Espresso Martini?

The key to a good froth is shaking the cocktail vigorously with ice in a cocktail shaker.

What are the three coffee beans on top for?

The three coffee beans are a traditional garnish for Espresso Martinis. They are said to represent health, wealth, and happiness. Some people also believe the number three is a symbol of luck.

Does Kahlua have dairy?

Kahlua is a coffee liqueur that’s made in Mexico. It’s made with rum, sugar and coffee. It does have some caffeine, but only about 25% as much as the same volume of coffee. The standard Kahlua is dairy-free, vegan and plant-based: it contains only rum, sugar and coffee.

What is a substitute for Kahlua?

You can also use other types of coffee liqueur, like Tia Maria or Sheridan’s.

Does an Espresso Martini have caffeine?

Yes! This coffee martini has caffeine from the coffee and the Kahlua. The espresso contributes 64 mg caffeine and the Kahlua 2.5 mg, for a total of about 66 mg in this drink. This is about 70% the amount of caffeine in 1 cup of coffee (95 mg).

Espresso Martini Recipe

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Learn how to make the perfect Espresso Martini at home! Made with real espresso, vodka, and Kahlua, this classic cocktail combines rich coffee flavor with a luxurious frothy top.

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 drink
Category: Drink
Method: Shaken
Cuisine: Cocktails
Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

1 ½ ounces vodka
1 ounce coffee liqueur (Kahlua, Tia Maria, or other)
1 ounce room temperature espresso (or strong coffee or cold brew concentrate)
½ ounce simple syrup*
3 coffee beans, to garnish

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Instructions

Make the espresso or strong coffee. Place it in the freezer until room temperature.
Add the vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker and fill it with ice. Shake vigorously for about 20 seconds to create the frothy top.
Strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with coffee beans.

Notes

*Simple syrup rounds out the flavors and makes for a balanced, sweet drink. For a less sweet spin, you can use ¼ oz or make an Espresso Martini without simple syrup entirely.

To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons.

More coffee cocktails

Are you into spiked coffee? Boozy coffee drinks combine the beautiful bittersweet flavor of coffee into fantastic mixed drinks. Here are some of our favorite coffee cocktails:

Mix up a White Russian or Black Russian, classic cocktails made with vodka and Kahlua.
Try a classic Irish Coffee, or other spiked coffees like Amaretto Coffee, Kahlua Coffee, Spanish Coffee or a Carajillo.
Try the Espresso Margarita instead.

Espresso Margarita

Kahlua Coffee

Classic Irish Coffee

White Russian

Pineapple Margarita

Sonja Overhiser — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 16:34:00 +0000

This pineapple margarita is a tropical spin on the classic! The winning combination of pineapple, tequila, and lime makes a refreshing cocktail bursting with flavor.

Here’s a tropical drink that marries the perfect combination of pineapple, tequila and lime: the pineapple margarita! Over the years, Alex and I have become experts in all the margarita recipes, from the classic to the more funky and off-the-wall.

Here, sweet pineapple goes hand in hand with the sharp bite of the tequila and zingy lime. Add Cointreau orange liqueur to the mix, and it’s a burst of tropical flavor. It’s just as easy as our classic margarita but makes an even bolder statement (we think).

Ingredients in a pineapple margarita

The classic margarita recipe was invented back in the 1930’s, a simple mix of lime juice, orange liqueur (triple sec or Cointreau), and tequila. We’re margarita purists so this pineapple margarita is spin on that classic formula, where the sweetness of the pineapple juice and the hint of sugar in the Cointreau create the perfect sweet tart flavor. If you prefer a sweeter margarita, you can always add simple syrup or agave syrup. Here are the ingredients you need for a pineapple margarita:

Pineapple juice
Tequila (use blanco or reposado)
Cointreau (or triple sec)
Fresh lime juice

Tips and tricks for this recipe

Here are a few quick tips for a pineapple margarita (or go to the recipe):

Ice and a salt rim: This pineapple margarita is “on the rocks,” meaning it’s served over ice. It’s a classic “shaken” cocktail you can mix up in a cocktail shaker. The salt rim is optional, but it adds just the right searing saltiness to each sip. Using clear ice gives it a craft cocktail feel.
Garnish ideas: We like to garnish with a fresh pineapple wedge, but that’s just for looks! You can also use a lime wedge or even a drink umbrella.
Pitcher variation: Instead of making single drinks, mix up a big pitcher of 8 servings at once. In the recipe below, use cups instead of ounces for the measurement, pour it into a big pitcher and stir in 3 handfuls ice.

The best tequila for margaritas

You can use any type of tequila in pineapple margaritas. Our rule of thumb is to buy a mid-price range bottle: the price usually corresponds to the quality of liquor! Look for 750 ml bottles in the range of $22 to $35. You can use either blanco or reposado tequila here.

Tequila blanco (or “new” tequila) has been aged less than 2 months and has a strong, straightforward flavor.
Tequila reposado (“rested” in Spanish) is aged longer, from 2 to 12 months. It has a more nuanced flavor, with notes of oak and vanilla.

Love pineapple? Try all our pineapple juice cocktails, like the tropical Pineapple Rum Cocktail or Pineapple Vodka Cocktail.

Frequently asked questions

My pineapple margarita is too sweet or tart! How can I adjust it?

Taste your margarita as you go. If it’s too sweet, add a little more lime juice for tartness. You can also add a bit of simple syrup or agave nectar in the recipe.

What’s the best way to rim a glass for a pineapple margarita?

For a classic touch, rim your glass with coarse kosher salt. Or, try our homemade margarita salt for the salt rim: the green and orange from the citrus peel look beautiful against the yellow drink.

Tajín is another great option for the rim, a Mexican seasoning blend that adds a burst of tangy, spicy flavor.

Can I make a frozen pineapple margarita?

Yes, go to our Frozen Margarita recipe and substitute 4 cups frozen pineapple for the ice.

Pineapple Margarita Recipe

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This pineapple margarita is a tropical spin on the classic! The winning combination of pineapple, tequila and lime makes a killer cocktail.

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 drink
Category: Drink
Method: Shaken
Cuisine: Cocktails
Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

1 ½ ounces (3 tablespoons) tequila blanco or reposado*
2 ounces (¼ cup) pineapple juice
¾ ounce (1 ½ tablespoons) Cointreau
¾ ounce (1 ½ tablespoon) fresh lime juice
Kosher salt, flaky sea salt, or margarita salt for the rim (optional)
Ice, for serving (try clear ice)
For the garnish: pineapple wedge

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Instructions

Cut a notch in a lime wedge, then run the lime around the rim of a glass. Dip the edge of the rim into a plate of salt (or for a festive look, use Margarita Salt).
Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and fill it with ice. Shake until cold. (For a sweeter margarita, taste and add a hint of simple syrup or agave syrup, to taste.) Strain the margarita into the glass with the salted rim. Fill the glass with ice and serve.

Notes

Pitcher variation: To make a pineapple margarita pitcher that serves 8, mix together in a pitcher: 1 ½ cups tequila, 2 cups pineapple juice, ¾ cup Cointreau, and ¾ cup lime juice. Add 3 handfuls of ice and stir until cold. Pour into glasses and serve!

For a sweet margarita: Add simple syrup or agave syrup, to taste, starting with 1 teaspoon and gradually increasing.

For a spicy margarita: Add 3 to 4 slices jalapeño pepper to the cocktail shaker, or go to Pineapple Jalapeno Margarita or Spicy Pineapple Margarita.

Rim variations: Try margarita salt or a Tajín rim, a Mexican seasoning blend of chili peppers, lime, and salt that adds a burst of tangy, spicy flavor.

Spicy variation: add jalapeño pepper

Want to mix up this pineapple margarita? Make it spicy! Add 3 to 4 jalapeño pepper slices when making the cocktail, or go this Pineapple Jalapeno Margarita and Spicy Pineapple Margarita. The heat and tangy brightness of the pepper pairs perfectly with the tropical pineapple.

More margarita recipes you’ll love

Want more margarita ideas? We have lots more where this comes from. Here are some margarita recipes to try:

Classic: Simple Margarita, Cointreau Margarita, Patron Margarita or Triple Sec Margarita
Boozy: Mezcal Margarita or Cadillac Margarita
Fruity: Mango, Peach, Blackberry, Watermelon or Grapefruit Margarita
Light: Skinny, Virgin, or Frozen
Spicy: Jalapeno Margarita
Unique: Italian, Blue or Beer

Gin Fizz Cocktail

Sonja Overhiser — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 22:01:00 +0000

Try the refreshing gin fizz: sweet and tangy with a frothy egg white foam topping. This classic cocktail is simple to make at home with our step-by-step guide on how to get tall and fluffy foam!

Ever had a gin fizz? To us, it’s one of the best uses of a bottle of gin around (really). This classic cocktail is perfectly balanced, both sweet and tart with a pop of lemon and a botanical finish. Add to that a frothy egg white foam topping, which adds a creamy smoothness to each sip.

Even better, it takes only 5 minutes to shake up! As two cocktail experts, this was one of the first cocktails we learned to make. We love tangy cocktails like margaritas and whiskey sours, so this tangy sweet fizzy drink is right up our alley.

Gin fizz ingredients

The gin fizz is a classic cocktail made with gin, lemon, simple syrup and soda water. The first printed recipe was in an 1876 cocktail book, and the drink became very popular in the 1900’s. It’s a textbook sour cocktail that combines citrus, liquor and sweetener, with an optional frothy egg white foam topping. The gin fizz ingredients are:

2 oz gin
¾ oz lemon juice
½ oz simple syrup
1 egg white
Soda water

How the egg white foam works

Bartenders have been adding egg whites to cocktails since the 1860’s: they add a frothy texture and give each sip a creamy rich flavor, balancing the sharpness of the citrus. For the gin fizz you’ll do what’s called a dry shake to make the frothy layer of foam (like with other classic egg white cocktails like the Boston Sour or Pisco Sour). Here’s how it works:

Shake the drink ingredients without ice first. This lets the protein in the egg begin to form foam, instead of being diluted by the ice.
Add ice and shake again. This cools the drink and strengthens the foam. Strain it into the glass and you’ll get a thick, white frothy layer.
A simple trick for increasing the foam in a gin fizz: Add a spring to the inside of the cocktail shaker! This helps to agitate the ingredients even more (this really works: we’ve tried it!).

Best type of gin

For a gin fizz, don’t buy the cheapest gin you can find. Try to invest in a mid-price range gin: the drink will only taste as good as the gin you invest in! Here are a few types we like:

Malfy and Beefeater London Dry have a developed, botanical flavor that blends well in cocktails.
Locally distilled gin is a great option. In Indianapolis, we like 8th Day Distillery, Hotel Tango, and Big Heart Gin.
Steer clear of strong flavored sipping gins. For us this includes brands like Tanqueray (very floral) and Opihr (spice-forward), which can overpower the subtlety in gin drinks.

There’s lots more you can do with gin, from classic Gin and Tonic to a Gin Gimlet. See our top Gin Cocktails.

Tip for the soda water

You can buy soda water or club soda for a gin fizz, but you can also make it at home! To make soda water, you can use a home carbonator (we use our SodaStream).

Gin Fizz Cocktail

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Try the refreshing gin fizz: it’s sweet, tangy, and has a frothy egg white foam topping. This classic cocktail is simple to make at home with our step-by-step guide on how to get tall and fluffy foam!

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 drink
Category: Drink
Method: Shaken
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

2 ounces gin
¾ ounce lemon juice
½ ounce simple syrup*
1 egg white**
Garnish with lemon twist (optional)
Soda water

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Instructions

Place the gin, lemon juice, syrup and egg white in a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
Fill the shaker with ice and shake for 30 seconds until cold.
Strain the drink into a glass and top with the soda water; the egg white foam forms on top. If desired, garnish with a lemon twist. Serve immediately.

Notes

*Maple syrup is our favorite substitute for simple syrup in a cocktail; it adds subtle caramel notes without tasting like maple.

**For vegan, substitute 2 tablespoons aquafaba, the liquid from a can of chickpeas.

To convert to ounces, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons

Egg white substitutes

If you prefer not using raw eggs in your cocktails, you can substitute aquafaba, the liquid in a can of chickpeas. It’s a starchy liquid that works perfectly as an egg white substitute.

Use 2 tablespoons of aquafaba in this gin fizz recipe as an equivalent to an egg white. Another popular egg white substitute for cocktails is this Fee Brothers Cocktail Foamer.

Variations on the gin fizz

There are a few famous variations on the gin fizz you must try if you love this recipe:

The Ramos Gin Fizz was invented in New Orleans in the 1880’s and tastes like lemon meringue pie. It adds lime juice, heavy cream and orange blossom water to the classic formula.
The Sloe Gin Fizz is a fruity spin on the classic, swapping out the gin for sloe gin.
A Tom Collins has the same ingredients without the egg white, and a Gin Sour has the same ingredients without the soda water.
A Bee’s Knees has similar ingredients, but swaps in honey syrup for simple syrup.

Ramos Gin Fizz

Sloe Gin Fizz

Tom Collins Cocktail

Gin Sour

Pickle Martini

Sonja Overhiser — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 14:00:00 +0000

Calling all pickle lovers! Here’s the cocktail of your dreams: the dill pickle martini! Essentially a dirty martini with pickle juice, it’s a fun spin on the classic that infuses a briny, salty flavor.

The other day we were out at a restaurant and something on the cocktail menu sparked our interest: a “pickle martini.” Since Alex and I are lovers of all things dill pickles and authors of hundreds of cocktail recipes, of course we had to give it a try.

This drink tastes exactly how it sounds—adding pickle juice to a dry martini infuses it with briny, salty flavor. It makes for one irresistible sip (at least for pickle lovers!). Here’s how to make one for yourself!

Ingredients in a pickle martini

A pickle martini is simply a dirty martini with pickle juice instead of olive brine. You’ll need to dial up the pickle juice for it to shine through, so it uses double the pickle juice versus our dirty martini recipe. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

2 ounces gin
½ ounce dry white vermouth
1 ounce dill pickle juice (brine)

Best type of gin

A pickle martini will only taste as good as the gin you invest in! We recommend using a mid-priced gin here. Here are a few notes on types we like:

Malfy and Beefeater London Dry have a developed, botanical flavor that blends well in cocktails.
Locally distilled gin is a great option! In Indianapolis, we like 8th Day Distillery, Hotel Tango, and Big Heart Gin.
Avoid strong flavored gin. For us this includes brands like Tanqueray gin (very floral) and Opihr gin (spice-forward). These types of gin may not complement the pickle juice.

Serving a pickle martini

A tradition with the classic dry martini: it should be served ice cold. It’s not served with ice, so purists serve it in a chilled glass. Do what suits you here, of course! It’s not necessary, but it makes for an even more sensory experience. You can also serve a martini on the rocks (with ice) in an Old Fashioned glass: but we prefer ours straight up.

For a dill pickle martini, you’ll also want to serve it with a dill pickle or two as a garnish! Using a cocktail pick makes it fit well in the glass.

Pickle Martini

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Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 drink
Category: Drink
Method: No Cook
Cuisine: Cocktails
Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

2 ounces gin
½ ounce dry white vermouth
1 ounce dill pickle juice (brine)
For the garnish: dill pickle

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Instructions

Combine the gin, vermouth, and pickle juice in a cocktail mixing glass (or any other type of glass). Fill the mixing glass with 1 handful ice and stir continuously for 30 seconds until very cold.
Strain the drink into a cocktail or martini glass (purists chill the glass first). Garnish with an mini dill pickle.

More pickle recipes

If you love dill pickles, also try our dill pickle pasta salad, pickle pizza, or dill pickle dip! You can also learn how to make dill pickles or other pickles recipes like pickled red onions, pickled peppers, and more.

Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

Pickle Pizza

Dill Pickle Dip

15 Homemade Pickles Recipes

Christmas Punch

Sonja Overhiser — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 14:00:00 +0000

This delicious Christmas Punch recipe is fruity and delicious! Make it with rum for a punch with alcohol, or omit for non alcoholic.

Need a great punch recipe for the holidays? Try this Christmas Punch! The flavor is fruity and delicious, with a little sparkle from ginger ale. You can make it with rum for a punch with alcohol, or omit it for non alcoholic. Either way, it tastes incredible!

As two drink and cocktail experts, we’re big fans of punches and pitchers because they make it so simple to serve a crowd. Garnish it up with sliced citrus, rosemary branches, and cranberries, and it makes a festive centerpiece for any gather.

Ingredients in this Christmas punch recipe

This Christmas Punch recipe is easy with minimal ingredients, perfect for no-fuss holiday entertaining! When it comes to punch, we’ve found that it’s not any “anything goes” situation. After some careful testing and tweaking, we found the perfect combination of juices, carbonated bubbles, and optional alcohol. Here’s what you’ll need:

Cranberry 100% juice blend: This blend of juices is available at most grocery stores, and typically blends grape, apple, and pear juice with cranberry juice. Make sure to look for “100% juice” or “no sugar added” on the label.
Pineapple juice: Pineapple adds just the right tropical flair; it’s great for using in punch recipes.
Ginger ale: Ginger ale adds just the right carbonation! It’s sweeter than ginger beer, which would also work but has in a spicier ginger flavor.
Rum: This makes it into a Christmas rum punch! But it’s just as good without as a non alcoholic punch.

Make it with rum or non alcoholic

You can add the alcohol right to the Christmas punch, of course! But if you’re entertaining with kids, it’s nice to allow drinkers to spike the drink afterwards. This offers most flexibility—you can serve both an alcoholic and non alcoholic punch at the same time!

Add the rum to the punch bowl. If you’re serving all adults, throw the rum right in.
Or, spike the drink afterwards! The better way to make an alcoholic Christmas punch is to spike the drink after you ladle it out of the punch bowl. This makes it work for both kids and adults! The best ratio is 2 ounces rum (¼ cup) to 8 ounces (1 cup) punch.
Or, serve it as a non alcoholic punch! It’s just as delicious.

Three Christmas punch alcohol options

What’s the best alcohol for Christmas punch? Here are a few options and how it changes the flavor:

Rum: Aged rum, aka añejo rum, has notes of vanilla, coconut, almond, citrus, or caramel. White rum has a straightforward flavor with a signature fruity finish. Dark rum would make the color very dark, but you can use it if you like—it adds deep, caramel flavor and notes of cinnamon and spices.
Bourbon: Bourbon is also ideal for a Christmas punch! Bourbon adds spicy notes, with hints of vanilla and caramel.
Champagne or Prosecco: Or, go for a bubbly punch! Add champagne or Prosecco right before serving (see Holiday Punch).

Ways to garnish the bowl

The best part about a good Christmas punch recipe? All the garnishes! A good punch has some lovely garnishes floating on top. Here are some of our favorite ideas:

Sliced citrus: orange, lemon or lime
Pineapple rings
Whole spices: star anise, cinnamon sticks, or cloves
Rosemary sprigs
Fresh or frozen cranberries or raspberries

Serving notes to preserve the bubbles

This Christmas punch takes just a few minutes to throw together. But if you want to prep some items in advance, here’s what to do!

Chill the liquids in advance. Adding ice waters it down too much, so chill everything prior to serving.
Slice the citrus and assemble the garnishes. Make sure you’ve got everything on hand. Refrigerate the citrus until serving.
Add the ginger ale right before serving. You can pour everything in the bowl, but try to add the ginger ale right before serving. This way you get the best bubbles!

Christmas Punch

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This delicious Christmas Punch recipe is fruity and delicious! Make it with rum for a punch with alcohol, or omit for non alcoholic.

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 12 to 16
Category: Drink
Method: Punch
Cuisine: Drink
Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

64 ounces cranberry 100% juice blend, chilled
32 ounces pineapple juice, chilled
32 ounces ginger ale, chilled
1 750 ml bottle aged rum (optional)*
1 orange
1 lemon
For the garnish: 5 star anise, fresh or frozen cranberries, rosemary sprigs

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Instructions

Add the cranberry juice blend, pineapple juice, and ginger ale to a punch bowl. Add the rum, if using. Garnish with orange and lemon slices, and if desired, cranberries, star anise and rosemary sprigs.

Notes

*Or, make it both alcoholic and non alcoholic! Spike the drink after you ladle it out of the punch bowl: add 2 ounces rum to 8 ounces (1 cup) punch.

More punch recipes

Love entertaining? Here are a few more punch recipes to add to your repertoire that work in various seasons!

Try Holiday Punch or Champagne Punch with beautiful bubbles
Opt for Halloween Punch when the season is right
Go for crisp, cool Milk Punch
Try a single serving Rum Punch

Champagne Punch

Milk Punch

Rum Punch

Holiday Punch

Cranberry Aperol Spritz

Sonja Overhiser — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 15:29:33 +0000

This cranberry Aperol spritz recipe is sweet tart, fruity, and even tastier than a standard Aperol spritz (we think)! It’s simple to make and looks stunning—the idea signature drink for parties or a cozy evening.

Here’s a cocktail recipe that’s so fun and easy, we want to make it in every season: the cranberry Aperol spritz! Using tart cranberry juice tones down the sweet Aperol, making a drink that’s fruity, balanced, and even tastier than a standard Aperol spritz (in our opinion!).

This one is so perfect for parties because you can pour it up right in the glass: no cocktail shaker required! It’s great for fall and winter (we first served it as a Christmas cocktail) but it honestly also works in summer: just add a orange wedge garnish!

Ingredients in a cranberry Aperol spritz

The cranberry Aperol spritz is a spin on the popular Aperol spritz, an Italian aperitif. The concept has been around for hundreds of years, but the Aperol spritz took the form it has today in the 1950’s. This spin simply adds cranberry juice, which balances the flavors in what can be a very sweet drink. Here’s what you need to make a cranberry Aperol spritz:

Aperol: Aperol is an Italian bitter (amaro) with a lightly sweet flavor and notes of herbs and citrus. It was invented in Italy in 1919.
Prosecco: A sparkling white wine from Italy’s Veneto region, known for its delicate flavor and light bubbles. You can use any type of champagne if desired.
Cranberry juice: We like using 100% cranberry juice for the brightest color and pure, tart flavor.

More about the spritz

The spritz is a drink invented in Italy that combines three ingredients: liqueur, sparkling wine (usually Prosecco) and soda water. You can make a spritz of any type using these two ingredients and any mixer of your choosing. The basic spritz ratio is 3 parts sparkling wine, 2 parts liqueur, 1 part soda water. This cranberry version omits the soda water and adds cranberry juice.

The most popular spritz is an Aperol Spritz, but you can also make a Limoncello Spritz, Campari Spritz, and St Germain Spritz (also called the Hugo).

Making multiple servings at once

The cranberry Aperol spritz is perfect for parties, and it’s easy to make several servings at once! Here’s what to know:

If you’re making 2 drinks, a mini bottle is perfect—it holds 187 mL or about 6 ounces! For 4 drinks, use a half bottle 375 ml (12 oz).
A 750 ml bottle of Prosecco is 25 ounces, enough for 8 drinks.
If you’re serving 8, mix up 1 ½ cups Aperol and 1 ½ cups cranberry juice. Into each glass, pour 3 ounces (6 tablespoons) of the mixture and top with 3 ounces Prosecco.

Garnishing a cranberry Aperol spritz

The cranberry Aperol spritz is a great fall cocktail or winter cocktail, but it also works in warm weather as summer cocktail, depending on the garnishes. If you want to take it over the top, try the following:

Throw in a straw. A gold straw work well here; it also helps to minimize dilution.
Serve with clear ice. This ice is crystal clear, with none of the cloudiness of normal ice. You can cut large chunks and they look just like a fancy bar! All you need is 24 hours. See How to Make Clear Ice.
Add a citrus wedge and frozen cranberries. Lemon or orange works great!
Add herbs. In winter use a rosemary sprig. If serving in summer, a sprig of thyme or mint would work perfectly.

Cranberry Aperol Spritz

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This cranberry Aperol spritz recipe is sweet tart, fruity, and even tastier than a standard Aperol spritz (we think)! It’s simple to make and looks stunning—the idea signature drink for parties or a cozy evening.

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 drink
Category: Drink
Method: No Cook
Cuisine: Cocktail
Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

1 ½ ounces Aperol, chilled
1 ½ ounces unsweetened 100% cranberry juice, chilled
3 ounces Prosecco or other sparkling wine, chilled (see Notes)*
Ice (try clear ice!)
For the garnish: Frozen cranberries, orange wedge, rosemary (optional)

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Instructions

Add the Aperol to a glass filled with ice and stir. Top with the cranberry juice and Prosecco.
If desired, stir gently, then serve. Add frozen cranberries and an orange wedge as a garnish (and rosemary if desired).

Notes

A 750 ml bottle of Prosecco is 25 ounces, enough for 8 drinks. If you’re making 2 drinks, a mini bottle is perfect—it holds 187 mL or about 6 ounces! For 4 drinks, use a half bottle 375 ml (12 oz).

Serving 8 drinks: Mix up 1 ½ cups Aperol and 1 ½ cups cranberry juice. Into each glass, pour 3 ounces (6 tablespoons) of the mixture and top with 3 ounces Prosecco (from a 750 ml bottle).

More cranberry cocktails

A few more cranberry cocktail recipes to use up your cranberry juice: we love a good Cosmopolitan. Or try a vodka cranberry, cranberry Moscow mule, cranberry margarita, or cranberry bourbon cocktail.

Cosmopolitan Cocktail

Cranberry Moscow Mule

Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail

15 Top Cranberry Cocktails

Poinsettia (Cranberry Champagne Cocktail)

Sonja Overhiser — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 13:00:00 +0000

A Poinsettia drink is a cranberry champagne cocktail that’s vibrant and refreshing. It’s great for entertaining—the perfect winter or holiday drink!

Ready for the most vibrant, stunning cocktail for cool weather entertaining? Enter the Poinsettia, a cranberry champagne cocktail! Its brilliant color and cozy vibe makes it the perfect fall cocktail or winter drink.

It makes any occasion more fun, from Thanksgiving to holiday parties to Christmas to New Year’s Eve drinks. Of course, you can serve it any time of the year too! It uses only a few simple ingredients. Let’s get started!

Ingredients in a Poinsettia drink

The Poinsettia drink is festive, perfect for entertaining, and even better: uses only a few ingredients. It’s a cranberry champagne cocktail, so you can call it that if you prefer.

The Poinsettia is perfect for winter and fall when cranberries are in season. With its vibrant color, it’s fantastic for the holidays as a holiday party drink, Christmas drink, and New Year’s Eve drink. But you can make it any time of the year! Here’s what’s in this cranberry champagne cocktail:

Cointreau (or other orange liqueur)
Cranberry juice
Champagne

That’s it! Of course, the garnish is what takes it over the top. All you’ll need is a few rosemary branches and some fresh whole cranberries. You can use the leftovers for holiday decorations like a table centerpiece or try them in our moist and citrusy cranberry orange bread.

Want more bubbly drink ideas? Try more champagne cocktails, like a French 75, The Classic Champagne Cocktail, Chambord & Champagne, Black Velvet, and a St Germain Cocktail.

Make sure to find 100% cranberry juice

The most important thing to note with the Poinsettia drink is this: make sure to find 100% cranberry juice! There are lots of variations of cranberry juice on the shelf, and many of them have added sugar. If you find bottles labeled cranberry juice cocktail: stay away! It has added sugars or high-fructose corn syrup for extra sweetness.

Alex accidentally bought the sweet stuff when making this cranberry champagne cocktail recipe. Sadly, it turned out tasted overly sweet and “fake” tasting. When we looked at the bottle: it wasn’t 100% juice! I dashed off to the store and we remade it with 100% cranberry juice. It tasted perfectly crisp and tart: exactly what we wanted! So make sure to check the label and find 100% cranberry juice for the Poinsettia.

Can you make a non-alcoholic Poinsettia drink?

You absolutely can make this Poinsettia drink without alcohol! All you have to do is substitute non-alcoholic sparkling cider, grape juice, or wine for the champagne and orange juice for the Cointreau. These days there are some great non-alcoholic sparkling wine options on the market. You could also try this Cranberry Mocktail with ginger beer.

Making mocktails or 0 proof cocktails is perfect for including people who don’t drink alcohol, pregnant women, or kids. Our kids always wants to drink what we’re drinking—so you could make up some kiddie cranberry champagne cocktails for the young ones!

Poinsettia Drink (Cranberry Champagne Cocktail)

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A Poinsettia drink is a cranberry champagne cocktail that’s vibrant and refreshing. It’s great for entertaining—the perfect winter or holiday drink!

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 drink
Category: Drink
Method: Cocktail
Cuisine: Cocktails

Ingredients

2 tablespoons Cointreau, or other orange liqueur
4 tablespoons 100% cranberry juice (unsweetened)
1/2 glass champagne (6 tablespoons)*
For the garnish: 1 rosemary sprig, whole cranberries

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Instructions

Place the cointreau and cranberry juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake 15 seconds until cold. Strain the liquid into a champagne flute. (You can skip this step if the cranberry juice is well chilled.)
Top off the glass with champagne (no need to measure). Garnish and serve. (Note: You can also make a large batch of cointreau and cranberry juice ahead if desired, then measure out 6 tablespoons per glass.)

Notes

*You’ll get about 8 to 10 drinks per 1 bottle of champagne. Make it non-alcoholic by using non-alcoholic sparkling wine.

More cocktails with cranberry juice

If you have leftover cranberry juice, there are lots of great cranberry cocktail recipes to make with it! Here are a few ideas:

The popular Cosmopolitan cocktail pairs cranberry juice with Cointreau and lime.
This vodka cranberry cocktail is one of the easiest cocktails there is!
Try a cranberry Aperol spritz or Cranberry Mimosa with bubbles.
A Rum & Cranberry is like a rum spin on a Cosmo!
The Vodka Spritzer is a fun party drink.
The Madras, Sea Breeze and Bay Breeze are other simple cranberry cocktails.

Cranberry Aperol Spritz

Cosmopolitan Cocktail

Sea Breeze Cocktail

15 Top Cranberry Cocktails

Pomegranate Gin Fizz

Sonja Overhiser — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 14:53:00 +0000

This Pomegranate Gin Fizz is a tasty cocktail with a sweet tart flavor and frothy topping! Impress everyone with this brilliant drink.

This post was created in partnership with POM Wonderful. All opinions are our own.
Here’s an impressive cocktail that’s pretty darn perfect, in our opinion: this Pomegranate Gin Fizz! The Gin Fizz is one of our favorite classic cocktails: sweet tart and refreshing, with a festive egg white foam. Take it over the top with this pomegranate spin: it elevates the sweet tart flavor and gives the drink a brilliant jewel-toned color! Here we used POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice to make this deliciously festive cocktail. It will impress absolutely everyone (we promise!): for the holidays or in any season.

Ingredients in this pomegranate gin cocktail

This Pomegranate Gin Fizz cocktail takes the classic Gin Fizz and steps it up a notch! The bold flavor of the pomegranate juice brings just the right compliment to the gin and lemon. Even better, it infuses the most beautiful ruby red color to the drink. Here’s what you’ll need for this pomegranate cocktail:

POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice
Gin
Lemon juice
Simple syrup
Egg white*
Soda water (club soda)

*Want a vegan substitute? You can use aquafaba, the liquid from a can of chickpeas! Just substitute 2 tablespoons aquafaba for the egg white.

Using pomegranate juice in cocktails

As much as we love whipping up classic cocktails, we also love making fun spins on the originals! Pomegranate is ideal for making fruity riffs on the classics. Our favorite juice on the market is POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice. Here’s why it’s great for drinks and cocktails:

It’s 100% juice. POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice contains only the juice of whole-pressed pomegranates and no added sugar, fillers or preservatives.
The flavor is ideal for elevating cocktails. It’s a little sweet and a little tart: perfect for melding with other flavors.
The color is brilliant. We eat and drink with our eyes! The deep ruby red color makes the perfect elevated cocktails for entertaining friends and family.

How to make an egg white foam: the dry shake

Adding egg whites in cocktails might seem retro, and it is: it’s a tradition that dates back to the 1860’s! The foam adds a frothy texture to the top of the drink and a creamy rich flavor to each sip. Classic drinks like the Gin Fizz, Ramos Gin Fizz and Whiskey Sour are traditionally served with this frothy topping. The key to an egg white foam is a special technique called a dry shake. Here’s how it works:

Shake the drink ingredients without ice first. This lets the protein in the egg begin to form the foam, instead of being diluted by the ice.
Then add ice and shake again. This cools the drink and strengthens the foam. Strain it into the glass and you’ll get a thick, white frothy layer. (As a note: citrus is required for the foam formation: so you’ll need the lemon in combination with the pomegranate.)

More pomegranate cocktails

Pomegranate juice is ideal for creating jewel-toned drinks for winter and fall entertaining! Whether it’s holiday party drinks or Christmas Eve cocktails, this pomegranate gin cocktail is perfect. But if you’re looking for more ideas, here are some more festive pomegranate cocktails that fit the bill:

Try this vibrant Pomegranate Punch
Opt for a Pomegranate Margarita or Pomegranate Cosmo
Go for the classic Pomegranate Martini or bubbly Pomegranate Mimosa
Make a Pomegranate Mojito

Pomegranate Margarita

Pomegranate Mimosa

Pomegranate Cosmo

Pomegranate Mojito

Pomegranate Gin Fizz

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This Pomegranate Gin Fizz is a tasty cocktail with a sweet tart flavor and frothy topping! Impress everyone with this brilliant drink.

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 drink
Category: Drink
Method: Shaken
Cuisine: Cocktails
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

2 ounces* gin
1 ½ ounces POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice
½ ounces lemon juice
¾ ounce simple syrup
1 egg white**
1 ounce soda water
For the garnish: rosemary sprig (optional)

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Instructions

Place the gin, POM juice, lemon juice, simple syrup and egg white in a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
Fill the shaker with ice and shake for 30 seconds until cold.
Strain the drink into a glass and top with the soda water; the egg white foam forms on top. If desired, garnish with a rosemary sprig. Serve immediately.

Notes

*To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons

*For vegan, substitute 2 tablespoons aquafaba, the liquid from a can of chickpeas.

Christmas Mule

Sonja Overhiser — Sun, 01 Dec 2024 14:30:00 +0000

This Christmas Mule is a festive twist on the classic Moscow Mule, starring cranberry juice, peppermint schnapps, and ginger beer for a merry holiday treat.

Need a Christmas cocktail that’s quick and easy? Try the Christmas Moscow mule! This spin on the classic Moscow mule is a zingy, festive combination of cranberry juice, vodka, peppermint schnapps and ginger beer.

It’s so simple you can build it right in the glass, no cocktail shakers required! Alex and I love making this holiday drink, and the hint of peppermint on the finish makes everyone say, “What’s in this?” Here are a few tips (or go right to the recipe!).

Ingredients in a Christmas Moscow mule

The classic Moscow Mule is one of the most popular cocktails of all time, invented in the 1940’s. This combination of vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer is always served in a copper mug. The Christmas spin on the classic has cranberry juice for a seasonal flavor and color, and peppermint for holiday flair. Though they’re an unexpected combination, the mint, berry and ginger all work incredibly well together! The ingredients you’ll need for a Christmas Moscow mule are:

Vodka
Peppermint schnapps
100% all natural cranberry juice (no sugar added)
Ginger beer
Simple syrup

Why to find 100% cranberry juice

For all our cranberry cocktail recipes, we like to use 100% all natural cranberry juice instead of sweetened juice. This makes a pure, super tart berry flavor that you can sweeten to taste. It also makes a brilliant red color (hard to see in a mule in a mug, but it’s there!). Here’s what to know:

100% all natural cranberry juice is all juice: it’s not sweetened like bottles labeled “cranberry juice” or “cranberry juice cocktail.” This gives it a pure, tart flavor and a dark red color. You can add then add sweetness to the drink to taste, while amping up the berry flavor.
Cranberry juice is typically sweetened, especially if it’s labeled “as “cranberry juice cocktail.” It’s lighter in color and still tastes good, but the flavor isn’t as pure. Try to find 100% juice if at all possible.

Use copper mugs if you like

Traditionally, a Moscow Mule is always served in a copper mug. Placing the cold drink in a copper mug makes an ice cold rim, which makes the drink taste even colder. It’s so satisfying! Of course, you can use any type of mug for a Christmas mule.

Copper mugs make great gifts, so it’s a fun gift idea for the cocktail lover in your life. Here’s a link to some solid copper mugs on Amazon.

Garnishes for a Christmas mule

This Christmas Moscow mule is at its finest with a fun garnish or two! Here are a few ways to garnish this drink for best presentation:

Rosemary sprigs
Peppermint stick
Fresh cranberries
Cinnamon stick

Dietary notes

This Christmas Moscow mule is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.

Christmas Mule

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This Christmas Mule is a festive twist on the classic Moscow Mule, starring cranberry juice, peppermint schnapps, and ginger beer for a merry holiday treat.

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes
Yield: 1
Category: Drink
Method: Stirred
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

1 ounce vodka
1 ounce peppermint schnapps
1 ounce 100% all natural cranberry juice
½ tablespoon simple syrup (omit if using sweetened cranberry juice*)
4 ounces ginger beer
For the garnish: Rosemary sprig, peppermint stick (optional)

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Instructions

In a copper mug or glass, pour in the vodka, cranberry juice, peppermint schnapps, and simple syrup. Add the ginger beer.
Add ice and garnish with a rosemary sprig and peppermint stick, if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

*100% cranberry juice has no sugar added. If using cranberry juice cocktail, omit the simple syrup. You can also add the simple syrup to taste if you prefer a more tart drink.

**Tip: For advanced prep, pour together the 8x the recipe in a pitcher. Then pour a little over 3 ounces in each glass and top with 4 ounces ginger beer.

More Christmas cocktails

Looking for more fun drinks for the season? Here are a few ideas for Christmas cocktails:

Try this Christmas Martini, a creamy Gingerbread Martini, or a minty Peppermint Martini.
Go for a Christmas Margarita or mix up Christmas Punch.
Opt for a Poinsettia.
Make Hot Buttered Rum or Mulled Wine.

Christmas Martini

Christmas Margarita

Mulled Wine

Gingerbread Martini

Long Beach Iced Tea

Sonja Overhiser — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 22:26:00 +0000

The Long Beach Iced Tea is a fruity variation on the classic cocktail starring cranberry juice! It’s sweet tart and refreshing.

Want a lighter spin on a classic cocktail? Try the Long Beach Iced Tea! This cousin of the Long Island Iced Tea swaps in cranberry juice for cola, making it even more sweet tart and refreshing.

Make it the classic way, and it tastes fresh and zippy from the citrus and cranberry. While this drink is infamously boozy, the recipe below has a comparable alcohol level to many great cocktails!

Ingredients in Long Beach Iced Tea

The Long Island Iced Tea is a highball cocktail made with cola and 5 liquors: vodka, tequila, rum, gin and orange liqueur. The modern version of this cocktail was most likely invented in 1972 by a bartender in Long Island, New York: hence the name.

The “iced tea” refers not to tea as an ingredient, but the brown color of the drink from the cola. A Long Beach Iced Tea swaps in cranberry juice for the cola, giving it a ruby red color and fruity flavor. Some Long Island Iced Tea recipes use sour mix, but we prefer to use real lemon juice and simple syrup for the best pure, refreshing flavor. To make a Long Beach Iced Tea, stir together:

½ oz each vodka, tequila, white rum, gin, and Cointreau
1 oz each lemon juice and simple syrup
2 oz cranberry juice

Why to use unsweetened cranberry juice

This Long Island Iced Tea has the best flavor and color with unsweetened 100% cranberry juice. This is the type we like to use in all our cranberry juice cocktails. Why?

Sweetened cranberry juice (aka cranberry juice cocktail): Classic cranberry drinks like the Vodka Cranberry were originally made with sweetened cranberry juice. It includes sugar and sometimes high-fructose corn syrup, and is very sweet.
Unsweetened cranberry juice (aka 100% cranberry juice): is what we prefer for cranberry cocktails. The flavor is pure and sweet tart, and it allows you to customize the sweetness of your drink to taste. It also has a very bright color compared to the sweetened juice.

Can’t find unsweetened? You can still make this drink with sweetened cranberry juice. Simply cut the simple syrup in half!

Is it extra boozy?

Actually, no! The Long Beach Iced Tea has a total of 2.5 ounces hard alcohol. Most cocktail recipes have 2 to 3 ounces alcohol, so this drink falls within the range of most cocktail recipes.

Liquor substitute ideas

We get it: you might not always have all 5 of these liquors on hand at once! Here are some ideas for substituting one or two of the liquors in a Long Beach Iced Tea:

Vodka, tequila, or gin: Leave one of these out and double one of the other liquors. For example, if you don’t have gin double the tequila. But try to have at least 3 of the 4 main liquors.
White rum: Use another type of rum (aged or dark) if you don’t have white on hand. Or again, you can leave it out and double one of the other liquors.
Cointreau: Use a Cointreau substitute like Triple Sec, Grand Marnier or Orange Curacao.

Long Beach Iced Tea

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5 from 1 review

The Long Beach Iced Tea is a fruity variation on the classic cocktail starring cranberry juice! It’s sweet tart and refreshing.

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 1 drink
Category: Drink
Method: Stirred
Cuisine: Cocktail
Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

½ ounce* vodka
½ ounce tequila
½ ounce white rum
½ ounce gin
½ ounce Cointreau (or other orange liqueur like Triple Sec)
1 ounce fresh lemon juice
1 ounce simple syrup
2 ounces unsweetened 100% cranberry juice**
For the garnish: lemon wedge, fresh mint (optional)
Ice, for serving (try clear ice!)

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Instructions

Combine all ingredients in highball glass. Fill it with ice and stir. Garnish with lemon wedges and fresh mint and serve.

Notes

*1 ounce = 2 tablespoons.

**If all you can find is sweetened cranberry juice, aka cranberry juice cocktail, reduce the simple syrup to ½ ounce.

Long Island iced tea variations

Want a few more variations on the LITT? Here’s the original and a few more ideas:

Try the classic Long Island Iced Tea
Opt for a Blue Long Island Iced Tea with blue curacao
Go for a Toyko Tea with Midori liqueur

Long Island Iced Tea

Blue Long Island Iced Tea

Tokyo Tea

15 Top Prosecco Cocktails

Sonja Overhiser — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 01:59:00 +0000

Here are all the top Prosecco cocktails! These cocktail recipes are sophisticated and classy, perfect for brunch, afternoon, or evening parties—from the mimosa to the French 75.

Got a bottle of Prosecco you want to make even better? Make one of these top Prosecco cocktails! These drinks are extremely versatile: there are options for fruity brunch drinks, sippable afternoon drinks, and classic and sophisticated evening drinks.

Whenever you’re ready to pop open a bottle, there’s a drink for you! As cocktail experts and certified mixologists, we reviewed our cocktail recipes to find all the top ways to use this sparkling wine. Here are our top Prosecco cocktails for any occasion!

Our top Prosecco cocktails

St Germain Prosecco Cocktail

This St Germain Prosecco cocktail is sophisticated and refreshing: floral, botanical, tangy, and bubbly all at once. St Germain is a liqueur made with elderflowers, the small white flowers of an elderberry plant. This bottle of fancy liqueur should be part of your alcohol arsenal: it's perfect for cocktails of all kinds!

Made with: St Germain, gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, Prosecco

Bellini Cocktail

Here’s a Prosecco cocktail that’s full of beautiful fresh flavor: the peach Bellini! The bellini is a classic cocktail that comes from Italy. The combination of bubbly Prosecco and sweet peaches couldn’t be more refreshing! It’s ideal in the summer during peach season, as a signature drink for cocktail hour. And of course, it’s natural for brunch like its cousin the mimosa. Luckily, you can use either fresh or frozen peaches: so you can make it anytime!

Aperol Spritz

Bubbly, citrusy, herbal, subtly bitter and lightly sweet…it's the Aperol spritz! This drink is renowned the world over, reaching max popularity in the 2000’s. But did you know it’s actually a classic cocktail from the 1950’s? This Italian cocktail has been capturing hearts and minds for years. Made the right way: it’s absolutely worth the hype. Also try: Amaro Spritz or Campari Spritz.

Made with: Aperol, champagne, soda water

Prosecco Mimosa

Perhaps the most famous bubbly drink is the mimosa! How to make a perfect mimosa? Use Prosecco instead of champagne for a sweeter, nuanced flavor. Use it with a heavy hand, and add a dash of orange liqueur. It’s tart, just sweet enough, and bubbly as all get out.

Also try: Pineapple Mimosa, Cranberry Mimosa or Apple Cider Mimosa

Made with: Prosecco, orange juice, Cointreau

Negroni Sbagliato

Meet the Negroni sbagliato, a “mixed up” version of the classic cocktail using sparkling wine instead of gin! The lightly sweet champagne against the bitter Campari and sweet vermouth makes for a better balanced flavor than with gin. Who can’t resist a little bubbly?

Made with: Campari, Prosecco, sweet vermouth

Prosecco French 75

A gin Prosecco cocktail is actually a French 75! It’s tangy, bubbly, and a bit botanical. Perfect for entertaining, use it as a brunch drink or a dinner party with friends. Really, any occasion is better with this drink in hand! The flavors are simple and classy.

Made with: Gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, Prosecco

Hugo Cocktail

This Italian Prosecco cocktail is a spin-off on the Aperol spritz and even better, in our opinion. It’s made with delicate floral elderflower liqueur and bubbly Prosecco, which compliment each other perfectly. The bubbly combination transports you right to Northern Italy, where this cocktail was born and is popular to this day.

Made with: St Germain elderflower liqueur, Prosecco, soda water, fresh mint

Kir Royale

Want an easy Prosecco cocktail that’s festive and sophisticated? There’s nothing better than a Kir Royale! This famous French cocktail stars black currant liqueur and sparkling wine: and the berries and bubbles suit each other perfectly. The best cocktail recipes are simple perfection, and there’s nothing better than this 2 ingredient combination. Here’s the backstory behind this famous drink, and a few tricks to making the very best Kir Royale.

Cranberry Prosecco Cocktail

This cranberry Prosecco cocktail has a brilliant color and cozy vibe, and the flavor is tart and refreshing. It uses only a few simple ingredients. Make sure to find 100% cranberry juice for this one, not sweetened.

Made with: Cranberry juice, Cointreau, Prosecco

Vodka & Prosecco (French 76)

The French 75 is one of our favorite cocktails, so it’s high time we’ve discovered its vodka-based cousin. Meet the French 76! This classy cocktail is just as sophisticated as its cousin drink, using vodka instead of the traditional gin. It’s got a light, bright flavor and effervescent bubbles: ideal for any time you need a festive signature drink.

Made with: Vodka, lemon juice, Prosecco, simple syrup

Campari Spritz

Need a light mixed drink? Try the Campari spritz! Bitter and bubbly, this cocktail mixes that popular aperitif with sparkling wine and soda water. What could be more refreshing? Campari is bitter-forward, so this cocktail is a drink is made for Campari lovers. It’s a nice change from the Negroni or Americano.

Made with: Campari, Prosecco, soda water

Old Cuban Cocktail

Want a Mojito topped off with Prosecco? Enter the Old Cuban cocktail: one part Mojito, one part French 75. This mashup cocktail is a modern classic created by a famous bartender in the early 2000’s. It’s minty fresh, with complexity from the bitters and vanilla and coconut notes from the aged rum.

Made with: Mint, lime juice, simple syrup, aged rum, angostura bitters, Prosecco

Amaro Spritz

Looking for a refreshing, bubbly Prosecco cocktail that’s light and carefree? Meet the Amaro Spritz! You may know the renowned Aperol spritz, but you don’t need Aperol to make a spritz! No, the classic spritz works with any Italian bitter: just follow the classic spritz ratio of 3-2-1. With our favorite amaro (Meletti), it’s glowing golden brown and tastes almost like cola, with caramely notes.

Made with: Amaro, Prosecco, soda water

French 77

Try the French 77! This Prosecco cocktail is a spin on the classic French 75 that adds St Germain elderflower liqueur. And dare we say it: it makes this classic cocktail even better. It’s bubbly and effervescent, with the floral undertones and the zing of fresh lemon juice.

Made with: St Germain elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and Prosecco

Pomegranate Prosecco Sparkler

When it comes to festive cocktails…well, this one might take the cake. Try this Pomegranate Mimosa! The combination of sweet tart pomegranate, orange perfume and airy bubbles is extremely satisfying and versatile. Call it a Pomegranate Mimosa in the day and a Pomegranate Prosecco Sparkler in the evening.

Made with: Pomegranate juice, Aperol, Prosecco

Remember, these popular champagne cocktails work with prosecco, too!

Prosecco vs other sparkling wines

Our default for bubbly cocktails is Prosecco, which we prefer over champagne. Why? A great bottle of Prosecco is cheaper than a great bottle of Champagne, because the manufacturing process is easier (read more at Prosecco vs Champagne). Also, we like the flavor even better! Feel free to use whatever sparkling wine you like, just make sure it is “brut” or dry. Here are the differences between some popular sparkling wines:

Prosecco: Italian sparkling wine. It’s a little sweeter than champagne and has lighter bubbles. It’s fruity and flowery, with notes of apple, pear and lemon.
Champagne: French sparkling wine. It tastes bubbly and fruity, with undertones of almond and orange. It’s typically the most expensive sparkling wine.
Cava: Spanish sparkling wine. It has more citrus notes, and is a little more savory and less fruity.

15 Best Prosecco Cocktails

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This Prosecco cocktail is sophisticated and classy, with citrus notes and lots of bubbles. It’s easy to whip up for parties and celebrations!

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes
Yield: 1 drink
Category: Drink
Method: Poured
Cuisine: Cocktails
Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

4 ounces (½ cup) Prosecco
1 ounce (2 tablespoons) Grand Marnier
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Garnish: orange twist

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Instructions

Add the Grand Marnier and lemon juice to a champagne flute and swirl to combine.
Tilt the glass at an angle and pour in the Prosecco. Garnish with an orange twist.

More great cocktail recipes

Here are some of our great cocktails to add to your repertoire:

Classic Margarita The very best classic margarita: lime, tequila and Cointreau. Perfection! Here are 10 more ways to make a margarita.
Favorite Whiskey Sour Recipe This easy whiskey sour recipe is perfectly balanced and so easy to make! Garnish with an orange peel and a cocktail cherry. Or try the stunning Boston Sour.
Best Gin and Tonic Here are the keys to the very best gin and tonic, the most refreshing 2-ingredient cocktail! A few secrets take this crisp, botanical drink over the top.
Tom Collins Cocktail This popular sweet sour cocktail is light and bubbly! Don’t forget the cherry.

Best Simple Margarita

Whiskey Sour

Best Gin and Tonic

Tom Collins Cocktail

Lemon Soda

Sonja Overhiser — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 01:46:00 +0000

Lemon soda is easy to make at home and irresistibly good! Fresh citrus brings a bright pop that’s infinitely better than store bought.

Love citrusy drinks? Then let us introduce you to your new soulmate: this homemade lemon soda! Sure, purchased citrus soda is tasty and refreshing. But make it at home with fresh-squeezed citrus juice and it’s next level!

All you need are 3 ingredients and it comes together in a flash. As two drink experts who have made hundreds of cocktail recipes, Alex and I love making homemade sodas and non-alcoholic options. Make it single serving, or as a pitcher for parties. Here’s how to make this incredible drink!

Ingredients in lemon soda

Canned soda versions of lemon soda are tasty, but they can be overly sweet and have artificial flavors added. So try this lemon soda recipe, aka sparkling lemonade! It’s bubbly and tangy, with just the right zing of the lemon. It tastes natural and authentic, like no store bought version you’ve ever tasted. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

Fresh lemon juice
Simple syrup or maple syrup
Soda water (aka club soda)

The most important part of this recipe is the fresh squeezed lemon juice. Do not use the artificial lemon juice that comes in a bottle: it doesn’t have the same flavor. (Don’t make that substitute in any recipe, really!)

By the glass vs pitcher

You can make DIY lemon soda two ways: by the glass or in a large pitcher! The pitcher is great for entertaining so you don’t need to pour each glass to order. Here’s what to do:

By the glass: Add ¼ cup simple syrup and ¼ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice, then add 1 cup soda water.
Pitcher: Mix up a pitcher that serves 8 1-cup servings. Only do this for a gathering; leftovers don’t last because of the sparkling water.

Cocktails that use lemon soda

Want to use this homemade soda for a cocktail? Great idea. It tastes infinitely better with a DIY soda versus store-bought (trust us: we’ve tested it!). Here are a few cocktails that are traditionally made with lemon soda:

A shandy (or summer shandy) is a British beer cocktail that mixes beer and sparkling lemonade or ginger ale.
The Pimm’s Cup is a British cocktail that’s refreshing and bubbly, featuring Pimm’s No. 1 mixed with citrus soda.

Dietary notes

This lemon soda recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.

Lemon Soda

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Lemon soda is easy to make at home and irresistibly good! Fresh citrus brings a bright pop that’s infinitely better than store bought.

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 drink
Category: Drink
Method: Stirred
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

2 ounces (¼ cup) simple syrup
2 ounces (¼ cup) fresh lemon juice (1 large or 2 small lemons)
8 ounces (1 cup) soda water

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Instructions

Single glass: In the serving glass, stir the simple syrup and lemon juice. Add ice and top with soda water and stir gently to combine. Garnish with lemon wedge and serve with ice (makes 10 ounces or 1 ½ cups).
Pitcher: In a large pitcher, combine 1 ½ cups simple syrup, ½ cups lemon juice, and 6 cups soda water. Add ice and serve (makes 8 1 cup servings).

More DIY soda recipes

There are lots of ways to make DIY soda at home! We love making this refreshing, bubbly drink. Here are a few other sparkling drinks:

Make an Italian cream soda with syrup, soda water and heavy cream.
Try a homemade lemon lime soda or strawberry soda.
Opt for a orange cream soda, go big on citrus with grapefruit soda, or use coffee for a coffee soda.

Italian Soda

Lemon Lime Soda

Strawberry Soda

Orange Cream Soda

Clover Club Cocktail

Sonja Overhiser — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 23:48:00 +0000

Try the classic Clover Club cocktail! It’s tangy and bright pink, with raspberry or grenadine syrup, gin, and an egg white foam on top.

Here’s a sophisticated classic cocktail that steals the show: the Clover Club! This bright pink drink stems back before Prohibition, but it’s just as en vogue today. Sweet raspberry or grenadine syrup combine with zingy lemon and gin to make a perfectly balanced sweet tart drink.

The best part: a classic egg white foam gives a creamy body and frothy texture to each sip! This one’s a unique gin cocktail that’s just plain fun.

Ingredients in a Clover Club cocktail

The Clover Club cocktail is a tangy gin sour cocktail that was first recorded in print in 1908. It was named after a gentleman’s club in Philadelphia called the Clover Club, which included prominent lawyers, writers, and politicians. Later the drink fell out of fashion, but it’s come back in style today with the revival of classic cocktails!

Interestingly, the drink was originally made with grenadine syrup, but today is made with raspberry syrup. The ingredients in a Clover Club cocktail are:

Gin
Raspberry syrup or grenadine
Lemon juice
Egg white

How to make raspberry syrup

By 1917, recipes for the Clover Club started to include raspberry syrup, though the drink was originally made with grenadine. You can buy it at a liquor store or online, but it’s more fun (and tastes better) to make it at home! Here are the basic steps to homemade raspberry syrup:

Place 1 cup sugar and ½ cup water in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook about 1 minute until the sugar dissolves.
Add ½ cup raspberries and cook until the berries break down, about 5 to 6 minutes, turning the heat to low when it starts to boil. Break down the berries with a spatula as needed. Once fully liquid, strain into a jar using a fine mesh sieve and a spatula. Allow to cool and store refrigerated for up to 3 weeks.

Tip: Try raspberry syrup in more raspberry cocktails like the Raspberry Martini, Raspberry Lime Rickey, and Floradora.

How to make a Clover Club cocktail (basic steps)

Once you’ve decided on grenadine vs raspberry syrup, making a Clover Club cocktail is a breeze! Here are the basic steps (or jump to the recipe):

Dry shake: Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Shake for 15 seconds without ice.
Shake: Add ice to the cocktail shaker and shake again for 30 seconds.
Strain: Strain into a glass and garnish. Voila!

Alternative: make it with grenadine

Cocktail connoisseurs may tell you that it’s not a Clover Club unless it’s made with raspberry syrup. But in our research, we found a recipe for the Clover Club printed in the Pittsburgh Press in 1909* that included an egg white, lemon, lime, gin, sugar, and “a pony of grenadine.” It’s easy to find at the grocery or liquor stores, which makes it a nice alternative for the Clover Club. A few things about grenadine:

It’s made with pomegranate. Grenadine is a sweet tart syrup used in cocktails that’s bright red in color. Many people think it’s cherry flavored, but it’s actually made from pomegranate.
You can make it at home. This homemade grenadine is easy to make an has none of the artificial colors and additives.
It’s used in other popular cocktails. It’s most famously used in grenadine cocktails like the Shirley Temple, Singapore Sling, and Tequila Sunrise.

*Per The Last Night on the Titanic by Veronica Hinke

Try homemade grenadine syrup made with pomegranate seeds

The magic of a dry shake

Bartenders have added egg whites to cocktails since the 1860’s, because they add a frothy texture and a creamy rich flavor. The best frothy egg white form is achieved by doing what’s called a dry shake. You’ll use this in lots of classic cocktail recipes with egg whites like the Gin Fizz, Amaretto Sour, and Boston Sour. Here’s how it works:

The first shake without ice lets the protein in the egg begin to form foam, instead of being diluted by the ice.
The second shake with ice cools the drink and strengthens the foam. Strain it into the glass and you’ll get a thick, white frothy layer.

Best gin for a Clover Club

The general rule for gin cocktails: the better the gin, the better the drink. We recommend investing in a mid-price range gin: the drink will only taste as good as the liquor you invest in. Here are a few tips for choosing a brand of gin:

Malfy, Aviation, and Beefeater London Dry have a developed, botanical flavor that blends well in cocktails.
Locally distilled gin is a great option. In Indianapolis, we like 8th Day Distillery, Hotel Tango, and Hi & Mighty Gin.
Steer clear of strong-flavored sipping gins in cocktails. For us this includes brands like Tanqueray gin (very floral) and Opihr gin (spice-forward). These types of gin can overpower the delicate flavors in the Clover Club.

Clover Club Cocktail

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Try the classic Clover Club cocktail! It’s tangy and bright pink, with raspberry or grenadine syrup, gin, and an egg white foam on top.

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 drink
Category: Drink
Method: Shaken
Cuisine: Cocktails
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

3 ounces (6 tablespoons) gin
¾ ounce (1 ½ tablespoon) raspberry syrup or grenadine syrup (purchased or homemade)
1 ounce (2 tablespoons) fresh lemon juice
1 egg white*
For the garnish: lemon twist, fresh raspberries (optional)

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Instructions

Add the gin, raspberry syrup or grenadine, lemon juice, and egg white to a cocktail shaker without ice. Shake for 15 seconds.
Add the ice to the cocktail shaker. Shake again for 30 seconds.
Strain the drink into a cocktail glass; the foam will collect at the top. Garnish with a lemon twist or fresh raspberries.

Notes

*Substitute 2 tablespoons aquafaba (liquid from a can of chickpeas) for a vegan variation.

More sour cocktails

The Clover Club is a sour cocktail: one in the family of drinks that combine liquor, citrus, and sweetener. Here are a few more related sour cocktails:

The Clover Club is similar to a Gin Fizz and Tom Collins; both use lemon, gin and an egg white. The Bees Knees is also similar.
The Tequila Sour, Vodka Sour, Pisco Sour or Gin Sour are all drinks that mix lemon, liquor and an egg white foam.
The Sidecar is one of the best classic cocktails of all time: the perfect balance of Cognac, Cointreau and lemon.
A spin on the Sidecar, the classic Margarita recipe is the most popular tequila cocktail of all time.

Gin Fizz Cocktail

Sidecar Cocktail

Classic Margarita Recipe

50 Most Popular Cocktails

Fuzzy Navel

Sonja Overhiser — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 17:42:00 +0000

Try this Fuzzy Navel recipe, that classic drink that pairs with orange juice and peach schnapps for a refreshingly smooth sip! Here are a few tricks take it to star level.

The Fuzzy Navel has a reputation that precedes it—this fruity party drink is a child of the 1980’s, a marriage of peach schnapps and orange juice. Like many drinks of that era, it’s sweet and uses a trendy ingredient. But guess what? This drink is pretty darn tasty.

In fact, you can make a classy Fuzzy Navel drink to rival any Screwdriver or Harvey Wallbanger! As cocktail experts and certified mixologists, we were surprised to be won over by its “pleasantly peachy” aroma.

Fuzzy Navel ingredients

The Fuzzy Navel is a highball cocktail that mixes peach schnapps and orange juice. It was invented in the 1980’s as a marketing ploy for DeKuyper Peachtree Schnapps. In its colorful name, fuzzy refers to peach fuzz and navel refers to orange—though of course you can let your mind wander to other meanings! The drink was inspired by the classic orange juice and vodka combination in the Screwdriver, and remains popular to this day.

The Fuzzy Navel ingredients are often combined in an equal parts ratio, but that makes for an intensely sweet, searing peach drink. In our opinion, the ratio for a more balanced drink is:

1 part (3 oz) peach schnapps
2 parts (6 oz) orange juice

How to make the best Fuzzy Navel: a few tips!

The Fuzzy Navel is a 1980’s party drink, so there’s really no need to turn it into a sophisticated craft cocktail. At the same time, there are a few things you can do to class it up. Here’s what we recommend for the best Fuzzy Navel recipe:

Use the 1:2 ratio. Equal parts is much too strong; a balanced Fuzzy Navel recipe has less peach schnapps than OJ.
Use no sugar added orange juice or fresh juice. Grab the best quality brand of orange juice you can: no sugar added is a must. Even better, make it with fresh orange juice! You can taste the difference.
Add garnishes. A few orange slices and mint sprigs takes the drink from blah to beautiful.

More about peach schnapps

Peach schnapps is the main ingredient in a Fuzzy Navel. But what actually is it?

Peach schnapps is a type of schnapps made by adding peach flavoring to a clear grain spirit. It was introduced in 1984 under the DeKuyper brand and quickly became the top selling schnapps in America. As a note, we avoid DeKuyper for other liqueurs like triple sec and creme de cassis, since they are on the lower end of the quality spectrum.
What does peach schnapps taste like? The flavor is intensely fruity and peachy. A little goes a long way!
What other drinks use peach schnapps? Use it in place of peach puree in a Bellini, or add a little swig to intensify the flavors in a Peach Margarita. Or, just combine it with bubbles and a squeeze of lime (sometimes called a Fizzy Peachtree).

Make a pitcher for a crowd

Want to make this Fuzzy Navel recipe for a crowd? A pitcher is easy to throw together and takes just a few minutes to make 8 servings. Here’s what to pour together in a pitcher:

2 cups peach schnapps
4 cups orange juice
Add a few handfuls of ice
Orange wheels and mint sprigs, as a garnish

Fuzzy Navel

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Try this Fuzzy Navel recipe, that classic drink that pairs with orange juice and peach schnapps for a refreshingly smooth sip! Here are a few tricks take it to star level.

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 drink
Category: Drink
Method: Stirred
Cuisine: Cocktails
Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

3 ounces (6 tablespoons) peach schnapps*
6 ounces (¾ cup) no sugar added orange juice, fresh squeezed if desired
Ice, for serving (try clear ice!)
For the garnish: orange wedges, fresh mint sprigs (optional)

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Instructions

Single drink: Place the ice into a highball glass. Pour in the peach schnapps and orange juice. Garnish with orange wedges and fresh mint.
Pitcher variation (6 servings): In a large pitcher, add 2 cups peach schnapps and 4 cups orange juice. Add a few handfuls of ice. Garnish with orange wheels and mint sprigs right into the pitcher.

Notes

*If you prefer a sweeter drink, go for 4 ounces of each: but it’s more balanced with this ratio.

There are several cocktails that are related to the Fuzzy Navel, most of them orange juice cocktails! Here are some of its relative drinks:

For a Hairy Navel, swap half of the peach schnapps for vodka.
The Screwdriver is another classic highball brunch drink, starring OJ and vodka.
Try the Harvey Wallbanger, another 1980’s drink with OJ and Galliano.
Invented in the 1920’s, the Mimosa mixes OJ and sparkling wine.
For a Tequila Sunrise, pair OJ and grenadine for a sunrise-colored drink.

Classic Screwdriver

Harvey Wallbanger

Best Mimosa (with Prosecco)

Tequila Sunrise

Pomegranate Mojito

Sonja Overhiser — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 13:00:00 +0000

This pomegranate mojito is bright and beautiful, with a tangy minty flavor! Starring mint and bright red pomegranate juice, it makes a big pitcher that’s perfect for entertaining. This is one of our favorite mojito variations!

When it comes to parties, we’re all about pitcher drinks—especially the Mojito pitcher. But what if it’s fall or winter? Enter the pomegranate mojito! I am not lying when I say this is Alex and my favorite mojito variation to date (out of almost 20!).

Take one sip and the sweet tart, minty flavor is unreal. The bright red color makes a huge statement and it’s so perfect for parties. Garnish it with those cute pomegranate arils for a total wow moment! We’re making this for both Thanksgiving and Christmas because we are obsessed.

Tips for making a pomegranate mojito

This pomegranate mojito is a spin on the classic mojito recipe, using pomegranate juice and done up as a pitcher! Pitcher style drinks are so easy for parties, and they’re faster to whip up than shaking the drink in a cocktail shaker. Here’s what you’ll need to keep in mind:

Allow 30 minutes to steep the mint syrup. For the pitcher drink, you’ll make a mint simple syrup by allowing mint to steep in a warm pot of sugar and water. It takes just minutes of hands on time.
Use 100% pomegranate juice. Using 100% pure juice makes the best sweet tart flavor.
Add soda water just before serving. This preserves the bubbles, which are best when they’re just poured. You can use soda water or club soda.
Garnish with pomegranate arils. They come pre-shelled in the refrigerated section of the grocery, but you can seed your own too (just be careful, it can be messy!). Here’s how to cut a pomegranate.

Make a single drink instead

Want to make a single drink instead of a pitcher? You can do that too. Simply make the mint simple syrup in advance, then the recipe below has the quantities for a single drink.

Storage and make ahead tips

If you’re making a pomegranate mojito for a party, you can make the mint syrup in advance. The flavor is best the fresher it is, but a batch lasts refrigerated for up to 1 month. We suggest making it 24 hours in advance for best flavor. Then mix up the pitcher right before serving.

Ways to serve a pomegranate mojito

This pomegranate mojito recipe is perfect as a fall cocktail, winter drink, Thanksgiving cocktail, Christmas cocktail, and more! You can serve it in a low ball glass, Collins glass, or hurricane glass. We hope you love it as much as we do: let us know in the comments.

Pomegranate Mojito

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This pomegranate mojito is bright and beautiful, with a tangy minty flavor! Starring mint and bright red pomegranate juice, it makes a big pitcher that’s perfect for entertaining. This is one of our favorite mojito variations!

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Rest Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 8 drinks
Category: Drink
Method: No Cook
Cuisine: Cocktails
Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

¾ cup loosely packed mint leaves, plus more for the garnish
¾ cup water
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 cup lime juice (about 8 limes), plus 1 lime for the garnish
2 cups white rum
2 cups 100% pomegranate juice
½ cup soda water or club soda

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Instructions

Add the sugar, water and mint to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and stir until all sugar is dissolved. Turn off the heat and allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes. Then strain it into a large pitcher. (Makes 1 cup simple syrup; make up to 1 week in advance.)
Add the lime juice and rum to the pitcher. Add the extra mint leaves and the extra lime, cut into rounds. Fill the pitcher with 4 handfuls of ice. Gently stir in soda water just before serving.
Single serving variation: In a glass, mix 1 oz lime juice, 1 oz mint syrup, 2 oz white rum, 2 oz pomegranate juice, and a splash of club soda.

More mojito recipes

Try some of our favorite mojito recipes, from our Mojito Pitcher to a Strawberry Mojito, Coconut Mojito, Blueberry Mojito, Pineapple Mojito and more.

Mojito Pitcher Recipe

Frozen Mojito

Pineapple Mojito

Blueberry Mojito

Corpse Reviver

Sonja Overhiser — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 02:51:00 +0000

This Corpse Reviver No 2 recipe is a classic cocktail that’s crisp, tart, and perfectly balanced! It’s one delicious sour cocktail that’s just as unique as its name.

Here’s a classic cocktail that’s as unique as its name—the Corpse Reviver No 2! To be honest, we were a little wary of this cocktail at first because of its moniker. But it turns out that the Corpse Reviver has nothing scary or ghoulish about it. In fact, it’s incredibly tasty.

It’s a classic gin sour cocktail that’s tart and zingy from lemon juice and orange liqueur, with a hint of licorice on the finish. It’s truly stunning—and the name is a fun party trick to impress all your friends.

Ingredients in a Corpse Reviver No 2

So, why is it called a Corpse Reviver? The Corpse Reviver is a family of cocktails with a humorous name: indicating that the strength of the drink was enough to bring a body back from the grave. The most famous Corpse Reviver that’s still popular today is Corpse Reviver No 2,first printed in the renowned Savoy Cocktail book in 1930.

It’s a classic gin sour cocktail, a mixed drink made with liquor, citrus, and sweetener. In fact, the drink is very similar to the makeup of a Margarita or Sidecar. The ingredients in a Corpse Reviver No 2 cocktail are:

Gin
Lemon juice
Cointreau
Dry vermouth or Lillet Blanc
Absinthe

Dry vermouth vs Lillet Blanc

One unique element of the Corpse Reviver is the addition of dry vermouth or Lillet Blanc to the basic formula of a sour cocktail. The original drink was made with Kina Lillet, a wine-based aperitif that is no longer made (production stopped in 1986). So these days, here’s what’s you can substitute:

Dry vermouth: Dry vermouth is a fortified wine and it’s the most basic, easy to find liquor (it’s used in a dry martini and lots of other cocktails).
Lillet Blanc: Lillet Blanc is the modern version of Kina Lillet. It’s is a popular aromatized wine flavored with herbs and citrus. You can use it in lots of cocktails, like a Vesper Martini, Lillet Spritz or Lillet G&T Cocktail.
Cocchi Americano: Many bartenders use Cocchi Americano in a Corpse Reviver these days, since it’s considered the closest to Kina Lillet. This is a more specialty liqueur, so this option is more for cocktail connoisseurs.

More about absinthe

The most unique ingredient in the Corpse Reviver cocktail is absinthe. It was illegal in the US for almost 100 years, and famous painters like Degas, Manet and Picasso have even immortalized it in their paintings. But don’t worry: scientists of today have determined that absinthe is perfectly safe consumed in moderation. Here’s what to know about it:

Absinthe is a green anise-flavored spirit made from botanicals—wormwood, anise, fennel and other herbs—that tastes herbal, with a strong black licorice finish. It was illegal in the US from 1912 to 2007.
Is absinthe hallucinogenic? No! But this is why it was illegal in Europe and the US for almost 100 years. It became very popular in the 1840s, but started to be unfairly associated with violent crimes. Modern research has confirmed absinthe is no more harmful than any other alcohol. (Here are some more absinthe myths to debunk.)
Is it worth buying? Yes, if you’re an adventurous cocktail drinker! It’s in several other classic absinthe cocktails like the Sazerac, La Louisiane and Death in the Afternoon. If you don’t have it, Pastis or Pernod make a good substitute.

How to make a Corpse Reviver No 2

Got all those ingredients? After that, it’s quick and easy to make the Corpse Reviver No 2:

Shake in a cocktail shaker. Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker, add ice, and shake (Don’t have one? Use a mason jar!)
Strain into a glass and garnish. Strain the drink into a cocktail glass, and garnish with an orange or lemon wedge.

Variations on the Corpse Reviver

Want to add a little spin on a Corpse Reviver? Here are a few quick variations to get your wheels turning:

Lavender Corpse Reviver: Stir in a hint of Lavender Simple Syrup (to taste).
Rosemary Corpse Reviver: Stir in a hint of Rosemary Simple Syrup (to taste).

Another drink with a macabre name? Try the Zombie.

Corpse Reviver Cocktail

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The Corpse Reviver No 2 recipe is a classic cocktail that’s crisp, tart and perfectly balanced! It’s one heck of a drink…just as unique as its name.

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 drink
Category: Drink
Method: Shaken
Cuisine: Cocktails
Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

1 ounce gin
1 ounce lemon juice
1 ounce Cointreau (or Grand Marnier)
1 ounce dry vermouth, Lillet Blanc or Cocchi Americano
½ teaspoon absinthe
For the garnish: Orange peel or orange wedge

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Instructions

Add the gin, lemon juice, Cointreau, dry vermouth, and absinthe to a cocktail shaker. Fill it with ice and shake it until cold.
Strain into a cocktail glass. If desired, garnish with an orange peel or orange wedge.

Because the Corpse Reviver is a classic sour cocktail, it’s related to lots of well known drinks. Here are a few that are very similar:

The classic White Lady cocktail is very close to a Corpse Reviver! There’s no Lillet Blanc or absinthe, but otherwise it’s the same (without the egg white).
A Sidecar is also a close relative! It uses Cognac, but the formula is the same (without Lillet Blanc and absinthe).
A Gin Sour and Gin Fizz are similar drinks using gin, lemon and simple syrup.
The Margarita is related; it has tequila and lime instead of gin and lemon.

White Lady Cocktail

Sidecar Cocktail

Gin Sour

Italian Margarita

Sonja Overhiser — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 01:25:00 +0000

This Italian margarita recipe uses amaretto to give this classic cocktail a makeover! Fresh orange juice and almond liqueur bring unique twist to the flavors that’s irresistible.

Want a simple makeover for your drink game? Try this Italian margarita recipe! Just like a Mexican Pizza, this drink is a fusion of the best of Italian and Mexican cuisines: this time in cocktail form!

This Mediterranean version of the classic cocktail swaps out orange liqueur for amaretto, and the almond essence adds a distinctly Italian vibe. Alex and I are big fans of travel in Italy, so of course we had to try the Italian margarita!

Ingredients in an Italian margarita

An Italian margarita is a variation on the classic margarita recipe that uses amaretto in place of the orange liqueur (Cointreau), along with orange juice, lime juice, and tequila. The flavor has almond and citrus notes on the finish, but the beginning of the sip tastes like your favorite margarita. Think of it as a sophisticated version of a margarita, kind of like a Cadillac margarita! Here’s what’s in an Italian margarita:

Tequila
Orange or blood orange juice
Amaretto
Lime juice

Blood orange juice makes a brilliant color

You can use orange juice from a standard navel orange and this Italian margarita turns out with a warm orange color. But for a brilliantly colored cocktail, use blood orange juice! Blood oranges have sweet juice and a bright pink color. We love this spin on it because it’s so eye-catching, just like our blood orange margarita.

If you can find blood oranges, they’re absolutely worth buying. You can also find bottled blood orange juice at many grocery stores. If you like the look but can’t find blood oranges, a drizzle of pomegranate juice or cranberry juice would work too!

Best tequila for an Italian margarita

Many people suggest using tequila blanco for margaritas, but generally we prefer the robust flavor of tequila reposado. Here’s what to know about the best tequila for margaritas

Tequila blanco (silver or white tequila) has been aged less than 2 months and has a strong, straightforward flavor.
Tequila reposado (“rested” in Spanish) is aged longer, from 2 to 12 months. It has a more nuanced flavor, with notes of oak and vanilla.

Either way, try to find a mid-price range tequila when you make an Italian margarita. Look for 750 ml bottles in the range of $22 to $35.

More about amaretto

Amaretto is an almond liqueur that originates from Italy. Today it’s made around the world and is stocked in bars worldwide. It has a distinctive flavor that’s both sweet and bitter (amaretto means in Italian “little bitter”). You may know the flavor from the popular amaretto cookies, a popular Italian sweet.

It’s worth getting a bottle for your shelf: you can use it in amaretto cocktails like an Amaretto Sour, Amaretto Coffee, or a French Connection.

How to make an Italian margarita: step by step

The Italian margarita follows the typical margarita pattern: salt the rim, shake in a cocktail shaker, strain, garnish, serve. Shaking the drink allows it to get thoroughly chilled while slightly diluting the alcohol. Here’s an overview of how to make an Italian margarita (or jump to the recipe below):

Step 1: Rim the glass with salt. Our favorite way is to cut a notch in a lime wedge and run it around the glass. Then dip the glass into a plate of kosher salt or flaky sea salt and rotate until the rim is covered.
Step 2: Shake the tequila, orange juice, lime juice, and amaretto in a cocktail shaker with 4 ice cubes until cold.
Step 3: Strain into the glass and serve. Garnish with an orange and lime wedge. You’ve made your Italian margarita!

Food to serve with Italian margaritas

Quick note: what type of food would you serve with Italian margaritas? You can go either way: Mexican or Italian style!

The drink is pretty tequila-forward, so you could go Mexican and serve with chips, guacamole, and shrimp tacos.
Or, go Italian style with vodka sauce pasta, a chopped salad, and a cheese board with marinated olives.

Two ways to step it up

Last note: here are a few ways to take this Italian margarita over the top! Alex and I love to make these when we have time:

Clear ice is artisanal ice that is perfectly clear (not cloudy), and looks like fancy ice you’d get in a bar. It’s absolutely game changing for your homemade cocktails!
This margarita salt with colorful orange and green of citrus zest is eye-catching and perfect for entertaining.

Frequently asked questions

Is it just a margarita with amaretto?

While amaretto is a key ingredient, an Italian Margarita offers a more complex flavor profile compared to a classic margarita. The amaretto adds a touch of almond sweetness that complements the tequila and lime.

What makes it “Italian”?

Amaretto, a sweet almond liqueur, is originally from Italy. This liqueur adds a distinctive Italian touch to the margarita.

Is it shaken or stirred?

An Italian Margarita is typically shaken with ice to create a frothy texture, similar to a classic margarita.

What’s the best way to rim the glass?

For an Italian touch, dip the rim of the glass in amaretto before coating it with sugar or a coarse salt like sea salt.

Do I have to use blood orange juice?

Not at all! You can use standard orange juice and the drink will be orange in color.

Italian Margarita

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This Italian margarita recipe uses amaretto to give this classic cocktail a makeover! Fresh orange juice and almond liqueur bring unique twist to the flavors that’s irresistible.

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 drink
Category: Drinks
Method: Shaken
Cuisine: Cocktails
Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

2 ounces (4 tablespoons) tequila blanco or reposado*
1 ½ ounces (3 tablespoons) fresh squeezed orange juice or blood orange juice
1 ounce (2 tablespoons) amaretto
½ ounce (1 tablespoon) lime juice
Kosher salt or flaky sea salt (or margarita salt), for the rim
For the garnish: Lime wedge, orange slice
Clear ice, if serving on the rocks

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Instructions

Cut a notch in a lime wedge, then run the lime around the rim of a glass. Dip the edge of the rim into a plate of kosher or flaky sea salt.
Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with 4 ice cubes and shake until cold.
Strain the margarita into the glass with the salted rim. Fill the glass with ice and serve garnished with a lime wedge and orange slice. (Consider using our clear ice for an artisan touch.)

Notes

Using blood orange juice gives the drink a bright red color; you can also use fresh squeezed orange juice for an orange color. Both drinks taste similarly citrusy.

For fun rim ideas, try margarita salt (with orange and lime zest), or a spicy Tajin rim. You could also use superfine sugar for rimming to bring out the sweet notes in the amaretto.

More margarita recipes

Alex and I are big margarita fans over here, so we’ve got lots of spins on this classic drink. Here are some of our favorite margarita recipes:

Go simple with a classic margarita recipe, frozen margarita, Patron margarita, agave margarita, or Cointreau margarita.
Step it up with a Mezcal margarita, beer margarita, jalapeno margarita, or Cadillac margarita.
Go fruity with a pineapple margarita, strawberry margarita, or mango margarita.
Skip the booze for a virgin margarita.

Classic Margarita Frozen Margarita Cadillac Margarita Pineapple Margarita Virgin Margarita Strawberry Margarita Jalapeno Margarita Beer Margarita Patron Margarita Blue Margarita

Death in the Afternoon Cocktail

Sonja Overhiser — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 22:07:00 +0000

Death in the Afternoon is a must-try absinthe cocktail invented by Ernest Hemingway! This easy drink is bubbly with a black licorice finish.

If you’re a cocktail connoisseur, you likely have a bottle of absinthe around. Here’s one of the most fun ways to use it: the Death in the Afternoon cocktail! This iridescent green cocktail stars the combination of absinthe and sparkling wine, and the flavor is delightful: bubbly with that classic black licorice finish.

Invented by Ernest Hemingway himself, it’s a unique drink to pull out to impress guests. Of course, we like it so much we don’t mind sipping on it as a nightcap, either!

Ingredients in the Death in Afternoon cocktail

Death in the Afternoon is a cocktail made with absinthe and champagne invented by the writer Ernest Hemingway. The name comes from his book, Death in the Afternoon, and was first published in a cocktail book in 1935. A key feature of this cocktail its cloudy color. In fact, in the original recipe Hemingway states to “add iced Champagne until it attains the proper opalescent milkiness.” This drink is sometimes called a Hemingway cocktail or Hemingway champagne.

The original Death in the Afternoon cocktail was made with just absinthe and champagne, but over the years it was customary to add some simple syrup. We found it needs just a bit of sweetness to make it palatable. The recipe below has the best ratio of all the ingredients for maximum drinkability and intrigue. The ingredients you need for a Death in the Afternoon are:

1 oz absinthe
4 oz champagne or Prosecco
1 teaspoon simple syrup

What you need to know about absinthe

As you may know, absinthe is quite the controversial liquor. In fact, it was illegal in the US for almost 100 years! It was so iconic that famous painters even depicted it in their paintings (like Picasso). But don’t worry: scientists of today have determined that absinthe is perfectly safe consumed in moderation! Here’s what to know before grabbing a bottle of absinthe:

Absinthe is a green anise-flavored spirit made from botanicals: wormwood, anise, fennel and other herbs. It has an herbal flavor and a strong black licorice finish. It was illegal in the US from 1912 to 2007.
Is absinthe hallucinogenic? No! But this is why it was illegal in Europe and the US for almost 100 years. It became popular in the 1840s, but started to be associated with violent crimes. While that wasn’t true, people worked to have absinthe banned. Modern research has confirmed absinthe is no more harmful than any other alcohol!
Is it worth buying? Yes, if you’re an adventurous cocktail drinker! Absinthe features in several classic cocktails: the Sazerac, La Louisiane, and Corpse Reviver.
Don’t have absinthe? Pastis or Pernod make a good substitute.

Use any sparkling wine

When the Death in the Afternoon cocktail was invented, champagne was the easiest option to access for this cocktail. Since then, lots of different regional sparkling wines have risen to popularity. In particular, we love Prosecco because it’s cheaper to buy a high quality bottle and it has great flavor. Here are a few notes on the differences between sparkling wines:

Champagne: French sparkling wine. It’s bubbly and fruity, with undertones of almond and orange. It’s typically the most expensive sparkling wine.
Prosecco: Italian sparkling wine. It’s a little sweeter than champagne and has lighter bubbles. It’s fruity and flowery, with notes of apple, pear and lemon.
Cava: Spanish sparkling wine. It has more citrus notes, and is a little more savory and less fruity.

Death in the Afternoon is cloudy (and a tip to make it bubbly)

Here’s one thing to note about the Death in the Afternoon: though it stars champagne, it’s not bubbly! When you combine champagne with another liquid, it kills the bubbles.

It bubbles right when the champagne hits the absinthe, but then subsides. When the two liquids mix, they form an emulsion. You’ll notice a milky, effervescent green color.
Want it to bubble? Add a sugar cube instead. If you really love bubbly drinks, skip the simple syrup and add a sugar cube. It makes a bubble fountain just like the classic Champagne Cocktail. But the classic way to serve this drink is cloudy.

Death in the Afternoon

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Death in the Afternoon is a must-try absinthe cocktail credited to Ernest Hemingway! This easy drink is bubbly with a black licorice finish.

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes
Yield: 1 drink
Category: Drink
Method: Poured
Cuisine: Cocktails
Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

1 ounce (2 tablespoons) absinthe
1 teaspoon simple syrup
4 ounces (½ cup) Champagne or Prosecco

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Instructions

Pour the absinthe and simple syrup into a cocktail glass. Top it off with the sparkling wine.

More absinthe cocktails

The Death in the Afternoon cocktail is a classy champagne cocktail that’s unique and impressive. Absinthe stars in many classic cocktails: so it’s absolutely worth having on hand! Here are the most famous absinthe cocktails:

Try the Corpse Reviver, a classic sour cocktail with gin and lemon
Mix up a Sazerac, the official drink of New Orleans
Opt for the La Louisiane, another boozy New Orleans cocktail

Thanksgiving Sangria

Sonja Overhiser — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 14:00:00 +0000

This Thanksgiving sangria is a festive cocktail for serving to a crowd! Made with red wine and spiced simple syrup, it’s infused with cozy, fruity flavor. Making up a pitcher is our pick for a fun holiday drink!

As two cocktail experts who are also obsessed with simple recipes, this recipe is pretty much a perfect fit for our holiday. Try Thanksgiving sangria, a fruity pitcher infused with cozy flavors that’s so simple to whip up for a crowd!

A signature drink can be tough for parties if you’re shaking up individual drinks in a cocktail shaker every time (we know from experience!). So we like to mix up a pitcher of sangria instead! For this recipe, Alex had the idea of infusing simple syrup with whole spices: cinnamon, cloves, and star anise—and it’s a stroke of genius. We’re hosting Thanksgiving this year and will be serving this as a signature drink: I know it will be a family favorite for years to come!

Tips for making Thanksgiving sangria

I studied in Madrid and have long loved the traditional Spanish way to make sangria: bold, wine-forward and not too sweet. This Thanksgiving sangria is made in the same style. Here are a few tips to keep in mind (or scroll down to the recipe):

The spiced simple syrup infuses lots of flavor. While you could make this drink with plain syrup, simmering this syrup with whole spices adds a flavor nuance that can’t be replicated. (Ground spices don’t work in a drink, as they sink to the bottom.)
Prepare the sangria at least 1 hour in advance. You’ll need to chill the sangria at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld, or up to 4 hours.
You can adjust sweetness to taste. This recipe is balanced and not too sweet. But if you prefer a sweeter sangria, you can add sweetener to taste. Either make a double batch of the spiced simple syrup or use plain simple syrup.

Make ahead info

You can make Thanksgiving sangria up to 4 hours in advance. We don’t suggest storing for longer than that, since the fruit becomes soggy and discolored.

You can make the spiced simple syrup up to 1 week in advance. If you want to make the pitcher in advance, you can mix up everything but the fruit and refrigerate, then add the fruit 1 to 4 hours before serving.

Dietary notes

This Thanksgiving sangria recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.

Thanksgiving Sangria

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This Thanksgiving sangria is a festive cocktail for serving to a crowd! Made with red wine and spiced simple syrup, it’s infused with cozy, fruity flavor. Making up a pitcher is our pick for a fun holiday drink!

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 8
Category: Drink
Method: No Cook
Cuisine: Cocktails
Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

For the spiced simple syrup (see Notes)

3 cinnamon sticks
2 whole cloves
1 star anise
¼ cup water
⅓ cup sugar
1 orange, juiced (about ⅓ cup juice)

For the sangria

1 green apple, sliced
1 red apple, sliced
1 lemon, sliced
750 ml bottle fruity, full-bodied red wine (we prefer a Crianza from the Rioja region of Spain)
⅓ cup triple sec or Cointreau
For garnish: pomegranate arils, more chopped fruit, whole spices

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Instructions

In a small saucepan over medium low heat, toast the cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise for 3 minutes until fragrant. Reduce the heat to low. Add the water, sugar and fresh orange juice, and simmer for 3 minutes, stirring gently to dissolve the sugar.
Strain the sugar mixture into a large pitcher. Stir in the wine and triple sec, adding the whole spices from the sugar mixture. Add the chopped fruit and stir. Refrigerate for 1 to 4 hours before serving. Taste, and adjust sweetness by adding additional simple syrup if desired (here’s how to make simple syrup).
To serve, pour the sangria into ice-filled glasses, garnished with more sliced fruit, lemon wedges, and if desired, pomegranate arils and whole spices.

Notes

If you prefer a very sweet sangria, consider making a double batch of the spiced syrup. Add half to the pitcher to start, then taste and add more to taste.

You can make Thanksgiving sangria up to 4 hours in advance, but longer storage makes the fruit become soggy and discolored. You can make the spiced simple syrup up to 1 week in advance. If you want to make the pitcher in advance, you can mix up everything but the fruit and refrigerate, then add the fruit 1 to 4 hours before serving.

Christmas Mimosa

Sonja Overhiser — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 15:55:00 +0000

Try the Christmas mimosa, a brilliant drink for the holidays! This bubbly cocktail stars pomegranate, orange, and Prosecco.

What’s more festive on Christmas morning than waking up to a Christmas mimosa? This tasty drink is bubbly and perfect for the season. Rich pomegranate juice contrasts with the citrus sweetness of orange, topped off with a profusion of bubbles.

This one is a great tradition for Christmas breakfast or brunch…with gingerbread waffles or snowman pancakes. It’s become a tradition in our house!

Ingredients in a Christmas mimosa

The mimosa is one of the most popular classic cocktails: a simple mix of orange juice and champagne. There are endless flavored riffs on the classic, and here we’ve used pomegranate juice to bring in a fruity flavor and bold color. Here’s what you’ll need for this Christmas mimosa:

100% pomegranate juice
Orange juice
Sparkling wine: use champagne, Prosecco, or your favorite sparkling wine

Pomegranate juice and a few substitutes

It’s easy to find 100% pomegranate juice for this Christmas mimosa at most grocery stores these days. But if you can’t find it you can also make it fresh squeezed. Or if you prefer, cranberry juice works too! Here are some notes:

Buy bottled 100% pomegranate juice. If all you can find is sweetened, that’s ok too!
Make the juice with 2 pomegranates. Cut and seed the pomegranate, then place the seeds in a jar and smash them with a cocktail muddler or potato masher. Strain it out and you’re good to go! Go to How to Make Pomegranate Juice. The juice of two pomegranates makes about 1 cup juice, which is approximately what you’ll need for 6 drinks (technically you’ll need 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons).
Use cranberry juice. You can try it with 100% cranberry juice for a tart flavor, cranberry juice blend, or cranberry juice cocktail, which is sweetened and will make a sweeter mimosa.

Prosecco and other sparkling wines

Our default for making a mimosa is Prosecco, which is what we recommend for this Christmas mimosa. Why? A great bottle of Prosecco is cheaper than a great bottle of Champagne, because the manufacturing process is easier (read more at Prosecco vs Champagne). Also, we like the flavor even better! Feel free to use whatever sparkling wine you like, just make sure it is “brut” or dry. Here are a few options:

Champagne: French sparkling wine. It tastes bubbly and fruity, with undertones of almond and orange. It’s typically the most expensive sparkling wine.
Prosecco: Italian sparkling wine. It’s a little sweeter than champagne and has lighter bubbles. It’s fruity and flowery, with notes of apple, pear and lemon.
Cava: Spanish sparkling wine. It has more citrus notes, and is a little more savory and less fruity.

Christmas Mimosa

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Try the Christmas Mimosa, a brilliant drink for the holidays! This bubbly cocktail stars pomegranate, orange, and Prosecco.

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes
Yield: 1 drink
Category: Drink
Method: Poured
Cuisine: Cocktails
Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

1 ½ ounces* 100% pomegranate juice
1 ½ ounces orange juice
4 ounces* Prosecco, Champagne or other sparkling wine**
Granulated or superfine sugar, for the rim (optional)
For the garnish: whole cranberries, rosemary sprig

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Instructions

Moisten the rim of the glass with water. Dip the edge of the rim into a plate of granulated or superfine sugar.
Add the pomegranate juice and orange juice to a champagne flute.
Tilt the champagne flute and pour in the champagne or Prosecco. Garnish with a rosemary branch and whole cranberries, if desired.

Notes

*If desired, you can substitute cranberry juice blend or cranberry juice cocktail. To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons

**1 750 mL bottle has enough for 6 drinks.

More festive Christmas drinks

Entertaining for the holidays? Here are a few more Christmas drinks that would work for brunch or any time:

Try the pomegranate mimosa (with Aperol) or cranberry mimosa.
Opt for a Poinsettia (cranberry champagne cocktail).
Try spiked hot chocolate, Baileys hot chocolate, Kahlua hot chocolate, or Peppermint Schnapps hot chocolate.
Go for a Peppermint Patty drink.
Grab Christmas coffee or a gingerbread latte.