Name: Cranberry Limoncello Mimosa
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 🍋 1 oz limoncello (chilled); 🍒 2 oz cranberry juice (100% juice or cocktail, chilled); 🍾 3 oz champagne or prosecco (dry or semi-sweet, chilled); 🍋 Lemon twist or wheel (for garnish); 🍒 Fresh cranberries (optional garnish, especially for holidays); 🌿 Fresh rosemary or mint (optional, for garnish); ❄️ Ice (optional, if serving over ice)

If there’s one drink that instantly elevates a brunch, it’s a mimosa. But what if you could take that light, bubbly classic and give it a bold, tangy twist? Enter the Cranberry Limoncello Mimosa, a refreshingly zesty cocktail that blends sweet-tart cranberry juice with the sunny citrus punch of limoncello and the crisp sparkle of champagne. This drink is more than just pretty in a flute. It’s a celebration of balance: sweet but tart, light yet flavorful, festive yet sophisticated. Whether you’re serving it for a holiday breakfast, a bridal shower, or just a slow weekend morning, this mimosa variation adds brightness and a bold pop of color to your table.

In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through why this drink is so popular, exactly how to make it, creative variations to try, pro tips, and how to serve it for maximum wow factor.

Why Is This Recipe So Popular?

The Cranberry Limoncello Mimosa is rapidly gaining traction as a brunch favorite, especially around the winter holidays and spring events. Here’s why:

🥂 Festive and colorful: That deep red hue from cranberry juice is stunning and sets a celebratory mood instantly.
🍋 Citrus-forward and refreshing: Limoncello adds a unique brightness that traditional mimosas just don’t have.
⏱️ Quick and easy: With just a few ingredients and almost no prep, you can make a batch in under 5 minutes.
🍾 Perfect for brunch or special occasions: From Christmas morning to Easter brunch, it fits all festive menus.
🧊 Customizable sweetness and bubbles: You can use dry or sweet champagne, or make it non-alcoholic.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

🍋 Limoncello gives it a flavorful citrus twist that feels fresh and modern.
🍒 Cranberry juice adds balance — sweet and tart at the same time.
🥂 Effervescent and elegant with bubbly champagne or prosecco.
💖 Beautiful color and garnish options make it a showstopper in a glass.
🧊 Can be made in minutes — no shaking, no muddling, no fuss.
🎄 Perfect for holidays and special occasions like Mother’s Day, weddings, and Christmas morning.

Ingredients:

These ingredients come together to form a powerhouse of flavor:

🍋 1 oz limoncello (chilled)
🍒 2 oz cranberry juice (100% juice or cocktail, chilled)
🍾 3 oz champagne or prosecco (dry or semi-sweet, chilled)
🍋 Lemon twist or wheel (for garnish)
🍒 Fresh cranberries (optional garnish, especially for holidays)
🌿 Fresh rosemary or mint (optional, for garnish)
❄️ Ice (optional, if serving over ice)

Note: Use dry sparkling wine if you like a crisp finish, or go for a sweeter sparkling Moscato if you want it more dessert-like.

Preparation:

Step 1: Chill all ingredients
Ensure your limoncello, cranberry juice, and champagne are fully chilled. This mimosa is best served cold and crisp.

Step 2: Add limoncello to a champagne flute
Pour 1 oz of chilled limoncello into the bottom of a flute. This base will give the cocktail its bright citrus kick.

Step 3: Add cranberry juice
Slowly pour in 2 oz of cranberry juice over the limoncello. The colors will layer beautifully if poured gently.

Step 4: Top with champagne
Finish by topping with 3 oz of chilled champagne or prosecco. Pour slowly to preserve the bubbles and avoid overflow.

Step 5: Garnish
Add a lemon twist on the rim, drop a few fresh cranberries into the glass, and if desired, tuck in a sprig of rosemary or mint for aroma and elegance.

Step 6: Serve immediately
Mimosas are best served right away to maintain carbonation and visual appeal.

Variation:

🧃 Non-Alcoholic Version: Replace champagne with sparkling white grape juice or club soda and use a limoncello syrup instead of liqueur.
🍓 Berry Limoncello Mimosa: Use a mixed berry juice blend or raspberry juice for a sweeter version.
🍊 Citrus Medley Mimosa: Mix orange juice with cranberry and limoncello for a citrus fruit fusion.
🧊 Frozen Mimosa: Blend all ingredients with ice for a frosty mimosa slushie — perfect for summer brunches.
🧂 Spicy Garnish: Rim the glass with lemon juice and chili salt for a bold, savory kick.

COOKING Note:

This recipe is incredibly forgiving, but a few key notes ensure a flawless pour:

🧊 Don’t skip chilling! Lukewarm mimosas lose the appeal quickly.
🥂 Add champagne last to maintain fizz.
📏 Keep a 1:2:3 ratio of limoncello:cranberry:champagne for balance.
🥄 Avoid stirring after adding champagne to preserve bubbles.
🍾 Open sparkling wine gently — no champagne geysers, please!

Serving Suggestions:

🧁 Pair with lemon poppyseed muffins, cranberry scones, or fruit tarts for a sweet brunch.
🍳 Serve with eggs benedict, quiches, or savory crepes for a full breakfast spread.
🎄 Ideal for Christmas brunch, Thanksgiving morning, or Valentine’s Day mimosas.
🥂 Serve in champagne coupes for a vintage feel or in flutes for classic presentation.
🍬 Add a sugar rim for a sweeter, party-ready twist.

Tips:

🧊 Keep all liquids chilled in the fridge for at least 4 hours before serving.
🥂 Don’t stir the final drink — let the bubbles mix it naturally.
🧉 Make it in a pitcher for parties — just don’t add the bubbles until ready to serve.
🍾 Choose dry or sweet champagne based on your guests’ taste preferences.
🍒 Cranberry juice cocktail adds more sweetness, while 100% juice is more tart — choose based on desired flavor.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Nutritional Information (per serving):

Calories: 160
Carbohydrates: 15g
Sugars: 13g
Alcohol Content: ~10–12% ABV
Protein: 0g
Fat: 0g
Sodium: 5mg
Fiber: 0.2g

FAQs:

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: You can mix the limoncello and cranberry juice in advance, but add champagne just before serving to maintain fizz.

Q: What kind of champagne is best?
A: Brut (dry) champagne is ideal for balance, but demi-sec (slightly sweet) also works if you like sweeter drinks.

Q: Can I use Prosecco instead of Champagne?
A: Absolutely! Prosecco is more affordable and brings a fruitier, lighter taste to the mimosa.

Q: How do I make it more tart or more sweet?
A: Adjust the cranberry juice type — 100% juice is more tart; cranberry cocktail is sweeter. You can also add a splash of simple syrup if desired.

Q: Can I serve it over ice?
A: While not traditional, it can be served over ice in stemless flutes or wine glasses, especially in summer.

Conclusion:

The Cranberry Limoncello Mimosa is a brilliant way to add flair and flavor to your brunch menu. With its vibrant ruby hue, zesty citrus punch, and bubbly finish, it offers a delightful update to the classic mimosa, perfect for modern hosts who love to surprise and delight guests. It’s quick to make, versatile, and guaranteed to bring smiles with every sip. Whether you’re celebrating a holiday, hosting a bridal shower, or simply indulging in a lazy weekend breakfast, this cocktail brings just the right mix of elegance and excitement.

So raise a glass, clink with friends, and enjoy the tangy sparkle of a mimosa that’s anything but ordinary.