Looking for a refreshing drink to brighten up winter gatherings? The Cranberry Clementine Sparkler Cocktail offers a perfect blend of tart and sweet flavors.
This festive cocktail combines cranberry juice, clementine segments, and sparkling wine for a delightful winter sipper.
The vibrant red hue and citrus notes make it ideal for holiday parties or cozy nights in. It’s easy to prepare in batches, allowing hosts to spend more time with guests.
The cocktail also works well as a non-alcoholic mocktail by swapping the sparkling wine for club soda.
With just a few simple ingredients, anyone can create this eye-catching drink at home. The recipe is versatile, letting people adjust the sweetness and alcohol content to their liking.
Its crisp taste and cheerful appearance are sure to impress family and friends throughout the cold months.
Cranberry Clementine Sparkler Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Strainer
- Champagne flutes
- Zester or peeler
- Small knife
- Measuring jigger
- Ice
Ingredients
For 4 servings:
- 1 cup cranberry juice
- 1/2 cup fresh clementine juice about 4-5 clementines
- 1/4 cup simple syrup
- 1 bottle 750 ml prosecco or sparkling wine, chilled
- Ice cubes
- Clementine zest and fresh cranberries for garnish
Use 100% cranberry juice for the best flavor. Fresh-squeezed clementine juice tastes better than store-bought.
Instructions
- Fill the cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add cranberry juice, clementine juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
- Shake well for 10-15 seconds to chill and mix the ingredients.
- Strain the mixture into 4 champagne flutes, filling each about 1/3 full.
- Top off each glass with chilled prosecco.
- Garnish with a strip of clementine zest and a few fresh cranberries.
- Serve right away and enjoy!
For best results, chill all ingredients before mixing. This keeps the drink cold and bubbly.
Notes
Tasting Notes
This Cranberry Clementine Sparkler Cocktail offers a bright and refreshing flavor profile. The drink balances tart cranberry with sweet clementine notes.
The first sip brings a crisp, bubbly sensation from the sparkling wine. Cranberry provides a zesty punch that tingles the taste buds. The clementine adds a sunny citrus sweetness.
Flavor intensity:
- Cranberry: Medium-strong
- Clementine: Medium
- Sparkling wine: Light
The cocktail has a light ruby-pink color. Its aroma mixes fruity and floral scents. The finish is clean with a subtle lingering tartness.
This drink tastes best very cold. The flavors blend well without any one ingredient overpowering the others. It makes for an easy-drinking cocktail suitable for many occasions.
Substitute
No cranberries or clementines on hand? Don’t worry! This cocktail can still be made with other tasty ingredients.
Orange juice works well in place of clementine juice. For the cranberry component, try pomegranate juice or tart cherry juice instead.
Sparkling wine can be swapped for club soda or ginger ale to make a non-alcoholic version. If you want a different flavor, use sparkling apple cider or a flavored seltzer water.
The simple syrup can be replaced with honey or agave nectar for natural sweetness. Or skip the sweetener altogether for a more tart drink.
Here’s a quick substitution guide:
- Clementine juice → Orange juice
- Cranberry juice → Pomegranate or tart cherry juice
- Sparkling wine → Club soda or ginger ale
- Simple syrup → Honey or agave nectar
Mix and match these alternatives to create your own unique sparkler. The key is keeping the ratios similar to the original recipe. Experiment to find your perfect combo!