A sparkling festive delight
The Editor
Are you starting to plan your festive dinner party drinks?
Mimosas are great for any occasion, though Christmas calls for something a little more seasonal
A firm favourite is the Christmas mimosa, a sparkling delight that's full of festive flavours. The recipe has a sweet, fruity base of pomegranate and cranberry that's beautiful with sparkling wine. The fun part comes with the garnish of fresh cranberries and a sprig of real pine or rosemary.
A blend of pomegranate liqueur and cranberry juice create the base for this lovely Champagne cocktail. The real spectacle comes from the pine garnish. This simple addition gently infuses the aromatic flavor of a pine tree into the drink and is sure to get anyone into the Christmas spirit.
Ingredients
• 1 1/2 ounces pomegranate liqueur
• 1 ounce cranberry juice
• 3 ounces Champagne (chilled)
• Garnish: cranberries (fresh)
• Garnish: sprig of pine (or rosemary)
Steps to Make It
In a Champagne flute, pour the pomegranate liqueur and cranberry juice
Top with Champagne
Garnish with a few fresh cranberries and a sprig of pine.
Serve and enjoy!
Tip
Since there is no ice in this cocktail, it's best made with pre-chilled ingredients. You can also quick-freeze the cranberries in your freezer for an hour so they act like fruity ice cubes.
Recipe Variation
It is very simple to transform this Christmas mimosa into a tasty mocktail by replacing the liqueur and wine with non-alcoholic ingredients. Go with a pomegranate juice or pour a pomegranate-cranberry juice blend (it's likely more economical) and top it with a sparkling cider or white grape juice. You get the same great flavors, but none of the alcohol!
The pine used in the Christmas mimosa is very gentle in comparison to other applications. By simply garnishing the drink with a single sprig, that piney flavor softly adds dimension to the cocktail. It should not become overwhelming because you'll be drinking as it infuses. You can always remove the garnish once the flavor hits your desired taste.
Choose Your Pine Carefully!
There is some caution when it comes to selecting an edible pine, however. While the majority of pine and fir trees are safe for people, there are a few that are toxic. It's important that you properly identify any evergreen you're going to take a cutting from.
The trees to avoid include hemlock, Norfolk Island pine (or Australian pine), and Ponderosa pine (not all of these are true pines, either). Common pine trees like the white pine, any spruce, and balsam and Douglas firs are safe and among your best choices.
Additionally, women who are pregnant should not drink or eat any pine. Keep this in mind when serving the mocktail and use an alternative garnish.
If you're not up for foraging for the proper pine, rosemary is a perfect substitution! It adds more of a warm, floral flavor, but creates an equally festive Christmas cocktail.
