Ingredients
- .5 oz Triple Sec
- 3 oz Cranberry Juice
- Champagne
Instructions
Combine Ingredients:
- Add 0.5 oz triple sec and 3 oz cranberry juice into a champagne flute.
Top with Champagne:
- Top off the flute with chilled champagne.
Garnish (Optional):
- Garnish with a fresh cranberry or a twist of orange peel for an extra festive touch.
Serve:
- Serve immediately and enjoy the festive cranberry sparkle.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
Champagne cocktails have been around for centuries, but the specific Poinsettia combination, relying on cranberry juice, likely became popular in the latter half of the 20th century as cranberry became a more common mixer in bars. There is no single named inventor or definitive origin story for this drink. It’s more of a natural evolution, a festive twist on the classic champagne cocktail, often associated with holiday seasons due to its color.
This drink sits squarely in the champagne cocktail family, alongside relatives like the Kir Royale, which uses creme de cassis, or the classic Mimosa, with orange juice. What sets the Poinsettia apart is its unique blend of tart cranberry and citrusy triple sec, providing a more complex, less sweet profile than some of its counterparts, while still maintaining that essential bubbly character.
You’ll typically find a Poinsettia Champagne Cocktail served at holiday parties, New Year’s Eve celebrations, or even as a cheerful brunch option. It’s a daytime or early evening drink, perfect for social gatherings where a celebratory but not overly strong cocktail is desired. It’s less common in a dive bar or a serious craft cocktail joint, fitting better into home entertaining or upscale casual events.
What it tastes like
The Poinsettia hits the palate with a bright, tart cranberry upfront, quickly followed by the sweet, zesty orange notes from the triple sec. In the mid-palate, the champagne’s dry effervescence cuts through the sweetness, balancing the fruit flavors and adding a crispness. The finish is clean and refreshing, with a lingering hint of cranberry and a dry, bubbly sensation that invites another sip.
Considering typical proportions of 0.5 oz triple sec (around 35% ABV), 3 oz cranberry juice (0% ABV), and about 3.5 oz of champagne (around 12% ABV), the Poinsettia Champagne Cocktail comes in at roughly 8.5% ABV. This makes it significantly lighter than most spirit-forward cocktails, which often hover around 20-30% ABV, and roughly comparable to a strong craft beer or a glass of dry wine. It’s a gentle buzz, not a knockout.
The technique
Building a Poinsettia is straightforward: start with well-chilled ingredients and glassware. Pour the triple sec into a champagne flute, then follow with the cranberry juice. The key is to add the champagne last, slowly topping off the flute to preserve its fizz and create an attractive layer of bubbles. A quick stir is optional, but often unnecessary as the carbonation mixes the liquids sufficiently. Garnish immediately before serving.
The single most important technique for any champagne cocktail is to ensure all your ingredients are thoroughly chilled before mixing. Using warm cranberry juice or triple sec will rapidly kill the champagne’s carbonation, resulting in a flat, lifeless drink. Keep your champagne, mixers, and even your flutes in the fridge or on ice until you’re ready to pour. This preserves the essential sparkle and keeps the drink crisp.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Triple Sec
- Use
- Opt for a quality triple sec like Cointreau, Combier, or even a good Bols Triple Sec. These offer a clean, bright orange flavor without being overly sweet. They typically range from 30-40% ABV.
- Skip
- Avoid generic, bottom-shelf ‘orange liqueur’ that might be syrupy and artificial. It will overpower the subtle flavors of the champagne and make the drink cloying.
- Why
- Triple sec provides the essential citrus backbone and a touch of sweetness that balances the tart cranberry juice. Without it, the drink would lack depth and might be too one-note sour.
Champagne
- Use
- A dry Brut Champagne is ideal, offering crisp acidity and fine bubbles. Good quality Prosecco or Cava also work well as more affordable, yet effective, alternatives. Aim for something around 11-12% ABV.
- Skip
- Don’t use a sweet sparkling wine, like a Demi-Sec or Asti Spumante, unless you’re aiming for a very sweet cocktail. Also, avoid anything that has been open too long and lost its fizz.
- Why
- The champagne is the star, providing the celebratory effervescence and a dry, crisp counterpoint to the fruit. Its acidity helps to brighten and extend the flavors of the other ingredients.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
Cranberry Kir Royale
- A berry-forward, slightly sweeter take
- Substitute the triple sec with 0.5 oz of creme de cassis. This gives the drink a richer, dark berry flavor while maintaining the festive color and champagne base.
Poinsettia Spritz
- Add a little kick to the fizz
- For a slightly stronger drink, add 0.5 oz of a neutral spirit like vodka or gin to the flute before adding the cranberry juice and champagne. This boosts the ABV without changing the core flavor too much.
N/A Poinsettia
- Bubbly and bright, no alcohol
- Replace the champagne with sparkling cider or non-alcoholic sparkling wine, and swap the triple sec for a dash of orange syrup or a non-alcoholic orange spirit. Keep the cranberry juice as is.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Orange curaçao or Grand Marnier can work, though Grand Marnier has a cognac base that will change the flavor profile slightly. A dash of orange juice and a touch of simple syrup is a last resort.
Pomegranate juice is an excellent substitute, offering a similar tartness and color. Cherry juice can also work, but will be sweeter.
Any dry sparkling wine like Prosecco, Cava, or even a good quality Sekt will serve the purpose well. Just make sure it’s chilled and bubbly.
A white wine glass or a coupe glass can be used. While they won’t hold the bubbles as long as a flute, they still present the drink nicely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Poinsettia Champagne Cocktail?
A Poinsettia Champagne Cocktail typically contains triple sec, cranberry juice, and chilled champagne.
Is Poinsettia a strong drink?
No, it’s a relatively light cocktail. With an ABV around 8.5%, it’s comparable to a strong beer or a glass of wine, making it suitable for longer events.
What does a Poinsettia Champagne Cocktail taste like?
It tastes tart and fruity from the cranberry, with sweet citrus notes from the triple sec, all brightened and made crisp by the dry fizz of the champagne.
When do you serve a Poinsettia?
Poinsettias are most commonly served during holiday seasons, New Year’s Eve, or at brunch events due to their festive color and light, celebratory nature.
What’s the difference between a Mimosa and a Poinsettia?
The main difference is the fruit juice. A Mimosa uses orange juice with champagne, while a Poinsettia uses cranberry juice with champagne and triple sec.
Can I make a Poinsettia in advance?
You can pre-mix the triple sec and cranberry juice, but you should only add the champagne right before serving to keep the drink from going flat.
What’s the best champagne for a Poinsettia?
A dry Brut Champagne, Prosecco, or Cava works best. Avoid sweet sparkling wines, as they can make the cocktail overly sugary.
How do you garnish a Poinsettia?
Common garnishes include a fresh cranberry or two dropped into the flute, or a twist of orange peel on the rim of the glass.
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