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–+ servings
Cranberry Champagne Cocktail in Champagne flute with orange twist and fresh cranberries and pastries in the background

Cranberry Champagne Cocktail

Toast the holidays with this festive, 5-ingredient recipe for a Cranberry Champagne Cocktail starring fresh cranberries and orange zest.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes
Servings 8 cocktails

Ingredients  

  • 1 (12-oz.) bag cranberries 
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup Grand Marnier
  • 1 medium orange, zested and juiced
  • 1 (750-ml.) bottle dry champagne or sparkling wine

Instructions 

Chill Champagne and make cranberry syrup:

  • In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, combine the cranberries, sugar, orange juice and zest, Grand Marnier and 1 cup water. 
  • Bring the mixture to simmer and cook it until the cranberries burst and soften, about 15 minutes. 
  • Remove the mixture from the heat and allow it to cool for 10 minutes.
  • Place a sieve over a bowl then pour the mixture through the sieve. Discard the solids then cover and refrigerate the syrup for a minimum of 2 hours and up to overnight.
  • When ready to serve, add 2 tablespoons cranberry syrup to a Champagne flute and top it with chilled champagne. Serve immediately. 

Notes

  • As soon as you bring your champagne home, put it in the fridge. Champagne cocktails are best cold, but ice would dilute the flavor too much. Hence, make sure the champagne bottle is properly chilled!
  • You can make the cranberry syrup up to 5 days ahead and store it in the fridge in an airtight container. 
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