How to make Cranberry Bellinis

Ring in the new year by serving seasonal Cranberry Bellinis! Made with three simple ingredients, this festive cranberry cocktail and twist on a classic bellini recipe is the perfect sparkling beverage to sip at a wintertime celebration. Makes 1 drink, but can easily be made for a crowd.

Love cranberry cocktails? Don’t miss Citrus Cranberry Sangria, Cranberry Mule and Blizzard Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail!

Close up of two Cranberry Bellinis, garnished with fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs

2018 Update: This recipe, which originally appeared on My Cooking Spot, where I was a contributor. It was originally published in December 2015. The post has been republished. I updated it to include new photos, as well as more tips and tricks. I hope you love this cocktail!

Once upon a time, I studied abroad and drank bellinis with friends while sitting at restaurants in piazzas in various Italian cities… because they’re utterly delicious.

The thing is, you can’t find good fresh peaches to make bellinis in late December. (Technically, you could use frozen peaches, but I don’t really think of peaches as a winter ingredient.)

So I changed things up a bit so we could find all the necessary ingredients, thanks to a bit of creative brainstorming with my friend, Susannah.

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    Why I love this drink:

    I’ve combined three simple ingredients to create a seasonal and delicious holiday season drink.

    All you need are unsweetened cranberry juice, prosecco (or your sparkling wine of choice) and some simple syrup to make this delicious holiday sipper.

    The end result is a little tart with a hint of sweetness, wonderfully effervescent and perfectly celebratory for any of the winter holidays you might be celebrating.

    Whether you need a sipper to serve at brunch OR at a dinner party, these cranberry cocktails would be fabulous to serve around Christmas or even on New Year’s Eve.

    Other bubbly drinks to mix for the holidays: Pomegranate French 75 | Mimosa Bar (or a Blended Mimosa) | Framboise Champagne Cocktail | Strawberry Champagne

    Looking for a particular drink? Check out my Drinks Recipe Index for all the inspiration and ideas!

    Up your cocktail game!

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      Prosecco pours into a glass holding red liquid to form a bellini recipe

      What do I need to make a Cranberry Bellini?

      The Speckled Palate participates in affiliate programs. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Please refer to my disclosure page for more information about these affiliate programs.

      Let’s talk ingredients!

      In addition to the tools above, you’re going to need some ingredients to make this recipe, too! Chances are, you might already have some of them in your fridge or pantry. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full measurements and instructions.

      Here’s what you need to make this recipe:

      • Unsweetened cranberry juice — I love the tartness this 100% juice brings to the cocktail, as well as the color. I do not recommend using cranberry juice cocktail, as it’s sweeter and less intense, flavor-wise.
      • Prosecco — or your favorite sparkling wine or champagne… though that technically turns this recipe into the cranberry champagne cocktail known as a Cranberry Mimosa
      • Simple syrup — the homemade kind or the bottled kind you can purchase at the store. You could also swap it for Cranberry Simple Syrup to add even more cranberry flavor to this drink.
      Two champagne flutes holding red liquid and fresh rosemary from above on a gold glitter platter

      How to make a Cranberry Bellini

      Combine the cranberry juice and simple syrup in a glass. (We like to use champagne flutes because they’re pretty, but you do you!)

      Pour the prosecco on top of the other ingredients.

      Garnish with fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs, and enjoy immediately.

      Close up of two champagne flutes holding red drinks with fresh cranberry and rosemary garnishes

      Frequently Asked Questions

      What is a bellini?

      A bellini is a sparkling Italian mixed drink that is utterly delicious. Traditionally, it calls for white peach puree, prosecco and occasionally, a splash of raspberry or cherry juice to add a little color to it.

      Cranberry bellinis, obviously, are a twist on the classic cocktail and are transformed into a cranberry cocktail.

      What is the difference between a bellini and a mimosa?

      A bellini has Italian heritage, calling for prosecco or Italian sparkling wine. 

      A mimosa has French roots, calling for champagne and sometimes, a splash of Gran Marnier to add to the orange flavor. (You can also use prosecco to make a Prosecco Mimosa!)

      So, technically, I could turn this into a cranberry mimosa?

      Sure! Swap champagne for the prosecco that the recipe calls for and call this beauty of a drink a Cranberry Mimosa!

      I see the recipe calls for something called simple syrup. How do I make simple syrup?

      Simple syrup is, well, simple to make. I wrote a post all about How to Make Simple Syrup.

      You’ll need equal parts water and granulated sugar. (I like to use a cup of each and then store the leftovers in a mason jar in the fridge.) Warm them on the stovetop until the sugar has dissolved into the water, then let cool and store in a mason jar and/or measure out what you need to make a drink. (Please note that if you’re mixing a drink, you’ll want the simple syrup to be room temperature or chilled.)

      Two champagne flutes holding a cranberry bellini recipe sit on a gold glitter tray

      Quick tips and tricks for making the best bellini recipe

      • Unsweetened cranberry juice is the way to go here. If you can only find cranberry cocktail, omit the simple syrup from this cranberry cocktail. Taste it and add a little more sweetness, if needed.
      • If you like more prosecco, pour in more prosecco! (If you like less, use less.)
      • It’s not technically a bellini recipe if you use champagne, but if that’s what you got on hand, it works! And then this transforms into a Cranberry Mimosa.
      Pinterest graphic for Cranberry Bellinis, featuring two bellinis up close and Pinterest text

      Now who’s ready to mix up some of these cranberry bellinis for a wintertime celebration?

      I share how easy it is to make them below…

      More cranberry cocktail recipes:

      Up your cocktail game!

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        Close up of two Cranberry Bellinis, garnished with fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs

        Cranberry Bellini

        Erin Parker, The Speckled Palate
        Ring in the new year by serving seasonal Cranberry Bellinis! Made with three simple ingredients—unsweetened cranberry juice, simple syrup and prosecco—this festive mixed drink is the perfect sparkling beverage to sip at a wintertime celebration. Similar to a mimosa, this wintertime twist on a classic Italian cocktail can be made for individuals or a crowd. Bubbly, slightly sweet Cranberry Bellinis make the perfect New Year’s Eve beverage!
        4.41 from 15 votes
        Servings 1 drink
        Calories 230 kcal
        Prep Time 5 minutes
        Total Time 5 minutes

        Ingredients
          

        • 2 oz. unsweetened cranberry juice chilled
        • 1 oz. simple syrup or more, depending on your taste, chilled
        • 4 oz. prosecco can use more or less, depending on your taste!
        • Fresh cranberries and rosemary for garnish

        As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

        Instructions
         

        • Combine the cranberry juice and simple syrup in a glass.
        • Pour the prosecco on top of the other ingredients.
        • Garnish with fresh cranberries and rosemary.
        • Enjoy immediately.

        Notes

        If you like more prosecco, pour in more prosecco! (If you like less, use less.)
        If you have champagne instead of prosecco, you can still make this drink! Technically, it will be considered a Cranberry Mimosa, but it will obviously be equally delicious.

        Nutrition

        Serving: 1 drinkCalories: 230kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 1gSodium: 10mgFiber: 5gSugar: 26g
        Keyword cranberry, cranberry drink, cranberry recipe, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Eve recipe, prosecco
        Course Cocktails
        Cuisine American
        Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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        About the Author:

        Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her

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        23 Comments

        1. Oh wow, these are GORGEOUS!!! I’m gonna need some of these on Thursday night. Very clever cocktail idea!

        2. YUUUUHS this is the exact cocktail I want to enjoy on NYE! I luurve champagne cocktails and am all about cranberry everything. Bravo, m’dear!

          1. You and me both, Julia! In my book, you can’t beat a champagne cocktail that involves anything cranberry. ALL the cranberry all the time for me during this season! Cheers!

        3. This is absolutely perfect for New Years! I can’t get enough cranberry flavor this time of year!

          1. Hi Vanessa! Thanks for your comment. Since these drinks use prosecco, I don’t recommend mixing them in advance because the prosecco will go flat.

          1. This makes me so happy to hear, Ronnie! Thank you for leaving this comment because it has made my morning. I love that this recipe is now a part of your family’s tradition for Christmas. You’re so welcome. Merry Christmas and cheers to y’all!

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