Who doesn’t love a festive mimosa? Especially when it means you get to feel a little buzz before spending nearly the entire day in the kitchen. At least, that was the inspiration for me. This year, for American Thanksgiving—yes, I still clarify which Thanksgiving it is because I’m still Canadian after all, even though I live in LA—I made a super cute festive mimosas with fresh cranberries and orange juice. They were delicious. 10/10 would recommend.

To set the scene: my twins were playing together, my husband was tuning into the Macy’s parade, my dog was taking a nap, and I was finishing up my first coffee of the day. I’m not really a parade person (sorry not sorry) so I kept myself entertained by whipping up a couple of festive mimosas. And two plastic cups of orange juice so the boys could cheers with us.

Festive mimosas are a delightful blend of sparkling wine and freshly squeezed juice, often brimming with seasonal flavours that elevate any celebration. A classic combination of champagne and orange juice can be enhanced with pomegranate, cranberry, or even blood orange juice, creating a vibrant drink that captures the spirit of the holiday season. Garnished with fresh fruit or a sprig of mint, these effervescent beverages not only look stunning but also provide a refreshing balance of sweetness and acidity. Perfect for brunch gatherings or holiday toasts, festive mimosas embody joy and cheer in every bubbly sip.

Festive Mimosas with Avaline Sparkling Wine

What you’ll need for festive mimosas:

• A bottle of Avaline sparkling wine

• Fresh cranberries

• Cranberry juice

• Orange juice

• Contemporary glassware a la Plate Pillows

It’s important to note that for these festive mimosas you’ll need to start prepping the night before. For the ice cubes, of course. What I did was fill each square in the tray with four or five fresh cranberries. Then, I topped it up with cranberry juice. Correction: cranberry cocktail. Which, I wouldn’t normally buy but thought, whatever, it’s the holidays. (And speaking of The Holiday—check out my reel from Avaline’s screening of the movie here.)

In the morning, get out your glassware (wildly, I do not own flutes so I used these glasses from Plate Pillows). Next, pop the cork on your sparkling wine. Then, get pouring. Admittedly, my bubble to OJ ratio is definitely more in favour of the bubbles, but you do you. Top up with orange juice, add a frozen cranberry cube, and you’re good to sip!

Why choose Avaline sparkling wine?

Transparency, taste, company ethos. I could go on. And I think I will. Avaline is super open and honest about their farming practices, where their wines come from, the organic ingredients. Did you know? There is zero sugar and no unwanted additives in Avaline sparkling wine—or any of their other wines. You can feel good (and tipsy) with every sip.

From production to pour, they’re a wine brand that genuinely cares about the effect they’re having on the world. Personally, I’ve loved every bottle I’ve tried. However, my favourites are probably the sparkling wine, sauvingnon blanc, and cabernet sauvignon. Oh, and the rose; it’s crisp, light, and fresh. A bonus is that it comes with a screw top, so it’s my go-to when seeing a show at Hollywood Bowl. Bring a bottle, easily twist it open, pour, and enjoy live music.

Which holidays are festive mimosas good for?

This is a rhetorical question. Obviously. The holidays that are perfect for festive mimosas are all of them—from classic celebrations to more unique occasions. New Year's Day stands out as a top contender, where a bubbly brunch featuring mimosas can set a cheerful tone for the year ahead. Easter brunch, with its pastel decorations and family gatherings, also calls for a refreshing twist on the traditional beverage, blending sparkling wine with grapfeuit juice for a delightful start to the day.

Additionally, Valentine's Day brings a romantic flair, making it ideal for a sweetly infused mimosa with strawberry or raspberry puree. Thanksgiving, while being a day for feasting, can also be transformed with the addition of mimosas, offering guests a light, celebratory drink that pairs beautifully with the holiday fare. No matter the occasion, mimosas can elevate any holiday gathering into a festive affair. Last Christmas, I made mistletoe mimosas which, along with cranberries, included fresh rosemary sprigs.

By the way—what are your New Year’s Eve plans? My night will likely consist of appies and champagne on the rooftop with my husband while our twins are (hopefully) fast asleep downstairs. One day I’ll get back to glamorous NYE parties. But for now, sipping bubbly at home makes the most sense. Do you have your champagne sorted? Shop Avaline’s New Year’s Eve Set here and enter code DECEMBER15 at checkout for 15% off your order.

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Ps. While this post is not sponsored, it does contain affiliate links.