Pomegranate Champagne Spritz

A great holiday cocktail should feel fun, refreshing, and a little celebratory, and this Pomegranate Champagne Spritz delivers all of that in one beautiful glass. It brings together the tart sweetness of pomegranate juice, the citrus lift of orange juice, and the sparkle of chilled champagne to create a winter drink that feels perfect for Christmas gatherings or cozy nights by the tree. The colors alone make it look like something you would serve at a festive brunch or elegant holiday party.

I first made this spritz during a family Christmas brunch when I wanted something bubbly that looked seasonal without being too strong. The combination of champagne and pomegranate juice was an instant hit. Everyone loved how light it felt, and the rosemary garnish filled the room with a fresh, woodsy scent that made the drink feel even more seasonal.

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Why You’ll Love This

This Christmas recipe is the kind of drink that appeals to a wide range of people because it is light, fruity, and sparkling. It has just enough sweetness to feel indulgent without becoming heavy, which makes it great for daytime celebrations or as a dinner party starter.

The mix of pomegranate and citrus adds a refreshing twist to the classic champagne spritz, making it taste lively and seasonal. It is also incredibly easy to prepare, and the garnishes give it a polished look without much effort.

• Quick to Make: Everything goes directly into the wine glass and takes less than a minute.
• Fresh and Fruity: Pomegranate and orange give it bright winter flavor.
• Bubbly and Festive: Champagne adds instant celebration energy.
• Easy to Customize: Works with different sparkling wines and garnish options.
• Photo Friendly: The deep red color and fresh garnishes make it perfect for holiday pictures.
• Light and Refreshing: Great for brunch, pre dinner drinks, or afternoon gatherings.

These qualities make the Pomegranate Champagne Spritz a drink you will want to keep in your holiday rotation. It brings together seasonal flavor and sparkling charm in a simple, reliable way.

Ingredients

The ingredients in this spritz are straightforward, but they work together beautifully to create a bright and refreshing winter drink. Pomegranate juice brings a rich red color and tart sweetness that pairs well with champagne.

Orange juice adds natural citrus brightness, helping balance the flavors. Champagne brings bubbles and a clean finish that makes the drink lively and celebratory. The garnishes add aroma and color that help the drink stand out.

• 2 oz pomegranate juice
• 1 oz orange juice
• 6 oz champagne
• rosemary sprig for garnish
• orange slice, for garnish
• pomegranate arils for garnish (optional)

Each ingredient serves a purpose. Fresh pomegranate juice tastes the most vibrant, but bottled juice works as well. Orange juice adds a hint of sweetness and creates a rounder flavor profile. Champagne provides sparkle and effervescence, which ties everything together.

The rosemary sprig adds an herbal aroma that feels perfect for winter, and the pomegranate arils or orange slice add visual flair.

Suggested Liquor Brands and Substitutions

While champagne is the classic choice for this spritz, you do not need to use an expensive bottle. Many affordable sparkling wines offer great flavor and pair perfectly with the pomegranate. The key is choosing something dry enough to balance the juice without making the drink too sweet. You can also swap the sparkling wine depending on what you have available or what flavor you prefer.

• La Marca Prosecco: A bright and approachable option that blends smoothly with fruit.
• Mionetto Prosecco: Slightly crisp with a nice finish that complements citrus.
• Korbel Brut: A budget friendly California champagne with a dry, clean flavor.
• Freixenet Cava: A Spanish sparkling wine with great bubbles and balance.
• Sub for Champagne: Use prosecco for a fruitier profile or cava for a drier one.
• Sub for Pomegranate Juice: Try cranberry juice for a lighter red color and tarter taste.

These options make it easy to mix this drink with whatever sparkling wine you enjoy most. Even with substitutions, the spritz still tastes festive and refreshing.

Equipment and Glassware

One of the best parts of this drink is how little equipment you need. There is no shaking or stirring required. Everything builds directly in the glass, which makes it ideal for serving guests quickly. A large wine glass works best because it gives the champagne room to bubble and helps the garnishes float beautifully.

You’ll need:

• Jigger
• Wine Glass
• Bar Spoon

Chilling your glass beforehand adds an extra touch of refinement and keeps your spritz colder longer. Using a clear stemmed glass allows the deep red color to stand out and gives the drink a polished holiday look.

How to Make It

This Pomegranate Champagne Spritz is incredibly simple to prepare, which makes it perfect for busy holiday mornings or gatherings where you want to serve something festive without spending much time mixing. The key is pouring the champagne slowly so it keeps its bubbles.

1. Add the orange juice and pomegranate juice to a wine glass. This creates the flavorful base and the signature holiday red color.
2. Top with champagne, pouring slowly to maintain the bubbles. Allow it to rise gently so it stays airy and sparkling.
3. Garnish with a rosemary sprig and either an orange slice or a few pomegranate arils for a pop of color and added fragrance.
4. Serve immediately and enjoy your fresh and festive winter drink.

If you prefer a sweeter spritz, you can add a small splash of simple syrup. A bit more champagne will make it lighter and more bubbly. This recipe is easy to adjust to your taste.

Pro Tips

A few helpful tips can make your Pomegranate Champagne Spritz even better. Since the drink relies on just a few ingredients, small details really stand out. These suggestions can help you elevate the flavors and presentation so your spritz tastes refreshing and looks beautiful.

• Chill everything before mixing so the drink stays cold and crisp.
• Use fresh pomegranate juice when possible for deeper color and taste.
• Pour champagne slowly so the bubbles stay lively.
• Try different garnishes like a twist of orange peel for extra aroma.
• Add pomegranate arils directly to the glass for a little burst of flavor.
• Use dry champagne or sparkling wine if you want a cleaner, less sweet drink.
• Serve immediately because the bubbles fade if the drink sits too long.

Once you get comfortable, you can adjust sweetness or citrus levels to match your preferences. This spritz is very flexible and easy to customize.

Variations

This spritz is easy to play with, and even small changes can create fun new versions while keeping the winter theme. Whether you like something sweeter, fruitier, or completely alcohol free, there are plenty of options.

• Non Alcoholic Version: Use sparkling water or non alcoholic champagne with the juices.
• Sweeter Spritz: Add half an ounce of simple syrup or use a sweeter prosecco.
• Citrus Twist: Replace the orange juice with blood orange juice for a deeper flavor.
• Herbal Variation: Add a small splash of rosemary syrup for extra aroma.
• Bolder Option: Use sparkling rosé for a richer color and fuller fruit notes.

These variations help you tailor the drink to different occasions or to pair with different foods.

When to Serve and Pairings

The Pomegranate Champagne Spritz is perfect for holiday gatherings where you want something light, sparkling, and cheerful. It works especially well for Christmas brunch, New Year’s Eve celebrations, winter bridal showers, or afternoon get togethers. Since it is not too strong, it pairs nicely with a wide variety of foods without overpowering them.

Pair it with:

• Brunch items like pastries, French toast, or fruit trays
• Cheese boards with brie, goat cheese, or manchego
• Light appetizers such as smoked salmon or shrimp cocktail
• Seasonal desserts like cranberry bars or citrus tarts
• Other holiday cocktails like a Cranberry Mimosa or Winter Aperol Spritz

This spritz fits right into any winter menu and adds a bright, celebratory note.

Storage and Serving Notes

Because this drink uses champagne, it is best made fresh and served immediately. The bubbles fade quickly once poured, so mix each spritz right before serving. If you want to prepare part of the drink ahead of time, you can combine the pomegranate and orange juices in a small pitcher and refrigerate it.

When guests arrive, pour the juices into glasses and top them with chilled champagne. Keep extra garnishes on hand so each glass looks festive and complete.

FAQs

People sometimes have questions when making champagne based cocktails, especially when mixing them with citrus or fruit juices. Here are some answers to help you prepare the best version of this spritz.

Can I use prosecco instead of champagne?
Yes, prosecco works beautifully and often gives the drink a slightly sweeter finish. It is a great budget friendly option.

Does the pomegranate juice need to be fresh?
Fresh juice tastes the brightest, but bottled juice works perfectly if that is what you have.

Can I make this drink sweeter?
Add a small splash of simple syrup or use a sweeter sparkling wine like asti.

What if I want a stronger drink?
You can add a half ounce of vodka or orange liqueur, but keep the balance light so the champagne still shines.

Can I make this for a large group?
Yes. Pre mix the juices in a pitcher and top each glass with champagne as you serve.

More Cocktails to Try

If you enjoy this Pomegranate Champagne Spritz, there are plenty of other festive drinks to explore for the holiday season. Each one brings its own seasonal flair and works well for winter gatherings.

• Cranberry Mimosa a bubbly brunch classic with tart cranberry.
• Pomegranate Prosecco Winter Punch a fruity and sparkling party drink.
• Winter Paloma a bright tequila cocktail with rosemary and grapefruit.
• Cranberry Gin Fizz a crisp gin drink with citrus and bubbles.
• Bacan Winter Spritz a refreshing gin based option with aromatic garnishes.