Christmas Bellini Recipe

by | Nov 15, 2025 | Cocktail Recipes, Holiday Cocktails, Seasonal Cocktails

Christmas Bellini cocktail in a champagne flute with a red-orange hue and orange slice garnish, placed on marble with a mini Christmas tree and warm golden holiday lights in the background.
Get Recipe Ingredients

This Christmas Bellini trades summer peaches for winter fruit and bubbly Prosecco, creating a simple, elegant holiday cocktail that works for Christmas morning brunch, holiday showers, and New Year toasts. It is light, sparkly, and easy to batch when you are hosting a crowd.

Christmas Bellini Recipe

Ingredients

  • 3 oz chilled Prosecco or dry sparkling wine
  • 1 1/2 oz cranberry or pomegranate juice (100 percent juice is best)
  • 1/2 oz orange liqueur (Cointreau or triple sec)
  • Optional 1/4 oz simple syrup, to taste, for a sweeter drink
  • Garnish: fresh cranberries or pomegranate arils and a small orange twist

Instructions

  1. Chill the glass. Place a Champagne flute in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes so your Christmas Bellini stays cold and bubbly.
  2. Build the base. Add the cranberry or pomegranate juice and orange liqueur to the chilled flute. If you prefer a sweeter cocktail, stir in the simple syrup.
  3. Top with bubbles. Slowly top with cold Prosecco, pouring down the side of the glass to keep the bubbles from overflowing.
  4. Garnish and serve. Garnish with a few cranberries or pomegranate arils and a small orange twist. Serve immediately while the drink is cold and fizzy.

Bartender Notes

  • Use very cold Prosecco for the best bubbles. We often keep a backup bottle on ice near the bar for refills.
  • This recipe is slightly less sweet than a classic peach Bellini, which makes it perfect for rich Christmas breakfasts and pastries.
  • Always add the sparkling wine last in the glass. It keeps the drink lively and makes batching easier.
  • In our holiday events, we often set up a Bellini bar with a Christmas Bellini option, a classic peach version, and a non alcoholic sparkling juice so everyone can join the toast.

Personal Story from Our Events

We first rolled out this Christmas Bellini for a Christmas morning brunch wedding where the couple wanted something elegant that photographed well and did not feel too heavy with all the food. The ruby color, bubbles, and simple garnish looked incredible in photos and the drink became one of the first cocktails to run dry at the bar.

Variations

  • White Christmas Bellini – Use white cranberry juice instead of red for a pale, delicate version with sugared cranberry garnish.
  • Christmas Bellini Spritz – Add a splash of soda water for a lower alcohol, extra bubbly version that guests can sip all afternoon.
  • Ginger Christmas Bellini – Add a quarter ounce of ginger syrup or a small piece of candied ginger for extra spice.
  • Non Alcoholic Christmas Bellini – Swap the Prosecco for sparkling white grape juice so kids and non drinkers can enjoy the same look and feel.

Christmas Bellini FAQs

Is a Bellini a Christmas drink?

A classic Bellini is a peach and Prosecco cocktail that was originally designed for summer, but the style is perfect for Christmas too. By swapping in cranberry or pomegranate for peach, a Christmas Bellini becomes a natural fit for holiday brunch, Christmas morning, or New Year toasts.

What is a Christmas Bellini made of?

A Christmas Bellini uses two main parts: chilled Prosecco and a winter fruit base like cranberry or pomegranate. Many recipes, including ours, also add a little orange liqueur and a simple garnish like cranberries and an orange twist.

What is the difference between a Bellini and a Mimosa?

A Bellini uses fruit puree or juice plus sparkling wine, while a Mimosa uses orange juice and sparkling wine in roughly equal parts. A Christmas Bellini leans into cranberry or pomegranate instead of peach and usually uses a smaller amount of juice so the bubbles and fruit are more balanced.

Is a Bellini a strong drink?

Bellinis are relatively light because they are mostly sparkling wine with a smaller amount of fruit juice. The Christmas Bellini is similar in strength and is ideal when you want something festive that will not overpower a long brunch or party.

Can I make a Christmas Bellini in a pitcher?

Yes. For events, we often mix the juice and orange liqueur in a pitcher and chill it ahead of time. When guests arrive, we pour the base into flutes and top each glass with cold Prosecco so the bubbles stay fresh.

What are other popular Christmas drinks?

Along with Christmas Bellinis, guests often ask for eggnog, mulled wine, Christmas margaritas, cranberry mimosas, and peppermint martinis. A mix of one bubbly drink, one creamy option, and one warm option usually keeps everyone happy.

Can I use canned peach puree instead of cranberry for a more classic Bellini?

Absolutely. If you want to blend classic and Christmas styles, you can use peach puree and a splash of cranberry juice for color. The method stays the same and you still get a festive twist on the original Venetian Bellini.

How should I garnish a Christmas Bellini?

We like a few cranberries or pomegranate arils in the bottom of the glass plus a small orange twist on the rim. It looks polished, adds aroma, and does not get in the way when guests take a sip.

Can I make a dairy free Christmas Bellini?

Yes. There is no dairy in a traditional Bellini or this Christmas version, so it is naturally dairy free. Just check your sparkling wine and liqueur labels if you have strict dietary needs.

How many Christmas Bellinis should I plan per guest?

For brunch or short events, plan on one to two Bellinis per guest. For long holiday gatherings, you might plan on two to three plus other drinks like mocktails, water, and coffee.

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