Author: Madeline Mahoney

Photographer: Karina Mak

The excitement of being 21 has not worn off yet, so I am back with another cocktail recipe! Typically, I am a fan of a good old gin-and-tonic or anything with elderflower liqueur, so I went in search of a new cocktail that would feel a little more appropriate for these chilly Chicago winters. I ended up finding and creating my own version of the very wintery poinsettia cocktail.

This recipe is simple with easy-to-locate ingredients, which makes it a great choice for any winter gathering. For alcohol, I used Cava, a Spanish sparkling wine, but this could easily be replaced with Champagne or Prosecco. One warning – as my friend and taste-tester put it, “It doesn’t even taste like alcohol!” so be careful!

Recipe: Poinsettia Cocktail

Prep Time: 5-10 minutes

Serving Size: 2-3 drinks

Ingredients

One lime

Cane sugar

A bottle of Cava

Orange bitters

Cranberry juice

Rosemary (to garnish)

Instructions

Rim the glasses by squeezing lime juice into a small dish, and putting a thin layer of cane sugar in another
Dip the rim of your glass first in the lime juice and then in the cane sugar, rotating to achieve an even coat of sugar
Fill the glass ⅓ of the way with your sweetened cranberry juice
Add a dash of orange bitters for a more complex flavor
Fill the other ⅔ with Cava
Garnish with rosemary

As you see, this recipe is super quick and easy! The resulting cocktail is bubbly and fresh. The cranberry flavor, hint of rosemary, and beautiful red color make it perfect for the holidays. It is a great choice for gatherings. (I personally serve it during my weekly viewing of the Bachelor with friends alongside snacks like focaccia or cheese and crackers.) The sweet yet refreshing quality of this cocktail is a crowd-pleaser!