Name: Christmas Morning Sunrise Cocktail
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 285 min
Ingredients: 3/4 cup sugar; 1/2 cup water; 1 cup cranberry juice; 1 tbsp grenadine; 2 cups orange juice; 1 cup chilled prosecco

Cranberry juice in simple syrup creates a holiday-flavored base for this drink. Christmas Morning Sunrise is perfect for the holidays.

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Enjoy the festivities of Christmas morning with a delicious cranberry cocktail that you can make ahead. We are calling this the Christmas Morning Sunrise because the cranberries make me think of the seasons and when layered, it looks a bit like the colors of a sunrise.

This reminds me a bit of a mimosa. It’s a drink that can be sipped and enjoyed with brunch. Most of it can be made ahead of time. It’s great for Christmas morning when you want something quick and easy without even getting the cocktail shaker dirty.

I know the day is full of joy but can also be a bit stressful. Especially if you are hosting the dinner that evening. Make this for a quick way to relax in the morning and set the mood for the rest of the holiday.

Serving Suggestions & Tips

Add maraschino cherries to the grenadine syrup for a stronger cherry flavor, then double strain those out before cooling.
You can switch this to a tequila sunrise cocktail (made famous by Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones in the early 1970s) by adding a splash of your favorite tequila such as Jose Cuervo.
Garnish the glass with a maraschino cherry, an orange slice, or a fresh cranberry.
Use the grenadine syrup in other drink recipes. Try mixing it with some lime juice, soda water, pineapple juice, grapefruit juice, or coconut milk for a fruity cocktail.
Do not use ice cubes in the drink as it will end up mixing the layers. Instead make sure the liquids are all cold before building the drink.
For a stronger drink, add a grenadine float on top or mix some orange liqueur with the orange juice.
Use your favorite cocktail glass such as a highball glass, hurricane glass, champagne flute, or any other tall glass.

Christmas Morning Sunrise Cocktail Step by Step

Ingredients

3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 cup cranberry juice
1 tbsp grenadine
2 cups orange juice
1 cup chilled prosecco

Preparation

In a medium saucepan, cook the sugar and water over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool for 30 minutes.

Simple syrup being boiled in a saucepan over a white wooden surface

Add cranberry juice and grenadine to the cooled simple syrup. This creates a simple syrup infused with cranberry flavors.

Cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least 4 hours. This can also be made up to two days in advance. Stop here and put this in the refrigerator in a sealed container. Make the rest of the drink when you are ready to serve.

Cranberry simple syrup for Christmas Morning Sunrise Cocktail in a mason jar on a white wooden surface

Fill 4 glasses with ice and pour 1/4 cup of the cranberry simple syrup into each glass to make a red layer at the bottom of the glass. Use the back of the spoon to slowly pour 1/2 cup of orange juice into each glass (do not stir). Slowly pour 1/4 cup of Prosecco over the back of a spoon on top of the glass of orange juice (do not stir to get your sunrise effect). Serve immediately.

3 glasses of Christmas Morning Sunrise Cocktail with a white and red towel behind all on a wooden surface

Christmas Morning Sunrise Cocktail Leftovers

The drink will not keep once everything is poured. Only pour as many Christmas Morning Sunrise drinks as you plan to serve. The cranberry simple syrup can be returned to the refrigerator for a few more days.

Recipe

Originally Published On: December 4, 2020

Last Updated On: October 24, 2024

Christmas Morning Sunrise Cocktail

Cranberry juice in simple syrup creates a holiday-flavored base for this drink. Christmas Morning Sunrise is perfect for the holidays.

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Cool Time 4 30

Total Time 4 45

Course:

Drinks

Cuisine:

American

Keyword:

alcoholic

christmas

cocktail

drink

Dietary Needs:

Dairy-Free

Egg-Free

Gluten-Free

Nut-Free

Servings:

5 from 2 votes

Ingredients

3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 cup cranberry juice
1 tbsp grenadine
2 cups orange juice
1 cup chilled prosecco

Recommended Equipment

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, cook the sugar and water over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes
Remove from the heat and let cool for 30 minutes
Add cranberry juice and grenadine to the cooled simple syrup
Cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least 4 hours
Fill 4 glasses with ice and pour 1/4 cup of the cranberry simple syrup in each glass
Use the back of a spoon to slowly pour 1/2 cup of orange juice into each glass (do not stir)
Slowly pour 1/4 cup of Prosecco over the back of a spoon on top of the orange juice (do not stir)
Serve immediately

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Nutrition Facts

Christmas Morning Sunrise Cocktail

Amount Per Serving (1 cup)

Calories 272 Calories from Fat 9

% Daily Value*

Fat 1g2%

Saturated Fat 1g5%

Sodium 10mg0%

Potassium 349mg10%

Carbohydrates 62g21%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 58g64%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 276IU6%

Vitamin C 68mg82%

Calcium 24mg2%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.