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Festive Sparkling Apple Cider Mimosa Bar

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A simple yet festive mimosa bar featuring sparkling apple cider, champagne or prosecco, and a variety of garnishes like cinnamon sticks, apple slices, and cranberries. Perfect for holiday brunches or fall gatherings, this setup lets guests customize their own drinks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) sparkling apple cider, chilled
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) champagne or prosecco, chilled
  • 2–3 apples (mix of red and green), thinly sliced
  • 6–8 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries
  • Honey or maple syrup (for rimming glasses)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • Fresh rosemary or sage sprigs
  • Dried apple rings (optional, for garnish)
  • Ice cubes (optional)
  • For the candied cranberries (optional):
  • 1/2 cup fresh cranberries
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons water

Instructions

  1. Prep the garnishes: Wash and dry apples, cranberries, and herbs. Slice apples thinly (about 1/4-inch thick) and remove seeds. If making candied cranberries, combine cranberries, sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring gently, until sugar dissolves and cranberries soften (about 3 minutes). Drain, then roll in extra sugar while tacky. Spread on a parchment-lined tray to dry (about 15 minutes).
  2. Rim the glasses: Pour a thin layer of honey or maple syrup onto a small plate. On another plate, mix sugar and cinnamon. Dip the rim of each glass into the honey, then into the cinnamon sugar mixture, twisting gently to coat evenly. Tap off excess. Let sit for a minute to set.
  3. Arrange the garnish station: Place small bowls on a tray or platter. Fill one with apple slices, one with cinnamon sticks, one with fresh or candied cranberries, and one with rosemary or sage sprigs. Add dried apple rings if using. Arrange for easy access.
  4. Set up the drinks: Chill sparkling apple cider and champagne or prosecco thoroughly. Place in an ice bucket or cooler if serving outdoors. For pre-batching, combine 2 parts cider to 1 part champagne in a large pitcher and stir gently. Otherwise, set out bottles with a bottle opener for guests to pour their own.
  5. Build the perfect glass: Fill glass halfway with sparkling apple cider, then top with champagne or prosecco. Add a cinnamon stick, a few apple slices, a handful of cranberries, and a sprig of rosemary or sage. Stir gently with the cinnamon stick. For a sweeter drink, add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup before pouring. For less sweet, use more champagne than cider.
  6. Serve immediately: Best enjoyed right away while bubbles are lively and garnishes are fresh. For a crowd, pre-fill glasses with garnishes and let guests add liquids themselves.

Notes

Chill everything thoroughly before serving to keep bubbles intact. Use a dry Brut or extra-dry Prosecco to balance the sweetness of the cider. For a non-alcoholic version, skip the champagne and use extra sparkling cider or sparkling white grape juice. Garnishes can be prepped a day ahead; store apple slices in lemon water to prevent browning. Candied cranberries keep in an airtight container for up to a week.

Nutrition

Keywords: mimosa bar, apple cider mimosa, fall cocktail, holiday brunch, sparkling apple cider, champagne cocktail, easy brunch drink

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