At the annual year-end staff celebration, Chef Hayden delighted us with this tasty and festive holiday drink. The poinsettia cocktail mirrors the red and green hues of the poinsettia plant, named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the individual credited with bringing it to the US in the 1820s. The poinsettia cocktail, distinguished by its vibrant red shade evoking the festive flower, blends cranberry juice, orange liqueur, and champagne. A non-alcoholic version can also be made. If your holiday beverages tend to lean towards richer pleasures like hot chocolate and eggnog, the poinsettia cocktail’s light and fruity flavor offers a pleasant change.

Poinsettia Cocktail

Ingredients

24oz cranberry juice

4oz orange liqueur

32oz champagne or sparkling wine (Sprite or 7UP for non-alcoholic)

fresh cranberries (enough for 2-3 cranberries per glass)

sprigs of rosemary (one per glass)

Instructions

Pour cranberry juice, orange liqueur and champagne (or soda for non-alcoholic) into a 64oz pitcher.

Stir to blend.

Garnish with cranberries and a sprig of rosemary.

Serves 8-10 depending on the size of serving glasses.

Happy holidays from the Country Willows staff!