The Grinch Mimosa: Your Ultimate Green Christmas Cocktail for a Festive Brunch

(By Jason Griffith)

This is the holiday cocktail that proves it’s okay to be a little mischievous at your Christmas gathering. Forget the traditional orange juice—we’re going full-on Who-ville with the Grinch Mimosa.

This drink is festive, fizzy, and just plain fun. With its bright, electric green color and a sweet-tart flavor profile, it instantly brings a smile to everyone’s face. It’s the perfect centerpiece for a holiday brunch, a fun addition to a cookie-decorating party, or the signature welcome drink for your next Christmas Eve gathering.

It only takes four simple ingredients and a couple of minutes to pull off, but the results look like you spent all morning on them. You’ll definitely want to add this one to your holiday rotation!

---

Why I Love This Recipe

I’ve made more than a few holiday cocktails in my time, but the Grinch Mimosa is a true showstopper. Here’s why it has become my must-make every December:

1. That Electric Green Color: Honestly, it’s all about the look. The bright green of the Midori combined with the red sugar rim and cherry garnish is pure, instant Christmas cheer. It’s the culinary equivalent of an ugly Christmas sweater—in the best possible way.
2. Surprisingly Balanced Flavor: Don’t let the fun color fool you; this is a genuinely delicious drink. The melon liqueur (Midori) is sweet, but the addition of pineapple juice and sparkling wine gives it a crisp, tangy, and refreshing finish. It’s light, not syrupy.
3. The Effort-to-Impress Ratio: The recipe couldn’t be simpler, but the final presentation is stunning. When you serve this up, people will stop and ask for the recipe. It’s my favorite party trick, right up there with my Unicorn Poke Cake.

---

Grinch Mimosa Recipe

This recipe is written per-glass, which makes scaling it up for a pitcher or a crowd incredibly easy.

Ingredients (Per Glass)

Ingredient	Quantity	Notes
Champagne or Prosecco	3 oz	A dry or brut sparkling wine works best to balance the sweetness of the Midori.
Midori (Melon Liqueur)	2 oz	This is the key to the bright green color.
Pineapple Juice	1 oz	Use 100% juice for the best flavor and balance.
Red Sanding Sugar	1–2 Tbsp	For the glass rim. If you don’t have sanding sugar, a mix of granulated sugar and red food dye works too.
Maraschino Cherry	1	For garnish.
Lime Wedge	1	For wetting the glass rim.

Export to Sheets

Swaps and Notes

• For a Mocktail: Replace the Champagne/Prosecco with sparkling white grape juice or sparkling cider. Omit the Midori and replace it with 2 oz of a non-alcoholic green syrup (like a green apple or lime syrup) and adjust sweetness to taste.
• Sparkling Wine: If you don’t have Champagne or Prosecco, Cava or another dry sparkling wine is a great substitution.
• The Rim: For a little extra flavor, you can mix in a small pinch of lime zest with the red sanding sugar.
• Scaling Up: To make a pitcher, simply multiply the Midori and Pineapple Juice by the number of servings you need, mix those two ingredients together, and then pour a few ounces into each sugar-rimmed glass. Top with the sparkling wine just before serving. Never pre-mix the sparkling wine.

---

Instructions: How to Make the Grinch Mimosa

Follow these simple steps for the perfect festive pour.

Step 1: Prepare the Rim

1. Place the red sanding sugar on a small, flat plate.
2. Run a lime wedge around the entire rim of your champagne flute or coupe glass to moisten it.
3. Dip the moistened rim lightly but evenly into the sanding sugar, rotating the glass until the rim is fully coated.

Step 2: Build the Drink

1. Carefully pour 1 oz of pineapple juice into the bottom of the prepared glass.
2. Next, pour in 2 oz of Midori (melon liqueur).
3. Slowly top the drink with 3 oz of cold Champagne or Prosecco. Pouring slowly will help keep the bubbles intact and prevent overflow.

Step 3: Garnish and Serve

1. Drop a maraschino cherry into the glass. This is the Grinch’s little “heart” that grew three sizes!
2. Serve immediately while the drink is cold and fizzy.

---

Tips for Success

• Keep It Cold: Start with all your ingredients well-chilled—especially the sparkling wine. The colder they are, the slower the ice melts (if you use any) and the longer the drink stays fizzy.
• Rim Prep is Key: Don’t use too much lime juice on the rim, or the sugar will clump and slide off. A thin, even layer is all you need.
• Add Flair: For extra holiday fun, use a small, festive garnish like a candy cane stirrer or a lime peel cut into a star shape.
• Batching Tip: If you are making a large quantity, combine the pineapple juice and Midori in a separate container and keep it chilled. When ready to serve, pour the mix into the glasses and then top with sparkling wine right before guests arrive. Never pre-mix the sparkling wine.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

This festive cocktail is perfectly paired with savory or sweet brunch items. The crisp fizziness cuts nicely through richer foods.

• Savory Pairings: Try it with something cheesy and decadent, like Easy Cheesy Chicken Sliders or a classic quiche. The acidity of the drink is a great contrast to the richness.
• Sweet Pairings: This drink is excellent with holiday treats! Serve alongside a platter of Snow Globe Cookies or my easy Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups.
• Other Holiday Sips: If you want another festive cocktail, you might also like the Slippery Drank, which is another sweet sipper, available here: The Slippery Drank.

---

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Disclaimer: This is an approximation based on standard ingredients and product information. Specific values will vary based on brands and quantities used.

Metric	Approximation
Calories	180–200
Total Fat	0g
Sodium	<5mg
Total Carbohydrates	15g–20g
Sugars	15g–20g
Protein	0g
Alcohol by Volume (ABV)	Approximately 12%

Export to Sheets

---

Storage and Leftover Tips

Because this is a sparkling cocktail, it is best served and consumed immediately.

• Do not store leftovers: Once mixed, the carbonation will quickly dissipate, and the drink will lose its signature fizz and bright flavor.
• Pre-Mix the Base: If you have leftover Midori and pineapple juice mixed together, you can store this non-sparkling base in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you want another cocktail, simply pour the base and top with fresh, cold sparkling wine.
• Leftover Sparkling Wine: If you have leftover champagne or prosecco, use a dedicated sparkling wine stopper to seal the bottle and keep it in the fridge. It may retain fizz for up to 1-3 days.

---

More Recipes You Will Love

Ready to get back in the kitchen? Here are a few more recipes that are perfect for your holiday gatherings:

• These Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups Are My Favorite Winter Treat to Share and Savor
• Easy Cheesy Chicken Sliders with Marinara Garlic Butter
• These Snow Globe Cookies Are My Favorite Holiday Baking Project Ever
• How This Unicorn Poke Cake Became My Favorite Party Trick

---

Final Thoughts

The Grinch Mimosa is more than just a drink; it’s a moment of playful holiday spirit in a glass. It’s easy, visually spectacular, and perfectly balanced for sipping while you exchange gifts or carve the turkey. Give it a try this season—I promise it will be the one cocktail everyone remembers.

Did you try the red sanding sugar rim? Let me know in the comments below! And don’t forget to follow us on social media for more holiday hacks and easy party recipes. Cheers!