Holiday Rum Negroni with Sparkling Wine Recipe

If you’re on the lookout for something festive, sparkling, and just a little bit different to brighten your holiday gatherings, I have just the thing for you: a Holiday Rum Negroni with Sparkling Wine Recipe. This cocktail is a delightful twist on the classic Negroni that combines the warmth of amber rum with the bittersweet flavor of Campari and vermouth, all topped off with lively, bubbly sparkling wine. I absolutely love how this turns out—it’s festive yet sophisticated, and so easy to whip up when you want to impress but keep things relaxed. Trust me, once you try this, it will become your go-to holiday sipper.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Holiday Rum Negroni with Sparkling Wine Recipe plays a part in creating a perfectly balancedcocktail. Choosing the right rum and vermouth can really elevate the final taste — don’t worry, I’ll share what works best from experience.

• Amber or gold rum: Adds smooth, rich complexity with caramel notes; avoid white rum here for less depth.
• Campari: The classic bitter component — it should be vibrant and slightly sweet to contrast well.
• Sweet vermouth: I love Cocchi Vermouth di Torino for its rich but balanced sweetness that complements the rum.
• Sparkling white wine (preferably dry Prosecco): Adds effervescent brightness; pick a dry style to keep the cocktail from being too sweet.
• Orange twist: The zest oils add aromatic flair and a splash of color.
• Fresh cranberries: These make for a festive, pretty garnish and a subtle tart pop.

Variations

I love encouraging a little creativity with this drink — it’s surprisingly flexible, so don’t be shy about adjusting it to your personal taste or the ingredients you have on hand.

• Swap rum for gin: If you prefer the classic bright herbal notes of gin, this variation brings out that familiar Negroni spirit with a sparkling flair.
• Use blood orange bitters: I tried adding this once and it gave a beautiful, deeper, citrusy warmth that really suits winter celebrations.
• Adjust sweetness: If you like it less bitter, lean towards a bit more sweet vermouth or a splash more sparkling wine.
• Herbal sprigs garnish: Add rosemary or thyme sprigs for a fragrant seasonal touch.

How to Make Holiday Rum Negroni with Sparkling Wine Recipe

Step 1: Stir the base mix

Start by pouring your amber rum, Campari, and sweet vermouth into a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir gently for about 20-30 seconds until well chilled and combined. This step is key — the stirring chills and dilutes the base just right, creating a smooth backbone without dimming the sparkle.

Step 2: Strain into your glass

Strain the chilled mixture into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice cubes. This keeps the cocktail cold and gives you that classic Negroni presentation. I always use large ice cubes when I can — they melt slower and keep the balance intact longer.

Step 3: Top with sparkling wine

Now, here’s the magic: top off the mixture with about 3 ounces of dry sparkling white wine—Prosecco is my favorite — poured gently to keep those bubbles lively. This lightens the texture and adds festive sparkle, perfect for holiday cheer.

Step 4: Garnish and serve

Finish things off with a twist of orange peel — I like to squeeze the peel over the glass to release those fragrant oils — and drop in a few fresh cranberries for an extra pop of color and tartness. Serve immediately for the best experience because the bubbles fade if you wait.

How to Serve Holiday Rum Negroni with Sparkling Wine Recipe

Garnishes

I usually stick with an orange twist and a handful of fresh cranberries. The orange zest gives that classic citrus aroma, while the cranberries add a festive pop of color and a little tart contrast that wakes up the palate. If I’m feeling fancy, a sprig of rosemary adds a lovely piney scent that’s perfect for winter holidays.

Side Dishes

This cocktail pairs beautifully with salty, savory bites like roasted nuts, a charcuterie board, or even spiced holiday cookies. I’ve found my family goes crazy for this drink when served alongside warm, buttery shortbread — the contrast of sweet and bitter is unbeatable.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun holiday party, try serving the Holiday Rum Negroni with Sparkling Wine Recipe in festive glasses rimmed with colored sugar or cinnamon sugar. I’ve also set up a DIY cocktail station with all the ingredients and garnishes so guests can mix their own personalized drinks — it’s always a hit and keeps things interactive.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This is one cocktail best enjoyed fresh — because of the sparkling wine, it loses its fizz if left too long. If you have leftovers, store the base mix (rum, Campari, sweet vermouth) in the fridge sealed tight, but don’t add sparkling wine until right before serving.

Freezing

I’d advise against freezing this cocktail — the sparkling wine will lose fizz, and the texture of the drink changes unpredictably. Best to enjoy it fresh and keep the ingredients separate if you want to prep ahead.

Reheating

Since this is a cold, sparkling cocktail, reheating isn’t really a thing here. If you do end up with the base mix in the fridge, just give it a gentle stir and top with chilled sparkling wine when serving.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Holiday Rum Negroni with Sparkling Wine Recipe is one of those gems I discovered when I wanted something both familiar and special for holiday entertaining. It balances warmth, bitterness, and sparkle in such a delightful, unexpected way. Every time I serve it, friends ask for the recipe or a second round—so trust me, you’ll want to keep this one in your cocktail repertoire. Give it a try at your next get-together and watch it become a new holiday tradition!

Print