For anyone looking for a festive and refreshing cocktail with a hint of sparkle, or you just need some sparkles in your everyday life, the Golden Sparkling Mandarin Cocktail is a perfect choice.

Made with fresh tangerine or clementine juice, aromatic rosemary, and a touch of bergamot, this cocktail is as refreshing as it is eye-catching.

Topped with prosecco and a sprinkle of edible gold glitter, it's ideal for celebrations, holiday gatherings, or any time you want a luxurious twist in your drink.

More festive cocktails to include at this year's party:

Table of Contents

1. Why you'll love this recipe

9.1. What's the difference between mandarin, tangerine, and clementine?

9.2. u003cstrongu003eCan I make this drink in large batches?u003c/strongu003e

9.3. u003cstrongu003eCan I make this mandarin cocktail ahead?u003c/strongu003e

10. Did you like this recipe? Here are more festive cocktails I'm sure you'll enjoy:

11. Recipe

12. Golden Sparkling Mandarin Cocktail

12.1. Description

12.2. Ingredients

12.3. Mandarin simple syrup

12.4. Mandarin Cocktail

12.5. Instructions

12.6. Nutrition

12.7. Did you make this recipe?

Why you'll love this recipe

This sparkling tangerine cocktail shines at winter holiday gatherings or any festive occasion, and its citrus-forward flavors make it a great pick-me-up in spring or summer too.

The fresh mandarin and hint of rosemary add a seasonal touch, while the prosecco brings a refreshing sparkle that lifts any gathering.

The edible gold glitter adds a fun, elegant detail, making it as beautiful as it is delicious. And it could double as a Golden Snitch cocktail for a Harry Potter party, don't you agree?

Serve it alongside light appetizers like cheese platters, mint citrus salad, pear and manchego appetizer, or herb-roasted nuts for a perfect pairing and the perfect party!

Ingredients

Mandarin juice: Fresh tangerine or clementine juice (ie.; mandarin juice) is the star of this drink, providing a bright, citrusy flavor. Its natural sweetness balances well with the prosecco and bitters. If you have a lot of mandarins - try my Tangerine Marmalade too!
Sugar: Used to make the simple syrup, sugar adds just the right amount of sweetness to enhance the tangerine flavor.
Fresh rosemary: Adds an earthy, herbal note to the simple syrup that complements the citrus.
Mandarin rest: The zest intensifies the tangerine/clementine aroma, making the drink more vibrant and fragrant.
Bergamot oil: Just a couple of tiny drops elevate the flavor, adding floral and citrusy complexity. (Optional if you don't have it on hand.)
Prosecco: A light and bubbly base that balances the sweetness of the simple syrup and juice.
Orange bitters: Adds depth and a hint of bitterness, rounding out the flavors.
Edible gold glitter: Adds a sparkly finishing touch for a festive presentation. Totally optional, but sparkles make me happy!

Instructions

Begin by preparing the tangerine simple syrup. In a small saucepan, combine tangerine juice, sugar, a sprig of fresh rosemary, and the zest of one large tangerine or clementine (1). Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar fully dissolves.

Add 2 drops of bergamot oil (if using) (2), stir, and then remove from heat. Let the syrup cool, then strain out the rosemary and zest (3-4).

For the cocktail: In a shaker, combine freshly squeezed tangerine juice, the prepared tangerine simple syrup, and a small pinch of edible gold glitter (5). Shake well with ice for 15 seconds to chill and mix. The outside of the shaker should get frosty.

Strain into a glass filled with fresh ice. Top with prosecco (adjust based on your preferred strength). Stir gently. Then finish the cocktail with a few drops of orange bitters.

Garnish with a fresh sprig of rosemary and a slice of tangerine for a festive presentation.

Substitutions

Sometimes we just don't have the ingredients, here are some ingredient swaps for flexibility:

Tangerine Juice: If tangerines aren't available, you can use regular oranges or clementines instead.
Rosemary: Fresh thyme works as an alternative if rosemary isn't available.
Bergamot oil: This is optional, so feel free to omit it or substitute it with a drop of orange or lemon essential oil.
Prosecco: Replace with sparkling wine or champagne for a different sparkling base.

Variations

My top variations, although you can make it any way you like it!

Extra boozy: Add 1 ½ ounces of gin to the shaker for a stronger cocktail that adds complexity to the flavors.
Non-alcoholic version: Use sparkling water instead of prosecco and substitute the orange bitters with a peel of tangerine or orange for a light, refreshing mocktail.

Equipment

Cocktail shaker: To blend the tangerine juice and simple syrup smoothly and chill the drink quickly.
Strainer: Essential for keeping ice and any pulp out of the finished drink.
Glass: Serve in a coupe glass or a champagne glass to allow the bubbles to shine.
Saucepan and spoon or whisk: for the simple syrup.

Storage

Store the simple Syrup: Store in a tightly sealed container in the fridge for up to two weeks. The simple syrup can also be frozen, just thaw in the refrigerator overnight when ready to use.

Pre-made cocktails: If you have a leftover mixed cocktail (without prosecco), store it in the refrigerator and add prosecco fresh when serving.

Expert tips

To ensure that the cocktail is its best version, follow these tips:

Fresh juice matters: Use freshly squeezed juice for the best flavor. This holds true for all kinds of juices!
Chill all ingredients: Keeping everything cold will make the cocktail more refreshing and bubbly. Although don't take this religiously, you don't need to chill the bergamot oil or bitters, for instance.
Add prosecco last: Always add the prosecco just before serving to preserve the bubbles. To mix the drink, just carefully take a bar spoon or long spoon and stir.
Choose the right prosecco: I prefer to use an extra dry prosecco, namely a brut prosecco. But you can choose an even drier version (Extra Brut), or a sweeter version (Dry). This boils down to your preference.

Recipe FAQs

What's the difference between mandarin, tangerine, and clementine?

Mandarins are a category of small, orange-colored citrus fruits with loose skin and sweet, mild flesh. They serve as the parent group for other varieties, including tangerines and clementines.

So a tangerine and clementine are always a mandarin, but a mandarin isn't necessarily always a tangerine or clementine.

Tangerines: They're a bit more tart and less sweet than clementines and usually have more seeds.

Clementines: They're super sweet and seedless or have very few seeds. Clementines are easier to peel and have a milder, less tangy flavor than tangerines.

u003cstrongu003eCan I make this drink in large batches?u003c/strongu003e

Yes! Multiply the ingredients, mix them in a pitcher, and add prosecco per glass. One bottle of prosecco is perfect for about 8-10 servings of this mandarin cocktail!

u003cstrongu003eCan I make this mandarin cocktail ahead?u003c/strongu003e

The simple syrup can be made in advance, but assemble the cocktail just before serving for the freshest flavor and bubbles. I also prefer freshly squeezed juices for the same reason.

Enjoy!

Did you like this recipe? Here are more festive cocktails I'm sure you'll enjoy:

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