Festive Holiday Drinks: with a Hot Honey Rim
Looking for the perfect holiday drink that’s stunning, delicious, and incredibly easy to make? This season, elevate your celebrations with pomegranate, raspberry, and orange apple cider ice cubes paired with crisp Prosecco and a hot honey rim that adds the perfect sweet-spicy kick.
This simple yet show-stopping cocktail is ideal for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, winter parties, or anytime you want to wow your guests with minimal effort.
Why This Holiday Cocktail Is Trending
If you’ve been on social media lately, you’ve probably seen the rise of circular ice trays and floating garnish ice. Not only are they beautiful, but they also chill your drink slower, preventing dilution while infusing subtle seasonal flavors.
Adding pomegranate seeds, orange slices, and star anise into the ice creates an aromatic, jewel-toned centerpiece in every glass—making your Prosecco sparkle with holiday spirit.
This is the kind of drink guests will photograph before they even take a sip.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Festive Ice Circles
Pomegranate seeds and raspberries
Blood orange slices
Whole star anise
Apple Cider
Circular ice trays
For the Cocktail
Chilled Prosecco (or any sparkling wine)
Hot honey
A small plate of sugar or sugar + chili powder blend
Optional: splash of Aperol, St-Germain, or pomegranate juice for extra color
How to Make the Holiday Ice Garnishes
Prep Your Circular Ice Trays
Place a few pomegranate seeds, raspberries, orange slices (we cut ours into quarters), and a star anise pod in each well of your circular tray.
Pour Apple Cider over the fruit and spices.
Freeze Overnight
How to Create the Hot Honey Rim
This step transforms the drink from “pretty” to “unforgettable.”
Spread the hot honey thinly on a small plate.
On a second plate, sprinkle sugar to cut the heat
Dip the rim of each champagne flute into the honey, then into the sugar coating.
The result? A sweet and spicy sparkle that pairs perfectly with bubbly.
Assemble the Cocktail
Add one festive ice circle to each champagne flute. Pour chilled Prosecco over the top.
Each sip is crisp, wintery, citrusy, and just sweet enough—while the melting apple cider slowly infuses the drink with warm spice and fruit notes.
Why Guests Love This Drink
It’s visually stunning – the decorated ice acts like edible holiday décor.
It’s simple – mostly assembly, minimal bartending required.
It’s customizable – works with sparkling water, non-alcoholic prosecco, or rosé.
It’s make-ahead – freeze the ice the day before your party.
Perfect Occasions for Serving This
Holiday cocktail parties
Christmas brunch
New Year’s Eve toasts
Winter weddings or showers
Cozy nights in with friends
This Pomegranate, Star Anise & Orange Holiday Prosecco Cocktail with a hot honey rim is the perfect blend of beauty, flavor, and seasonal charm. Whether you’re hosting a large gathering or serving two glasses by the fire, this drink brings a luxurious, handcrafted touch to any celebration.