Classic Mimosa Recipe

Learn how to make a classic mimosa at home with our easy recipe, tips, and tricks! This orange juice cocktail uses only 2 ingredients, champagne, and chilled orange juice. A classic brunch cocktail and perfect for any time of the year!

Traditionally served in champagne flutes, this simple cocktail is truly perfect for any holiday or occasion, especially brunch. 

They are light and refreshing, with just the right amount of sweetness. The most popular mimosa is made with orange juice and champagne, but they can also be made with other fruit juices, such as grapefruit or cranberry.

This refreshing drink is typically served in tall glasses, garnished with a slice of orange or a sprig of mint. They can be enjoyed on their own or paired with breakfast or brunch dishes. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying a lazy Sunday morning, mimosas are always a welcome treat.

If you’re hosting a Christmas brunch, Easter Brunch, Garden Party, Mother’s Day picnic or putting together a bubbly bar for a graduation party, mimosa must be on the menu. They’re easy for the host to put together and there are several variations you can make!

This classic cocktail is on the International Bartender Association’s IBA list and the official definition is equal parts orange juice and Champagne. That’s exactly how we like to make it as well! However, feel free to create your own ratio. If you like a stronger cocktail add 2 ounces orange juice and 4 ounces sparkling white wine.

Also, check out our mimosa made with prosecco!

How to Make The Best Mimosa

Ingredients 

This is one of the easiest cocktails you’ll ever make. It consists of only 2 simple ingredients: 

Sparkling White Wine or Champagne – You can use any type of white wine, but champagne is the most traditional choice. Other good options include sparkling wine and prosecco.

orange juice – We recommend using fresh-squeezed orange juice or buying freshly squeezed orange juice at the store. There is nothing better than fresh orange juice in homemade mimosas.

Mimosa in 3 Easy Steps

Making a mimosa is easy! Follow these three steps:

1. Pour the orange juice into a Champagne flute 1/2 way full.
2. Top with champagne until the glass is filled. Let the bubbles settle and top it off again.
3. Garnish with a slice of orange or a sprig of mint.

We find that the best ratio is 50/50 between sparkling white wine and orange juice. For a stronger cocktail, you can also do 2 parts sparkling wine and 1 part orange juice.

Tips for Making Our Mimosa Recipe

Here are some tips for making a perfect mimosa.

Add a Splash of Grand Marnier – It gives it extra flavor and is our favorite way to drink a mimosa. 

Use a Champagne Flute – This glass is designed to preserve carbonation. They are perfect for celebrations and the only glass of sparkling wine and Champagne should be served in. These are the ones we used.

Make a Batch – If you’re serving many people, mix the mimosa up in a larger pitcher then pour it into each glass.

Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice – To make them the best, use freshly squeezed orange juice. Make this the day before and store it in the refrigerator. 

Cold Ingredients – You want the orange juice and sparkling wine to be chilled, so make sure they’re both cold before serving. You can leave them in the refrigerator overnight.

Chill The Glass – Since you don’t add ice to this drink, chilling the Champagne flutes helps create a smoother, super-cold cocktail when sipping. 

Garnishes for a Mimosa

Mimosas are typically garnished with a slice of orange or a sprig of mint. But there are many other ways to garnish your drink:

• Try using seasonal fruit, such as strawberries or raspberries.

• You can also garnish with edible flowers, such as pansies or roses.

• Dehydrated oranges slices cut in half look nice too.

Best Champagne for Mimosas 

Find out more about the best Champagne for Mimosas. Also here are some quick suggestions: 

Look for a dry sparkling wine, that’s not too sweet. Dry sparkling wines are made from non-aromatic grapes and are usually labeled as Brut. 

Since you’re mixing the sparkling white wine with orange juice you don’t need to spend a lot of money on the wine. A $12 to $15 bottle will be perfect for making mimosas. 

An inexpensive bottle of Prosecco or Cava will also work for making mimosas. 

5 Types of Oranges

Oranges are juicy and sweet with a slightly acidic taste. They’re a type of citrus fruit that is typically round and bright orange. There are many different varieties of oranges you can use to make this drink. You can even grow your own oranges in some areas! Here are a few of our favorites that you can pick up at your local grocery store:

Name 5 types of oranges

– Valencia oranges

– Navel oranges

– Blood oranges

– Mandarin oranges

– Clementine oranges

Best Way to Serve a Mimosa

There are a few things to keep in mind when serving mimosas. First, make sure the champagne is well chilled before adding the orange juice. You can also add a splash of orange liqueur, such as Grand Marnier, to the glass for an extra kick.

Pitcher of Mimosas

If you’re serving mimosas for a large group, you can make a pitcher of them in advance. Combine the orange juice and champagne in a pitcher and refrigerate until ready to serve. When you’re ready to serve, pour them into glasses and garnish them with orange slices or mint sprigs.

Blood Orange Mimosa Recipe

One of our favorite mimosa variations is made with blood orange. Blood oranges are in season from December through April. They give the cocktail a vibrant reddish-pink color and have a sweeter flavor. 

To make a blood orange mimosa, simply switch out the orange juice for freshly squeezed blood orange juice. 

Tequila Sunrise Mimosas Recipe

For a fun and festive twist on the classic mimosa, try making tequila sunrise mimosas. To make these mimosas, you will need orange juice, tequila, and grenadine. Combine equal parts of orange juice and tequila. Then, add a splash of grenadine. Garnish with a slice of orange or cherry.

Mimosa Recipe Variations 

There are many ways to change up this classic cocktail. For a sweeter drink, you can add a splash of Grenadine or try using sparkling wine instead of champagne.

If you’re looking for something with a bit more of a kick, you can add a shot of vodka or swap out the orange juice for grapefruit juice.

And if you really want to impress your guests, you can create a mimosa bar where guests can customize their drinks to their liking.

Here are a few of our favorites juices you can switch out below:

Cranberry Juice – Makes a Poinsettia cocktail that is perfect for the holidays 

Grapefruit Juice – If you’re looking for a mimosa with a bit of a kick, try using grapefruit juice instead of orange juice. Grapefruit mimosas are refreshing and tart.

Lemonade – Use fresh lemonade. 

Pineapple Juice – For a tropical twist on the classic mimosa, try using pineapple juice instead of orange juice. Combine equal parts of pineapple juice and champagne, and garnish with a slice of pineapple or a sprig of mint

Pear Juice – For a unique and refreshing mimosa, try using pear juice in place of orange juice. Pear mimosas are a delicious way to change up your brunch beverage.

pomegranate juice – Pomegranate mimosas are a delicious and festive alternative to the classic drink. To make a pomegranate mimosa, combine equal parts of pomegranate juice

Apple Cider – Make apple cider mimosas for fall!

We even made a carrot and blood orange mimosa that was fantastic for Easter! 

You can also add a splash of Grand Marnier, Chambord or Lillet. 

When to Serve a Mimosa

This is the quintessential brunch cocktail, but it’s a perfect cocktail for any special occasion! Here are a few ideas:

Pool Party 

Birthday Party it’s also perfect for a last-minute birthday party!

Garden Party 

Tea Party

Graduation Party

Mother’s Day

Baby Showers

Virgin Mimosa

If you want to enjoy a non-alcoholic mimosa, replace the sparkling wine with sparkling soda or sparkling grape juice like Martinelli’s. 

How to Make a Mimosa Bar

For a fun and festive brunch, similar to our spritzer bar, try setting up a mimosa bar! Set out a variety of juices, fruits, and bubbly beverages. Let your guests mix and match to create their perfect drink.

Place out Champagne flutes with a few bottles of sparkling wine.

Fill carafes with different juices like orange, grapefruit, pear juice, or apple cider. 

In small bowls have berries and citrus slices to garnish glasses.

Put out a few liqueurs for guests to add a splash! 

Benefits of Drinking a Mimosa

Mimosas are a good source of Vitamin C. Orange juice is rich in Vitamin C, which is an essential nutrient for maintaining a healthy immune system. Additionally, they contain antioxidants, which can help protect your cells from damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What alcohol is best for mimosas?

Mimosas are traditionally made with champagne, but you can also use sparkling wine or prosecco. If you want a non-alcoholic mimosa, you can use sparkling water or ginger ale instead of champagne.

How much orange juice should I use?

The orange juice to champagne ratio is typically one part orange juice to two parts champagne. However, you can adjust this to suit your own taste. If you prefer a sweeter mimosa, use more orange juice.

Why are they called mimosas?

There are a few theories about how the mimosa got its name. One theory is that it was named after the Mimosa tree, which is also known as the Silk Tree. This tree is native to Africa and Asia, and its flowers are a bright yellow color. Another theory is that the drink was named after the Spanish word for orange, naranja.

What is the difference between sparkling white wine and Champagne?

The main difference between sparkling white wine and champagne is that champagne is made from grapes grown in the Champagne region of France. Sparkling white wine can be made from any type of grape and can come from anywhere in the world. Champagne is also made using a specific method, which includes a second fermentation process in the bottle. This gives champagne its unique flavor and bubbles.

How long do mimosas last?

Mimosas will last for up to 24 hours if stored in the fridge. However, the bubbles will start to go flat after a few hours. So if you want to enjoy your mimosa at its best, it’s best to drink it within a few hours of making it.

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