The mimosa is one of the most versatile cocktails out there. Whether it’s boozy brunch or a wedding reception, Christmas morning or a sunny day in the garden, there’s never a bad time to enjoy a refreshing mimosa. The two-ingredient cocktail is also super simple to make. However, there’s a little more to it than meets the eye. Below we’ll run you through exactly how to make a mimosa that everyone is guaranteed to love. And at the end we’ve include some suggestions for putting together a mimosa bar, if you’re hosting an event. But first, what is a mimosa and how is it different from other drinks like the Bellini and bucks fizz?
For mimosas, opt for less-expensive Cava or Prosecco. Cava is from Spain and Prosecco is from Italy, but they’re both delicious dry sparkling wines that mix well with juice.
Tips for making the best mimosa
Want to improve your mimosa-making skills? Here are some of our top tips for making a great mimosa.
- Chill the glass in advance to keep the cocktail chilled for longer.
- Pour the Champagne first then top with orange juice to allow the liquids to mix naturally.
- Don’t stir or the bubbles will go flat.
- Avoid using ice as it will dilute the cocktail.
- When making mimosas in bulk/pitchers, don’t make it too far in advance to avoid decarbonisation i.e. no sparkle.
Did you know Italy’s Prosecco wine region is only 1hr from Venice? Find out more about the Prosecco Region and check out our Prosecco Wine Tours here.
The mimosa is an easy drink to play around with. There are plenty of mimosa variations already out there, or you could try making your own. Below are some of the most popular alternative mimosa recipes.
Because nothing goes together better than strawberries and Champagne. Simply puree strawberries in a blender with the orange juice, then add to the Champagne. Add some fresh or frozen strawberries to garnish.
Swap the orange juice for pineapple juice and add to the Champagne. The pineapple juice gives the mimosa an extra summery and tropical flavour.
Mix one-part orange juice, one-part cranberry juice, and one-part Champagne. Swap the orange juice with an orange liqueur for a stronger cocktail. This mimosa variation is also known as the Poinsettia due to its popularity around Christmas time. Like Cranberry cocktails? Check out this Cranberry Orange Margarita.
Add together one part apple cider with two-parts Champagne. You can also add brandy or dark rum for a more intense flavour. Finally, coat the rim of the glass with sugar and cinnamon. This is one of the best mimosa recipes for the colder autumn/fall and winter months.
For a non-alcoholic mimosa, swap the sparkling wine for soda, sparkling water, or even ginger ale. Flavoured sparkling water, such as lemon or lime, will give the virgin cocktail a fresher, fruitier taste. Alternatively, there are plenty of alcohol-free sparkling wines on the market. Use that instead of Champagne. Just check the label and get one without added sugar to keep close to the original mimosa flavour.
Bellini vs Mimosa – What’s the difference?
A bellini and a mimosa are similar cocktails, in that they both consist of sparkling wine and a fruity mixer. But these two drinks certainly aren’t the same.
Firstly, a mimosa is traditionally made with French Champagne, while a Bellini is made with Italian Prosecco. And secondly, a mimosa uses fresh citrus juice – most commonly orange juice – to cut through the Champagne, while a Bellini is made with peach puree.
Related:
What Is the Best Champagne For Mimosas? | Episode #023
FAQ
What is the best cheap alcohol for mimosas?
What alcohol goes in mimosas?
Can I use moscato for mimosa?
What can I use instead of Champagne in a Mimosa?
Dry bubblies work best since they balance out the sweetness of the fruit juice (most often orange juice) and the orange liqueur. To get the best results, use chilled and fresh juice in mimosas. If you are looking for affordable alternatives, the Spanish Cavaor the Italian Proseccocan be used instead of Champagne to prepare delicious mimosas.
What are some alternatives to Mimosas?
So, here are some alternatives to the classic mimosa to try out this weekend. Or on a Wednesday. We won’t tell. • 1. Grapefruit Juice and Champagne. This is a favorite in our house, a very simple twist on a mimosa- just fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice instead of orange. Use ruby red grapefruit juice for some color.
What is the best champagne for Mimosas?
The best Champagne for mimosas isn’t actually Champagne. For mimosas, opt for less-expensive Cava or Prosecco. Cava is from Spain and Prosecco is from Italy, but they’re both delicious dry sparkling wines that mix well with juice. Bonus? They’re affordable. A good bottle of Cava or Prosecco will run about $12 to $16.
Can you mix sparkling wine and orange juice for Mimosas?
Any member of the orange family will yield delicious juice for mimosas, from navel oranges to blood oranges to clementines. The perfect ratio of sparkling wine to orange juice is up to you. My suggestion? Start with the 50/50 ratio suggested below and adjust from there.