The Perfect Brunch Mimosa

By
Stacy Slinkard
Stacy Slinkard
Freelance writer and wine expert, author of ""Idiots Guides: Wine""; as well as several magazine and online articles.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 12/25/21
Basic mimosa recipe

The Spruce

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 5 mins
Servings: 24 servings
Yield: 24 cocktails

If you have a fabulous brunch coming up, be prepared with this perfect mimosa recipe. It really doesn't get any easier than this since the basic mimosa recipe calls for a bottle of your favorite champagne and orange juice. Once you combine the two ingredients, you are all set to celebrate. Brunch cocktails are always a special treat.

Champagne on a Budget

When it comes to picking the sparkling wine for your mimosa, know that you don't have to choose Champagne. Spanish cava or Italian prosecco are both good options for your beverage. They are well-priced, generally between $12 to $15, and easy to find. Champagne represents the top tier and most expensive option for bubbly. Even a basic bottle of Champagne will cost upward of $35. Since you are adding orange juice and optional triple sec, the nuanced aromatics and flavor profile will be well masked, and it's not worth spending all the money on Champagne if you can't taste its distinct flavor.

Ingredients

  • 1 (750-milliliter) bottle sparkling wine, cava, prosecco, Champagne, or other bubbly

  • 6 cups orange juice

  • Triple sec, such as Cointreau, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for mimosa
    The Spruce

  2. Pour an ounce of chilled sparkling wine or Champagne into a champagne flute, under 1/3 of the way full.

    Add champagne
    The Spruce

  3. Top off with 2 ounces of chilled orange juice per champagne flute and gently stir.

    Add orange juice
    The Spruce

  4. If you'd like to add triple sec, add just a splash. Serve and enjoy.

Tips

  • Use very cold sparkling wine and orange juice. 
  • The mimosa tastes best with high-quality orange juice. Use pulp-free juice and buy juice that says it's not from concentrate.
  • Another option is to fresh squeeze and chill the orange juice ahead of time.

Variations

There are a few options to enhance your mimosa. Replace orange juice with grapefruit juice, or slice up a strawberry or cut small citrus wedges or wheels to decorate the rim of each flute for added flair. This tasty beverage is also delightful over ice or frozen grapes in a larger white wine glass. You can also get fancy and experiment with herbs like sage or cilantro.

If you want to customize your mimosas, there are a lot of add-ins that work well. If you are hosting a party, prepare a mimosa bar and allow guests to concoct their own special drink. A fancy touch could include printing up simple recipes (perhaps with your own made-up names) so guests know what mixers work best. Try any of these for a fun twist on a classic drink:

  • St. Germain: The elderflower liqueur adds a subtle and sophisticated flavor
  • Orange Blossom Water or Rose Water: A nonalcoholic addition that brings a floral flavor to the drink
  • Grenadine: This classic red mixer produces a sunset effect in the drink. Add just a splash to avoid a supersweet drink.
  • Orange Liqueur: Deepen the complex orange flavor by replacing Cointreau with Grand Marnier.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
53 Calories
0g Fat
7g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 24
Amount per serving
Calories 53
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 2mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 7g 3%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 31mg 155%
Calcium 10mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 146mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)