The Best Mimosa Recipe

Mimosa’s are an easy way to serve up some elegance at brunch time. In this blog post, I am going to help you navigate the wine aisles to choose the the best sparkling wine and teach you the ideal ratio for making the best mimosa recipe, every time.

Mimosa’s are extremely forgiving. You can make a successful, decent cocktail by grabbing any sparkling wine and orange juice and pouring it in the glass. But, if you want to make the best mimosa recipe, it’s important to carefully choose each ingredient. Let’s get started.

Ingredients

With just two ingredients in a mimosa, quality counts. Take this classic recipe up a notch with quality ingredients and the perfect ratio. For a traditional mimosa you will need:

• Orange Juice
• Sparkling Wine

Orange Juice

When it comes to the best mimosa recipe, fresh-squeezed OJ is best. One extra large orange juiced with a citrus juicer should be enough for one champagne flute. If you are using smaller oranges, you may need to use two per flute. If you don’t want to juice oranges by hand, choose an orange juice that is fresh-squeezed and not from concentrate. It does make a difference!

Sparkling Wine

Most people automatically think of champagne when they hear the term “sparkling wine.” But traditional champagne can be extremely pricey and since we are going to be filling a good portion of our glass with orange juice, it is OK to save a few bucks and choose a less expensive sparkling option. What kind of champagne is best for a Mimosa? Here are my top three recommendations:

1. Prosecco: Prosecco is vibrant, fruity, and affordable. It’s also a little sweeter than its counterparts.
2. Cava: Cava is a little lighter with a flavor profile that is great for mimosas.
3. Champagne: While a pricey option, champagne has an excellent minerality to its flavor if you are looking for the wine flavor to stand out.

No matter which sparkling wine you choose, be sure to choose dry, or “brut.”

How to Make the Perfect Mimosa

Now that you know the perfect type of orange juice and sparkling wine to choose, it’s time to pour a glass! This ratio may change depending on who you ask, but traditionally speaking the best ratio is exactly 50/50.

When serving to guests, I prefer to use the traditional ratio and set the bottle out in case anyone wants to add any more sparkling wine. It is much easier for your guests to add it, then take it away.

How to make mimosas in a pitcher

Mimosas are one of the easiest cocktails to prepare for a crowd. Keeping that 50/50 ratio in mind, you could prepare a large pitcher ahead of time or set up a mimosa bar with various juices, fruits, and sparkling wine options.

When serving mimosas in a pitcher, be sure to leave a stir stick or spoon in the pitcher so your guests can give it a quick stir before pouring.

Pro-Tip: DO NOT add ice to the pitcher. It will water down the drink. Instead place the pitcher in a tub with ice surrounding it to keep it cold.

Garnishes

I love to serve my classic mimosas with a small orange wedge. You could also get creative and serve it with twisted orange peel or a sprig of mint.

Storage

If you are lucky to have any leftover mimosa ingredients, it is best to store them separated. When sparkling wine is properly sealed, it will keep its bubbles for up to 48 hours. If pre-mixed with the orange juice, it won’t last that long.

I hope this complete mimosa guide takes your cocktail hour to the next level! Once you master the classic mimosa, give these recipes a try:

• Lavender Lemon Mimosa
• Pomegranate Mimosa
• Pineapple Strawberry Mimosa

This post was originally published for Yellow Bliss Road, “How to make mimosa’s like a pro.”