A mimosa is a cocktail typically made with orange juice and champagne. The drink is typically served in a champagne flute or a wine glass and is often garnished with a slice of orange or a cherry. The drink is traditionally served as a brunch cocktail and is commonly consumed during special occasions like weddings and holidays.
Here is a recipe for making a basic mimosa:
Ingredients:
- 4 oz orange juice (freshly squeezed is best)
- 4 oz chilled champagne or sparkling wine
Instructions:
- Pour the orange juice into a champagne flute.
- Top with chilled champagne or sparkling wine.
- Gently stir the orange juice and champagne together.
- Garnish with a slice of orange or cherry.
- Enjoy your mimosa!
Note: You can adjust the ingredients to your liking, for example, you can use more or less orange juice or champagne depending on your preference. Some variations also include other fruits such as strawberries, raspberries, or cranberries.
Mimosa History
The Mimosa cocktail is believed to have originated in the 1920s at the Ritz Hotel in Paris. It is made by combining champagne or sparkling wine with orange juice. The drink quickly became popular in the United States and is often served at brunch or special occasions. Some variations of the drink include adding other fruit juices or liqueurs, such as peach or raspberry. The name “Mimosa” is likely chosen because the drink looks like the yellow flower of the same name.
The mimosa is also the universal name of a Bucks Fizz, however there is no evidence to identify which came first.
Mimosa Variations
There are many variations of the Mimosa cocktail that use different types of juices or liqueurs to add flavor. Some popular variations include:
- Bellini: A Mimosa variation that uses peach puree or peach nectar instead of orange juice.
- Kir Royale: A Mimosa variation that uses crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) instead of orange juice.
- Poinsettia: A Mimosa variation that uses cranberry juice instead of orange juice.
- Blood Orange Mimosa: A Mimosa variation that uses blood orange juice instead of regular orange juice for a more intense citrus flavour.
- Peach Mimosa: A Mimosa variation that uses peach nectar or peach puree instead of orange juice.
- Pomegranate Mimosa: A Mimosa variation that uses pomegranate juice instead of orange juice.
- Strawberry Mimosa: A Mimosa variation that uses strawberry puree or strawberry nectar instead of orange juice.
- Raspberry Mimosa: A Mimosa variation that uses raspberry puree or raspberry nectar instead of orange juice.
- Blueberry Mimosa: A Mimosa variation that uses blueberry puree or blueberry nectar instead of orange juice.
These are some of the most popular variations but the possibilities are endless, you can experiment with different fruits and liqueurs to find your perfect mimosa.
Best Champagne for a Mimosa
When making a Mimosa cocktail, it is best to use a dry champagne or sparkling wine, as the sweetness of the orange juice can be balanced by the dryness of the champagne. Some popular champagne brands for making a Mimosa include:
- Moet & Chandon: A well-known and respected brand that produces a variety of champagnes, including the popular Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial, which is a dry champagne that pairs well with orange juice.
- Veuve Clicquot: Another well-known and respected brand that produces a variety of champagnes, including the popular Veuve Clicquot Brut, which is a dry champagne that pairs well with orange juice.
- Taittinger: A family-owned champagne house that produces a variety of champagnes, including the Taittinger Brut La Francaise, which is a dry champagne that pairs well with orange juice.
- Roederer: A family-owned champagne house that produces a variety of champagnes, including the Roederer Brut Premier, which is a dry champagne that pairs well with orange juice.
- Dom Perignon: A prestige cuvée champagne that produces a variety of champagnes, including the Dom Perignon Brut, which is a dry champagne that pairs well with orange juice.
- Ruinart: A champagne house that produces a variety of champagnes, including the Ruinart Brut, which is a dry champagne that pairs well with orange juice.
It is important to note that you don’t have to break the bank to get a good bottle of champagne for a mimosa, there are also less expensive options that can work well, like Prosecco, Cava or even a sparkling wine.
