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This is your complete guide to making the perfect mimosa, every time! I will help you navigate the wine aisles to find the perfect sparkling wine for your cocktail and share a tried and true classic recipe that will turn out perfect every time.

A traditional mimosa with oranges, orange juice and sparkling wine in the background.

When it comes to cocktail time, mimosas are just about the simplest way to serve up elegance. It’s fresh citrus flavor and refreshing bubbles are perfect for any time of day, and every occasion. They are a classic for brunch, and we love to serve them with French ToastBacon and a delicious  Frittata.

Ingredients Overview

Ingredients for a classic mimosa. Orange juice, oranges and sparkling wine.

With just a few ingredients in the recipe, 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 mimosas, 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.”

Sparkling Wine being poured into a champagne flute to make a classic mimosa.

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! The perfect ratio may change depending on who you ask, but traditionally speaking the best ratio is 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.

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.

Champagne flutes with orange juice and an orange slice on the rim. A blue napkin and oranges in the background.

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:

Two glasses of traditional orange juice cocktails with a sparkling wine bottle in the background.

 

More Specialty Cocktails You’ll Love

Recipe
square image of 2 champagne glasses with orange juice mimosas and a green champagn bottle, an orange slice and some mint.

Classic Mimosa

5 from 2 votes
A traditional mimosa recipe made with freshly squeezed orange juice and sparkling wine.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 750ml bottle sparkling wine Dry and chilled
  • 3 cups orange juice freshly squeezed and chilled
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Instructions
 

  • Fill 8 champagne flutes halfway full of orange juice.
  • Fill the rest of the glasses with sparkling wine, adding more or less if desired.

Notes

  • Use freshly squeezed orange juice if possible. 
  • For the sparkling wine, always choose dry or "brut".
  • Champagne, Cava or Prosecco are all excellent choices. 
  • 50/50 is the traditional ratio of sparkling wine to orange juice, but you can adjust according to your taste. 
Keyword mimosa

Nutrition

Calories: 42kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 186mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 186IUVitamin C: 47mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of "Yellow Bliss Road" is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.

Karen

Karen is the creator of Fresh Coast Eats where she shares delicious and easy recipes inspired by the four seasons and the beautiful Great Lakes. Karen is also a certified sommelier and loves to incorporate wine into her recipes as well as suggest perfect pairings.

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