3 Glorious Mimosa Recipes for a Better Breakfast

When it comes to weekend brunches, no midday meal is complete without a mimosa. After all, it’s the freaking weekend, and it’s time to have some fun. So fire up your app and order some orange juice. Get inspired with three recipes for healthier, happier mornings, and get ready for  the best breakfast you’ve had all week. 

And believe it or not, it’s even simpler and more customizable than the Sour or the Moscow Mule! With only two ingredients in the original, it’s one of the easiest cocktails to whip up on even the bleariest morning.

Now, some people would say that a mimosa made with a sparkling wine other than champagne isn’t quite a mimosa. We are not those people. If you (or your budget) favor another bubbly over champagne, go for it! It’s about making the drink that you like, not sticking perfectly to the recipe.

After all, making cocktails isn’t an exact science. Recipes tend to change over time according to what people like. In fact, the original mimosa was made with a teaspoon of Grand Marnier, not just champagne and orange juice! Even before the mimosa was created, a British bartender was making drinks with bubbly, OJ, and grenadine that he called a Buck’s Fizz.

Now, a note: one of the most customizable aspects of the mimosa is the ratio of champagne to orange juice. Most modern places will give you equal parts. But the original mimosa called for two parts of orange juice to one of champagne, and the Buck’s Fizz swaps the ratio. All of that is to say that you should mix a mimosa however you please.

One of the most fun parts of this brunch cocktail is the endless number of variations. For easy tweaks, add a dash of orange bitters to add a bit of balance or use a naturally flavored OJ like Simply Orange With Pineapple or With Banana.

To take it to the next level, fill 1/3 of your glass with orange juice, then fill to the brim with champagne (we love bubbles!). Stir lightly. Tweak it a little to make a:

– Grand Mimosa (add a teaspoon of Grand Marnier!)

– Buck’s Fizz (add 1/2 teaspoon of grenadine!)

– Bellini (substitute peach purée or nectar for orange juice!)

– Best of Both Words (use 1/2 orange juice and 1/2 peach nectar along with 1/2-3/4 ounce berry vodka)

Here’s to brunch! Salud!

Clair is a freelance writer and bartender-at-large based in Birmingham, Alabama. When she’s not research or writing about cocktails, Clair is usually nerding out on trashy science-fiction. Her other work is usually posted on Twitter @see_clair_write and at clairmclafferty.com.