The 9 Best Mimosa Recipes with The Classic Mimosa Cocktail and History
Welcome to your ultimate Mimosa guide with 9 twists on the classic cocktail that you can make at home.
So like many Brits, I’ve always been a fan of the classic brunch cocktail that is the Mimosa. It’s an all rounder, Mimosas were being drunk and enjoyed long before low ABV cocktails were even a trend. From Christmas morning to Sunday brunch, Mimosas are undoubtedly a British Favourite.
Yet still, people don’t understand how to make a proper Mimosa, what the difference between a Mimosa and Bucks Fizz and the potential of what they can do with this basic recipe. Well that ends today!
History Of The Mimosa
Like many cocktails, the mimosa is shrouded in mystery. Such a simple combination of sparkling wine and orange juice makes it hard to track down a true origin story for this brunch classic.
However, we can safely assume that the Mimosa is in fact a twist on a London classic cocktail. That being the Bucks fizz. The bucks fizz and mimosa are pretty much interchangeable these days. They seem to just be different names for the same drink, but they are in-fact different and I can confirm that in the case of what came first, the Mimosa or Bucks Fizz. It was in fact the Bucks Fizz that predates the Mimosa Cocktail.
The Invention of the Bucks Fizz
The bucks fizz was invented in 1921 at the Buck’s Club in London. As the story goes, 4 years later in 1925 a bartender named Frank Meier invented the Mimosa by dialling down the sparkling wine, this was at the Ritz Hotel in Paris.
The Invention of the Mimosa Cocktail
However, like I said, the history of cocktails is often shrouded in mystery with numerous claims of origins. Another popular story is that Alfred Hitchcock invented the drink in the 1940s in San Francisco. Alfred Hitchcock is one of the most famous filmmakers in history, Born in London 1899 Alfred had a long career spanning 6 decades, if anyone had the ability to create a modern classic cocktail it was him. At the very least he had the influence to popularise the drink.
It’s safe to assume that even though we don’t have a name for the person who invented the Mimosa, we can say that it came sometime after 1921.
What’s the Difference between the Mimosa and Bucks Fizz
The differences between the two cocktails may be subtle but they are there. The two drinks are not the same. Both the bucks fizz and the mimosa cocktail call for a combination of sparkling wine usually champagne and orange juice. However, whilst the Mimosa calls for equal parts, a true bucks fizz calls for more sparkling wine then OJ.
Here are the differences between the Mimosa and the Bucks Fizz;
For a bucks fizz, you want to mix 1 part orange juice with 2 parts champagne in a flute
For a Mimosa you want to mix equal parts orange juice and champagne.
The reason the two often merge into one is the British way of drinking. Usually, It goes a little something like this; we buy prosecco and orange juice (not champagne) and start the day with a cocktail that has completely different ratios to the both, mixing 2 parts orange juice with 1 part prosecco. A cocktail which is not a mimosa or bucks fizz. I like to call this the Brit Fizz.
As a side note, if that name sticks, remember where you heard it first. This is my official declaration of copyright.
Anyway… As the morning goes on, we usually get more heavy on the prosecco side and less heavy on the orange juice side as we begin to wake up. Firstly, by going into Mimosa territory and mixing half and half Oj and Prosecco, then after we get some much needed smashed avocado in us, we go into Bucks Fizz territory mixing 2 parts prosecco with 1 part OJ. By mid afternoon we are usually on the unknown territory of having a glass of prosecco with the smallest dash of OJ. I’m yet to name this mid afternoon brunch concoction. Perhaps Afternoon Delight? Bit basic. Saying that, it is a basic drink, so the name fits perfectly I guess.
Is a mimosa prosecco or champagne?
Traditionally, the Mimosa is suppose to be mixed with Champagne, not prosecco. That being said; does it really matter? No it does not. As long as you have a mix of Orange Juice and some form of Sparkling wine. Be it prosecco, be it crémant. You can call it a Mimosa cocktail.
Why is it called mimosa?
The Mimosa cocktail is named after the Mimosa flower. Which has a yellow hue very similar to the color of a Mimosa cocktail, hence the name - Mimosa.
National Mimosa Day
Did I mention there is a national Mimosa day? I know, I know, there’s a national day for just about everything. But why the hell not? Treat myself to Mimosas on a random Sunday because its supposedly a thing? I’m in.
National Mimosa day is on May 16, 2024. Get that scheduled in your diary. Once again, May the 16th. You can see more about that here. That won’t tell you much, just that its officially a thing. Proof sort of speak.
Classic Mimosa Recipe
Mimosa
Ingredients
Instructions
- Fill half a flute glass with sparkling wine then top with the orange juice.
Notes
Do you pour the champagne or orange juice first with a Mimosa?
It doesn't matter which you start with, but due to the density differences between the orange juice and sparkling wine. I'd start with the sparkling wine (the lighter liquid) so they mix easier.
For 9 twists on the classic mimosa, keep scrolling.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
221.84Fat
0.47 gSat. Fat
0.06 gCarbs
27.3 gFiber
0.47 gNet carbs
26.83 gSugar
22.53 gProtein
1.82 gSodium
18.88 mgCholesterol
0 mgThe nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
9 Mimosa Cocktail Recipes
So, with it being a good 100 years since a fresh new mimosa cocktail or mimosa like cocktail has hit the bar scene. It's safe to say we need to introduce some new variety of juicy sparkling cocktails. Here are my 9 Fresh Mimosa twists you can try out on your next brunch date.
All of which I’ve kept super simple, quick to make, easy to make and accessible.
#1 Almond Mimosa
Ingredients
10ml Orgeat Syrup
50ml Orange Juice
Topped with Sparkling wine
Method
In a flute mix the orange juice and orgeat syrup, Stir well
Top with sparkling wine and give a final light stir
#2 Aperol Mimosa
#3 Grapefruit Mimosa
Ingredients
50ml Grapefruit juice
50ml Orange juice
Topped with sparkling wine
Method
In a flute mix the orange juice and grapefruit juice, Stir well
Top with sparkling wine and give a final light stir and garnish with a grapefruit wedge
#4 Passionfruit Mimosa
Ingredients
15ml Passionfruit syrup
60ml Orange juice
Topped with sparkling wine
Method
In a flute mix the orange juice and passionfruit syrup, Stir well
Top with sparkling wine and give a final light stir and garnish with a spoon of passionfruit seeds
#5 Pineapple Mimosa
Ingredients
80ml Pineapple juice
80ml Sparkling wine
Method
Mix both ingredients in a champagne flute and garnish with a pineapple slice
#6 Raspberry Mimosa
Ingredients
15ml Raspberry Liqueur
50ml Orange juice
Topped with sparkling wine
Method
In a flute mix the orange juice and raspberry liqueur, Stir well
Top with sparkling wine and give a final light stir and garnish with fresh raspberries
#7 Pomegranate Mimosa Recipe
Ingredients
80ml Pomegranate juice
80ml Sparkling wine
Method
Mix both ingredients in a champagne flute and garnish with a pomegranate seeds
#8 Blood orange mimosa recipe
Ingredients
80ml Fresh blood orange juice
80ml Sparkling wine
Method
Mix both ingredients in a champagne flute and garnish with a blood orange wheel
#9 Strawberry Mimosa Recipe
Ingredients
15ml Strawberry Liqueur
50ml Orange juice
Topped with sparkling wine
Method
In a flute mix the orange juice and strawberry liqueur, Stir well
Top with sparkling wine and give a final light stir and garnish with a fresh strawberry wheel
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Hi, I’m Cameron, Guv’nor of Smartblend and author of this article. If you’ve had a good read, don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter below. I’ve got some interesting things coming this year and I would love to tell you fist!
