Active Time

　　5 mintues

　　Total Time

　　5 minutes

　　An ideal drink for anyone who loves to entertain and hates fuss, a classic mimosa requires just two ingredients and, other than chilling a bottle and squeezing some citrus, virtually no prep time. Plus, it’s easy to customize the classic brunch cocktail recipe for different preferences, seasons, or occasions.

　　But what is a mimosa exactly? The bubbly cocktail recipe combines equal parts orange juice and dry sparkling wine. It’s an evergreen crowd-pleaser equally suited to special occasions like Mother’s Day brunch or humble breakfasts of scrambled eggs for one.

　　Juice, not wine, separates the best mimosa recipes from lesser versions: Squeezing fresh orange juice truly makes all the difference. That said, you can swap in apple cider, grapefruit juice, pomegranate juice, cranberry juice, pineapple juice, watermelon juice, and so on. Or consider creating a mimosa bar for your next brunch by setting out pitchers of different juices alongside bottles of sparkling wine, Champagne flutes or coupes, and some bitters for those who’d rather skip the juice. Want to make it a bellini? You’re gonna need peach purée for that.

　　Any affordable cava, Prosecco, nonalcoholic bubbly, or other brut fizz will make a great mimosa. Save your best Champagne for sipping straight—or use it to make a French 75.

Ingredients

　　1 750-ml bottle Champagne, chilled

　　3 cups chilled strained fresh orange juice (from about 9 oranges)

　　Orange slices or orange peels for garnish (optional)

　　Pour 1 750-ml bottle Champagne, chilled, slowly into a pitcher. Add 3 cups chilled strained fresh orange juice. Stir gently, then divide between 6 Champagne glasses. Garnish with orange slices or orange peels if using. 

　　Editor’s note: This recipe was first printed in the April 1985 issue of ‘Gourmet.’ Head this way for more of our best sparkling wine and Champagne cocktails →