Mimosa

What kind of champagne or sparkling wine should you use to make mimosas?

The answer depends on your taste preference. Most people enjoy mimosas on the unsweet side. If that’s you, then look for sparkling wines labeled dry, semi-dry, extra brut or brut nature. If you like them sweet, grab a bottle of doux, demi sec or dry. Yes, that last one sounds out of place, but in the classification of sparkling wines, dry is around a medium sweetness level. As for the brand of champagne or sparkling wine, the orange juice is going to mask a lot of the subtle characteristics of a pricey wine. That’s why most people opt for something on the less expensive side. Prosecco, Cava and sparkling wines in the $10-$20 range are usually a good choice.

What are some variations of the classic mimosa recipe?

If you want the freshest and, frankly, the best flavor, always opt for squeezing your own oranges. You can leave the pulp in or strain it out depending on your personal preference. For a twist on the classic, try using ruby red grapefruit juice, lemon juice, cranberry juice or even watermelon juice.

Can you make mimosas ahead of time?

Nope! Well, maybe. If you want the bubbliest mimosa (or any other champagne cocktail), they should be made to order. There’s just no way around that. The good thing is that they’re so easy to prepare—the most difficult thing is opening the champagne bottle, and trust us, it’s really not that difficult if you follow a few simple rules. If you really must make a batch ahead of time, you can slowly pour one 750 ml bottle of chilled champagne or sparkling wine into a pitcher. Then stir in 3 cups orange juice and 3/4 cup Triple Sec.