A strawberry mimosa is an easy way to up your game the next time you host a brunch gathering. Mimosas are one of the most beloved brunch-time drinks. When you marry the sweet berry flavor of fresh strawberries with the zestiness of orange juice and the phenomenal fizz of champagne, you only further elevate the classic mimosa.
Strawberry mimosas make the list of our favorite recipes with fresh strawberries, especially during the spring and summer. But, no matter when you serve these summery drinks, the extra kiss of sweetness from the berries makes the mimosas even more versatile for pairing with brunch recipes. We love to mix up a round or two at a time!
What champagne should you use for a strawberry mimosa?
Cheap champagne or sparkling wine is the secret behind a great-tasting strawberry mimosa—or any champagne cocktail recipe, for that matter. It might seem counterintuitive to use a cheaper wine here. But, because the strawberries and orange juice will overwhelm the finer notes of any bubbly you use, an inexpensive bubbly is actually better for mimosas.
Sparkling wine comes labeled according to its sweetness. From bottles that are not sweet at all to bubbles that are very sweet, look for labels of brut nature, brut, semi-dry, dry, demi-sec and doux. Personally, I veer towards the less sweet styles because they balance the natural sweetness of the strawberries, but go with whatever type you prefer.
Ingredients for Strawberry Mimosa
- Strawberries: Nothing beats fresh strawberries when making a strawberry mimosa. Look for fruit that is a rich, bright shade of red and has a sweet fragrance. Berries should also be firm to the touch. Pop them in the fridge until you’re ready to start blending. Our guide to how to store strawberries spells out more tips and tricks for you to make sure they last as long as possible. Just don’t forget to reserve some strawberries to use as a garnish!
- Orange juice: Fresh-squeezed orange juice edges out store-bought for the best flavor, but there are plenty of great-tasting orange juice brands you can pick up at the supermarket for convenience. As for the pulp vs. no pulp debate, the choice is yours! There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to mimosas.
- Sparkling wine: A good-quality but inexpensive bottle of bubbly is the foundation of your mimosa-making.
- Orange slices: Sliced oranges are an optional garnish, but they add a lovely finish to cocktails. Orange twists make an elegant alternative to orange slices, and if you’re feeling fancy, candied orange slices are both delicious and impressive perched on the side of a glass.
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the strawberry mixture
Put half of the strawberries and half of the orange juice in a blender. Secure the lid, and process until smooth. Press the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer. Repeat with the remaining strawberries and orange juice.
Editor’s Tip: It’s easiest to strain the mixture right into a liquid measuring cup, so you can use it to measure how much to pour into each glass later.
Step 2: Mix the mimosas
Fill each champagne flute with a scant 2/3 cup strawberry-orange mixture, then top each with 1/3 cup champagne. If desired, add an orange and strawberry slice to each glass as a garnish.
Editor’s Tip: Pour the champagne slowly so it doesn’t overflow.
Strawberry Mimosa Variations
- Add other fruit flavors: Using fruit juices and purees is an easy way to customize your strawberry mimosas. Try adding a spritz of lime juice, or mix in pomegranate, pineapple, mango, grape or apple juice to your mimosa recipe. Peach puree (a la peach Bellinis) is a revelation with strawberry mimosas.
- Make them boozier: Adding just 1/2 ounce hard liquor per mimosa will liven up your drinks. White rum, tequila, vodka and gin are a few options that would go well. Using a flavored vodka brand (especially in flavors like orange, mixed berry or pineapple) is an easy way to introduce another flavor to your mimosas while giving them a kick.
- Make nonalcoholic strawberry mimosas: Substitute the bubbles for nonalcoholic champagne, or pick up your favorite sparkling fruit juice to use as a base. Sparkling apple and grape are amazing for strawberry mimosa mocktails. Lemon-lime soda or ginger ale work well, too!
Can you make strawberry mimosas ahead of time?
You can prepare the strawberry-orange mixture up to two days ahead of time. But for the best results, you’ll want to mix your mimosas right before serving them. The fizz is part of the enjoyment of mimosas, and mixing them too early will cause the cocktail to go flat.
If big-batch cocktails are the only option for your get-together, keep the strawberry-orange mixture in a large pitcher in the fridge until you’re ready to start pouring. You can also chill and garnish the champagne flutes ahead of time. This way, they’re ready to go as soon as folks come through the door.
Just don’t open the champagne bottles too early! Try to mix the mimosas as close as possible to the time your guests will be arriving.
Strawberry Mimosa Tips
Can you use frozen strawberries for strawberry mimosas?
Frozen strawberries are perfectly fine for strawberry mimosas, but thaw them overnight in the fridge and strain out any liquid first so you don’t dilute their flavor.
What else can you serve with strawberry mimosas?
A plate of French toast or waffles piled high with fresh berries makes a gorgeous pairing with strawberry mimosas. On the savory end of the spectrum, anything with smoked salmon or trout will complement the mimosas nicely. Buttery ham-stuffed croissants and breakfast casserole would also make perfect pairs. The sweetness in strawberry mimosas makes a great foil for heat, so serving these mimosas with something like spicy crab salad tapas or chilaquiles is a sure-fire winner.
