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Culture & Lifestyle • Food & Drink

Mimosa (cocktail)

The mimosa is a cocktail made primarily from sparkling wine and orange juice, typically served in a champagne flute.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The mimosa is a cocktail made primarily from sparkling wine and orange juice, typically served in a champagne flute. It is commonly associated with brunch and other celebratory occasions. Variations may include orange liqueur such as Grand Marnier or Cointreau.

Composition and serving

The mimosa is generally made by combining chilled sparkling wine with orange juice in a champagne flute. Many recipes recommend serving it immediately to preserve the bubbles.

Ratios and variations

Recipes vary from equal parts wine and juice to formulas with more sparkling wine for a drier drink. Common variations add orange liqueur or substitute or supplement the juice with other fruit flavours. Optional additions include Grand Marnier, triple sec, or Cointreau.

Origins

The cocktail is commonly traced to Paris in the 1920s, especially the Ritz Hotel and bartender Frank Meier. The drink is often linked to the yellow mimosa plant, though details of its exact naming history vary across sources. Meier’s 1936 book The Artistry of Mixing Drinks is widely cited as the mimosa’s first printed appearance.

In modern food and drink writing, the mimosa is strongly associated with brunch and special occasions. It is often described as a simple, refreshing, and celebratory cocktail. Mimosas are commonly served in Canadian brunch restaurants and home entertaining settings, especially for holidays, showers, and weekend brunch.

Key facts

  • A classic mimosa combines sparkling wine with orange juice.
  • Some recipes use equal parts sparkling wine and orange juice, while others use a higher proportion of sparkling wine.
  • Optional additions include Grand Marnier, triple sec, or Cointreau.
  • The cocktail is widely associated with brunch and celebratory gatherings.
  • One account links the drink to the Ritz Hotel in Paris around 1925 and bartender Frank Meier.
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Canadian context

Mimosas are commonly served in Canadian brunch restaurants and home entertaining settings, especially for holidays, showers, and weekend brunch.

Frequently asked questions

What is a mimosa cocktail made of?
A mimosa is typically made from sparkling wine and orange juice, often in roughly equal parts or with more sparkling wine than juice.
Is Champagne required for a mimosa?
No. Many recipes allow Champagne, prosecco, cava, or other sparkling wine.
What is the usual serving glass for a mimosa?
A champagne flute is the most common serving glass.
Can a mimosa include liqueur?
Yes. Some recipes add Grand Marnier, triple sec, or Cointreau for extra sweetness and orange flavour.
Where did the mimosa come from?
It is commonly associated with Paris in the 1920s, especially the Ritz Hotel and bartender Frank Meier, though origin details are not fully settled.
Why is it called a mimosa?
The name is generally linked to the mimosa plant’s yellow flowers, which resemble the drink’s colour.

References

  1. Inspired Taste — https://www.inspiredtaste.net/19516/mimosa-recipe/
    Supports: Basic ingredients, common ratio, optional orange liqueur
  2. Love and Lemons — https://www.loveandlemons.com/mimosa-recipe/
    Supports: Two-ingredient description and use of sparkling wine with orange juice
  3. Bartend Long Island — https://bartendlongisland.com/cocktails/mimosa-recipe/
    Supports: Ratio variations and serving suggestions
  4. Taste of Home — https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/mimosa/
    Supports: Ingredients, brunch association, optional garnish and batch preparation
  5. The Kitchn — https://www.thekitchn.com/best-mimosa-recipe-23657701
    Supports: Simple cocktail, brunch and special-occasion association, optional Cointreau
  6. Two Spoons — https://www.twospoons.ca/best-mimosa-recipe/
    Supports: Sparkling wine and orange juice formula, champagne flute serving
  7. Liquor.com — https://www.liquor.com/recipes/mimosa/
    Supports: Origin around 1925, Frank Meier, first printed appearance in 1936
  8. Instructables — https://www.instructables.com/Mimosa-Recipe/
    Supports: Classic 50/50 ratio