Everyone knows how to make a classic mimosa; it’s literally equal parts sparkling wine and orange juice. So let’s make my sunrise strawberry mimosa recipe instead! Made with strawberry puree, champagne, grand marnier, and fresh squeezed oj, they’re heaven in a champagne flute. Garnished with fresh fruit, they’re the perfect brunch cocktail!
Goodbye Classic Mimosa, Hello Strawberry Mimosas
Spring is in the air, my friends! I can’t believe Easter is this weekend… and Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are both right around the corner! And all of these fabulous holidays mean one thing: it’s brunch season!
When it comes to brunch cocktails, I’m 100% TEAM MIMOSA! So crisp, light, and refreshing! They’re perfect as is! But I wanted to create an elevated mimosa recipe that’s extra special and perfect for your at-home celebrations! And this strawberry sunrise mimosa is just that! Bubbly, strawberries, and orange juice… plus a little grand marnier? YES, PLEASE!
Mimosa Ingredients
- Strawberries: The best strawberries will be fresh, sweet, and super ripe! In a pinch, frozen strawberries will work. For a festive spin, you could use cranberries instead. Or just add a splash of cranberry juice.
- Orange Peel: Adds a fresh pop of citrus flavor to the simple syrup. Feel free to use grapefruit or blood orange peel instead!
- Sugar: Do not sub for another variety or reduce the amount called for in this recipe.
- Water: Our liquid for the simple syrup, do not reduce the amount of use another liquid instead.
- Mint: If you can’t find fresh mint, you can simply omit this from the recipe. Don’t use dried mint or peppermint tea.
- Grand Marnier: Or a similar orange liqueur, such as Cointreau.
- Orange juice: If you can, freshly squeezed orange juice works best! Or if you prefer pulp free orange juice, go for it. You can use other juice for mimosas, too. Blood orange fruit juice or even sub grapefruit juice for a less sweet mimosa.
- Champagne: Dry sparkling wine for mimosas is a great cost effective option! Or use cava or champagne.
Let’s Make Strawberry Syrup
- You’ll need strawberries, orange peel, a sprig of mint, sugar, and water.
- You’ll essentially make a simple syrup with these ingredients, then you’ll cool and strain through a fine-mesh strainer.
- You could also blend in a blender and food processor and strain, for a more intense strawberry syrup. But I prefer the strainer method, which gives us our nice “sunrise” color.
- You can make this simple syrup up to 2 weeks in advance. Cool then pour it into an airtight container and store in the fridge until needed.
Champagne vs Chilled Sparkling Wine
- When it comes to mimosas, there’s no reason to be fancy! Unless of course, you want to be. And if that’s the case I say go for it. But I suggest saving your expensive champagne for when you’re sipping it straight out of the champagne flute.
- But there’s nothing wrong with buying a dry sparkling wine, Prosecco, or affordable brut champagne. This recipe is going to be delicious with pretty much any dry sprakling wine!
- If you’re not familiar with champagne and dry sparkling wine, I suggest chatting up the guy or gal at your local wine shop. Tell them you’re making a mimosa recipe and ask them for something dry and not too sweet.
Wine Glasses vs Champagne Flutes
- Any glass will technically work for this recipe. But for the prettiest presentation, clear tall champagne flutes work best.
- Wine glasses will also work, but won’t look as pretty. And since wine glasses hold much more liquid, you won’t be able to fill them all the way up like the ones you see in my photos.
- Another pro for champagne flutes? They’ll keep the mimosas fizzy longer!
Garnish with Fresh Fruit
Let’s chat about garnishes… do you need them? No. Should you add them… YES!!!
- Fresh mint sprigs
- Smaller fresh strawberries (large ones can tip the champagne flute over)
- Orange Slices
These simple additions take this mimosa recipe from basic to HELLO GORGEOUS! And are sure to make your guests swoon! Even if you can’t find all three garnish ideas, I highly suggest you use at least one to add little visual interest to your finished drink.
P.S. If you’re a hardcore mimosa lover like me, try these raspberry grapefruit mimosas and these mimosa cupcakes!
More Cocktail Recipes:
