Grapefruit Mimosa Sparkling Cocktail with Elderflower

Grapefruit mimosa with just three ingredients and one is even optional. This cocktail is perfect for brunch and celebrations, both for winter and summer. The slightly bitter and fresh, citrusy grapefruit pairs beautifully with the floral elderflower and sweet, bubbly champagne. 

 

 

This grapefruit mimosa can be made with orange juice or any other juice if desired. So really, it can hardly be called a recipe! But one thing is for sure, it is elegant and it is delicious. So even though it is extremely simple, I highly recommend it.  

 

It is perfect as a New Year's Eve cocktail too, just like the Sugar Plum Fairy's plum drink, festive ginger pear bellini, cranberry vodka, or eggnog white Russian, but for summer I also love this apricot gin fizz or blackberry martini. 

 

 

What is a mimosa?

 

A mimosa is a champagne cocktail with about equal parts champagne and fruit juice. Originally made with orange juice, but I actually prefer grapefruit! 

 

The mimosa is named after the yellow-flowered mimosa plant, Acacia dealbata. I couldn’t figure out why, but most likely it’s the color of the drink - when it is made with the traditional orange juice. This grapefruit mimosa gets a much more beautiful, pink hue, don't you think?

 

 

Buck’s Fizz vs mimosa

 

Some think that mimosa is based on the Buck’s Fizz cocktail invented in London in 1921. The Buck Fizz also has champagne and orange juice, but with a little more wine, and not equal parts like the mimosa.

 

The mimosa is said to be invented by a bartender at the Ritz Hotel in Paris in 1925. Coincidental? Maybe, maybe not. 

 

Some also claim Alfred Hitchcock to be the inventor in the 40s, although most agree he was most likely ‘just’ popularizing the mimosa as a brunch drink. Either way - good job on that! 100 years after its birth and we’re still obsessed with the fruit juice and champagne combination.

 

 

What champagne is good for mimosas?

 

Do not pop the expensive stuff for a mimosa! Any cheap, but good champagne is good for a mimosa. Prosecco is the wine of choice in a bellini, while champagne is used for mimosas.

 

And if you’re not a fanatic, I won’t judge you if you choose a cheap (but also delicious!) Prosecco or any other sparkling white wine. If you like to drink it and it sparkles, you'll be fine. Even sparkling rosé would be delicious in this cocktail! 

 

 

About the elderflower

 

Because I was in a floral mood, I wanted to add a little elderflower liqueur. This is an optional step, but I highly recommend it. It just gives that little hint of early summer that I love. Absolutely not soapy! I use St-Germain elderflower liqueur, but any will do.

 

You can also use store-bought or homemade elderflower cordial! I also use this in my Lucky Leprechaun cocktail, it's so, so good.

 

If floral is your thing, why don't you go all in and make lilac lemon cupcakes or rose white chocolate mousse to accompany your brunch! And then elderflower lemon sorbet for dessert.

 

Pair it with some brunch recipes

 

Yes, mimosas are the brunch cocktail, and we should therefore have brunch ready before making them. To give you some ideas, you can serve them with...

 

Sweet brunch:

• lemon blueberry french toast casserole
• vanilla crescent rolls
• rhubarb crisp
• blackberry lemon curd filled crêpes
• whole wheat lemon ricotta pancakes
• honey banana bread with cinnamon swirl
• strawberry scones
• double chocolate banana muffins
• Japanese soufflé pancakes
• blintz soufflé with blueberry sauce

 

Savory brunch:

• spinach mushroom quesadillas
• chives and cheese scrambled eggs
• herby green shakshuka
• whole wheat bread rolls
• bacon and cheese soft rolls
• everything crusted grilled cheese
• asparagus goat cheese tart
• egg-in-the-hole sandwiches
• pasta frittata
• quiche Lorraine

 

Or just head on over to my breakfast section for even more ideas!

 

How to make grapefruit mimosa

 

Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice is absolutely preferable for this drink. Make sure both the champagne and the grapefruit juice are chilled. The glasses can also be chilled, but I usually don't do this.

 

 

In champagne flutes, pour 2 ½ oz (75 ml) champagne or sparkling white wine halfway up. Add ½ oz (1 tbsp) elderflower liqueur if using (or elderflower cordial) and then top with 2 ½ oz (75ml) freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. Stir to combine. 

 

Garnish with a slice of grapefruit and perhaps fresh elderflower if they are in season! 

 

 

Did you like this grapefruit mimosa? Here’s more cocktails I think you will like:

 

• Pomegranate Cucumber Vodka Lemonade
• The Penicillin Cocktail with Ginger and Honey
• Festive Ginger Pear Bellini with ‘Gold Flakes’
• Grapefruit Mint White Wine Sangria
• Cranberry Orange Red Sangria
• Chai Whiskey Hot Toddy with Spiced Orange Syrup

 

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