Have a bubbly and booze-free beverage with the citrusy and fizz-filled Virgin Mimosa.
Back in my freshman year of college, our days would start at the crack of dawn. As a group of young and insufferable acting conservatory students, we’d begin the morning with yoga, dance and movement, all before the sun came up. Then we’d spend the rest of the day pretending to be trees or something while wondering if Harrison Ford ever had to put up with this.
Today’s mocktail surprisingly brought me back to those gray, Westchester County mornings as a gaggle of us would stumble out of our dorms, bedhead hairstyles akimbo and shambling like zombies down to the dining hall across from our brick-laden buildings. Large spoonfuls of scrambled eggs, piles of bacon and hashbrowns were scarfed with youthful aplomb, and it was all washed down with what we called our own version of a Mimosa… except instead of champagne and orange juice, we mixed ours at the soda fountain, using orange juice and orange soda. Looking back, apart from the zippy, tangy orange flavor the mixture provided, I have no idea why we drank them, especially at sunup. There wasn’t any caffeine in it, but it felt invigorating nonetheless.
And what we made was basically a slight variation on the recipe we’ll be looking at now, the Virgin Mimosa. An alcohol-free take on the brunch classic, the Virgin Mimosa can be enjoyed any day of the week and at any time too, even during work hours for obvious reasons. No matter what your breakfast, lunch or dinner might be today, this effervescent and refreshing orange sipper is a fantastic and satisfying companion.
What is the best bubbly to use in a Virgin Mimosa?
Since this is a virgin drink, meaning it is completely devoid of any liquor, spirits or hooch, the carbonated element will be coming from a non-alcoholic source. After grabbing the O.J. or your choice, you can top it off with either a non-alcoholic sparkling wine, a clear, crisp and calorie-less club soda, sparkling water or even an orange-flavored soft drink, like a certain group of collegiates used to do. For some extra spice, try mixing yours with a chilled ginger ale.
Ingredients
- 3 ounces orange juice chilled and freshly squeezed
- 3 ounces chilled non-alcoholic sparkling wine or ginger ale or sparkling water
- 1 small orange slice to garnish
Instructions
- Pour the orange juice into a chilled flute.
- Slowly tilt the glass and pour your chosen sparkling beverage to preserve the carbonation.
- Garnish with an orange slice on the rim of the glass and serve immediately.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
Serve your Virgin Mimosas in a tall, slender and long-stemmed champagne flute, and garnish your drink with a fresh orange wedge on the rim.
Can you use other fruit juices in this recipe?
Sure! If you’re more in the mood for any other kind of juice, following our recipe here should lead you to a successful and tasty variant on the orange version using whatever flavor strikes your fancy.
Other Mimosa variations worth trying
Having a late breakfast with friends this weekend? Did you somehow volunteer yourself as the host, chef and barkeep, all rolled into one? Well, Twist & Toast can help you out a little with the brunch beverages, specifically of the Mimosa variety. Check out these recipes below for some fruity tipples that’ll make that eggs Benedict you’re eating extra special.
- Pomegranate Mimosa – Aperol, pomegranate juice and sparkling wine craft this rich-tasting elixir.
- Pineapple Mimosa – This tipple is tangy, bubbly and tropical.
- Strawberry Mimosa – Here’s a fresh and sweet take on the classic libation.
- Manmosa – Feeling manly? Here’s a brawny and robust sipper for your next brunch.
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