Have a cocktail before noon? Why not-it’s National Mimosa Day!
Equal parts fresh-squeezed orange juice & champagne* it is the perfect weekend beverage that turns every occasion into a celebration.
However, during this 2020 pandemic, no one would blame you if you decided to increase the amount of bubbly added to your aperitif.
History
Did you know that this popular brunch cocktail was named after the yellow flowers found on a Mimosa tree?
The Europeans have enjoyed the beverage since the 1920s. Legend has it that Alfred Hitchcock popularized it in the United States after he was seen drinking it during an interview with a reporter from the London Express in the 1960s.
How to Make
Chilled, fresh squeezed orange juice is always best but if you want to minimize the amount of work involved to create your adult beverage, pre-squeezed (pulp-free, not from concentrate) orange juice is fine.
Brut champagne* (Northeastern France), Cava (Spain) or Prosecco (Italy) are best used to make the classic cocktail because it balances the orange’s sweet flavor.
Pour the champagne, and then add the orange juice. If mixed in the reverse order, the mixture might overflow and create a mess.
To preserve the bubbles, tilt the glass when pouring the champagne.
Do not stir.
Stemware Etiquette
1-Using your thumb and index finger, pinch the stem close to the base of the glass
2-Bring the glass to your mouth
3-Sip
Expert Etiquette Tips
*Technically, true champagne comes from the Champagne region in Northeast France. Everything else with bubbles is sparkling wine. However, in the United States, we call sparkling wines champagne.
- Never lift your pinky while holding your glass.
- Do not hold the bowl of the glass. The heat from your hand will warm the champagne.
- A tulip shape glass is best for drinking champagne. It allows you to appreciate the aroma without losing the bubbles. However, if you want to enjoy the bubbles over the aroma, a flute glass is quite elegant.
- Drink from the same place on the rim of the glass. This minimizes the number of lip prints on the rim, which is inelegant.
So now that you know the basics, all that’s left is to sit back, sip & enjoy!
