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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. 

 

Three champagne flutes with pink mimosa, on a pink table.

 

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 drinkfestive ginger pear bellini, cranberry vodka, or eggnog white Russian, but for summer I also love this apricot gin fizz or blackberry martini. 

 

Girl holding up a champagne flute with grapefruit cocktail.

 

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 Originally made with orange juice, but I actually prefer grapefruit!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?

 

Three champagne flutes seen from above, garnished with grapefruit slices and elderflower.

 

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.

 

Three grapefruit cocktails in champagne flutes.

 

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! 

 

Close-up of three champagne flutes with grapefruit mimosa. Garnished with sliced grapefruit and elderflower.

 

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:

 

Savory brunch:

 

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.

 

Steps to make grapefruit mimosa.

 

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! 

 

Three grapefruit mimosas in champagne flutes. Pink table.

 

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

 

 

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Comment below or tag me @thegingerwithspice on Instagram. And don’t forget to Pin it for later! To make sure you’re never missing another recipe, please feel free to subscribe to my newsletter. As a thanks you will receive a free e-cookbook Travels Through the Seasons, with many delicious recipes from around the world that suit different seasons of the year. 

 

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📖 Recipe

Three grapefruit mimosas in champagne flutes. Pink table.

Grapefruit Mimosa Sparkling Cocktail with Elderflower

Yield: 10
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Grapefruit mimosa is perfect for brunch and the fresh, citrusy grapefruit pairs beautifully with floral elderflower and sweet, bubbly champagne. 

Ingredients

  • 1 bottle champagne (750ml. Or any dry, sparkling white wine, like Prosecco)
  • ⅔ cup elderflower liqueur (10 tbsp. Optional*)
  • 3 cups freshly squeezed grapefruit juice (750ml. Roughly 3 grapefruits)

Instructions

1. Pour chilled champagne halfway up in champagne flutes. Add ½ oz (1 tbsp) elderflower liqueur to each flute, if using, and top with freshly squeezed and preferably chilled grapefruit juice.

Notes

* Elderflower liqueur adds a lovely floral hint to this cocktail, however this grapefruit mimosa is delicious without it too. I use St. Germain elderflower liqueur, but any you like will do. You can also just use elderflower cordial!

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1 flute
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 137Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 5mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 0gSugar: 4gProtein: 0g

Nutrition information isn't always accurate, estimate for informational purposes only.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or tag @thegingerwithspice on Instagram, I'd love to see!

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Katie Deacon

Tuesday 9th of February 2021

Those Mimosas look so beautiful! I can't wait till lockdown ends in the UK so I can welcome my friends into my home with one of these!!

Katie xoxo

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Friday 12th of February 2021

Thank you so much, Katie. And I feel you, that would be lovely!

Ramona

Monday 8th of February 2021

I love how pretty these mimosas look. Wow! I really need to be making these again. I think Valentines will be the perfect timing. Thank you so much for the inspiration!

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Monday 8th of February 2021

Thank you so much. I think these are perfect for Valentine's Day as well.

Jacqueline Debono

Monday 8th of February 2021

Your mimosas look so pretty and refreshing! I've made buck's fizz in the past and love it. Now I want to try this champagne cocktail!

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Monday 8th of February 2021

Oh you have! Thank you so much!

Kari Heron

Monday 8th of February 2021

Mimosas are always a great idea but the pink grapefruit was just a delicious highlight! My friends loved it! Thanks for sharing this Stine!

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Monday 8th of February 2021

Thank you so much! I'm glad you all liked it!

Julie @ Running in a Skirt

Saturday 6th of February 2021

What a gorgeous drink! I love the grapefruit with the mimosa. What a unique twist on the classic dish. SO tasty.

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Sunday 7th of February 2021

Thank you so much!

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