Is any breakfast really complete without mimosas?  Well, how about mimosa muffins? An easy way to create a themed mimosa brunch.

Bottomless mimosas and mimosa brunches are quite popular and quite frankly my favorite way to spend a Sunday, but where did it all begin?

History of Mimosas

There are many tales and legends as to how mimosas came to be and here are the most popular.  

The mimosa debate: who created it?

In 1921 at Buck’s Club in London, a drink called Buck’s Fizz was created which was champagne and orange juice, but with a 2 parts champagne and 1 part orange juice.  This drink was created for one reason:  an excuse to start drinking before lunch.

Then in 1925, a bartender at the Ritz Carlton in Paris, France named Frank Meier invented the mimosa using equal parts of sparkling wine and orange juice.  

In the 1940’s it’s said that Alfred Hitchcock created the drink.  Now, according to The Oxford Companion to American Food and Drink, it’s suggested that Hitchcock was actually just the one to make the drink popular in the United States.  

While most bars make mimosa the Frank Meier style, I am definitely more on board with the Buck Fizz, that’s for sure.

Why Mimosas?

The cocktail is named after the Australian yellow-orange shrub that produces yellow-flowers, a mimosa plant, the Acacia dealbata.  This plant was quite popular in France, which is why some believe the legend that mimosas were created in France by Frank Meier to be true.  

Mimosa plant...where the drink gets its name.

The Bubbly

When making bubbly cocktails of any kind, I am a firm believer that you do not need an expensive bottle.  In fact, the most I typically spend on a bottle of bubbly that is intended for cocktails is $10-12.  

My go to bubbly for cocktails is Freixenet, but I did round up some easy grocery store finds and other suggestions for mimosas just in case. Just remember when you’re out shopping for a bottle, the juices and fruits will play a major role, so if you really enjoy the bottle you’re about to grab by itself, then drink it that way and buy a different one for your mimosa recipes.

Mimosa Recipes

Mimosas have certainly come a long way since the 1920s. The original mimosa recipe is a simple 50/50 split of orange juice and sparkling wine or champagne.  Now if you’re like me, that’s way too much juice….I prefer more of a 90/10…90% bubbly, 10% juice.  

When making mimosas for your guests, an easy question to gauge how much juice they like is, “Juice for color or for flavor?”  This way you can make it exactly how each person likes it or simply set up a make your own mimosa bar which can be as simple or elaborate as you like.  

There are so many variations of the mimosa now that basically mimic your traditional OJ + Bubbly combination:

  • Grapefruit
  • Cranberry
  • Pomegranate
  • Pineapple
  • Hibiscus

And with a couple added steps you can turn your mimosa into a Bellini!  Check out the recipes for Bellinis that are just as easy as a mimosa.

Bellinis are the cousin of the mimosa.

Mimosas + Brunch

What goes better with mimosas than the perfect bubbly brunch! And I do love a big delicious brunch.  In fact, we did a whole bubbly breakfast with our version of a crepe for Mother’s Day.  

But sometimes it’s nice to have something quick and easy that makes the perfect additions to a bubbly brunch buffet.  So here’s the perfect accompaniment to your mimosas…made in my favorite flavor, but you could certainly change that.

Grapefruit Mimosa Muffins

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp grapefruit zest
  • 2 TBSP freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup bubbly

Champagne Glaze

  • 1 cup powedered sugar
  • 3 TBSP bubbly
  1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
  2. Spray muffins pan with non-stick cooking spray. 
  3. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt and whisk 
  4. In a second bowl, combine the sugar, egg, oil, zest, juice, vanilla extract and whisk to combine.
  5. Add the bubbly and whisk.
  6. Slowly add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and stir gently. Be careful not to over mix.
  7. Fill the mini muffin pans about 3/4 full and bake for about 8 to 9 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.  
  8. Allow muffins to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. While muffins cool, make the glaze.

Bubbly Glaze – In a bowl, combine the powdered sugar and bubbly and mix well with a whisk.  If you want it thinner, add more bubbly, if you want it thicker, add more powdered sugar.  

Mimosa muffins make the perfect addition to your mimosa brunch!

Here’s what fun about these muffins, you can match the flavor mimosa (or Bellini).

Mimosa Muffin Variations:

  • Cranberry juice and chopped cranberries
  • Pomegranate juice and pomegranate seeds

Or make it a Bellini Muffins:

  • Peach purée and finely diced peaches
  • Strawberry purée and finely diced strawberries 
  • Raspberry Purée and finely diced raspberries
  • Cherry purée and finely diced cherries

Mimosa Supplies

Of course, you really only need a beautiful champagne flute or tulip to make the perfect mimosa, but in case you’re ready to create the perfect bubbly bar, you can get all of your supplies for mimosas (among other things) at the Bubbly Side of Life Shop on Amazon. One stop shopping for all of your bubbly needs!

Want more?

Are you looking for more bubbly resources? Check out these posts:

How to Create The Perfect Mimosa Bar Everyone Will Love

6 Bottles of Prosecco Put to the Test-Which One is Worth Popping?

Our Top Most Affordable Sparkling Wine Recommendations

Is any breakfast really complete without mimosas? Well, how about mimosa muffins? An easy way to create a themed mimosa brunch. Bottomless mimosas and mimosa brunches are quite popular and quite frankly my favorite way to spend a Sunday. Create your perfect brunch menu with our Mimosa Muffin recipe! These muffins are easy to make and taste delicious!