
Grand Marnier Mimosas
Mimosas make the perfect brunch cocktail! With freshly squeezed orange juice, sparkly champagne and an optional shot of Grand Marnier, this Grand Marnier Mimosas recipe was the perfect choice when we hosted our dinner club for a Sunday brunch.
If you don’t know How to Make Mimosas, you’ve come to the right spot!
Grand Marnier Mimosas – A Classic Brunch Cocktail with a Twist
The mixture of orange juice and champagne has been served for celebratory breakfasts and brunches for eons. Though you don’t need top of the line champagne, you do need a terrific orange juice to make the best version of this brunch cocktail. Have you ever made freshly squeezed orange juice? Once you do, you’ll know what you’ve been missing.
It is a bit of work unless you own a juicer, but it’s worth it for special occasions. If you can find a bag or two of Valencia oranges, nab them up and reserve them for juicing. And if you don’t have to drive anywhere, you want to spike your mimosas with a tablespoon of Grand Marnier, or your favorite orange liqueur. Totally blissful.
How to Make Mimosas
Mimosas are a super easy cocktail with minimal ingredients making them perfect for entertaining. You need just 2 or 3 quality ingredients mixed together for a stellar cocktail recipe.
Here’s What Is In a Mimosa: orange juice, champagne or sparkling wine and Grand Marnier. How simple is that?
Reserve an orange to slice and garnish your glasses. Pick out decent champagne and use freshly squeezed orange juice if possible. Using the best of the best AND presentation is key! Cheers!
Where Did the Mimosa Originate?
Back in the 1920s, it was a bartender at the Ritz Hotel in Paris who mixed equal parts juice and sparkling wine to create the first mimosa cocktail. Apparently, it’s a twist on an earlier cocktail invented in London, Buck’s Fizz, which contained a larger proportion of champagne.
Tips for Planning the Perfect Brunch
Adding a signature cocktail is fun for a special occasion, holiday brunches included! These Grand Marnier Mimosas are perfect as you’ll typically have orange juice on hand.
- Set your menu with an entree, sides, drinks and something sweet, if desired.
- Think of your guests and their preferences. Someone gluten free? Vegetarian? Children with picky palates?
- Vary your menu with the season. For Mother’s Day or Easter, berry and lemon dishes are perfect. For a fall event, think apples and pumpkin.
- Set up a beverage bar with juices, milk, coffee, tea along with cream, sweeteners, stir sticks, etc.
- Since “brunch” is a combination of lunch and breakfast, almost all dishes are acceptable. Think of what you can load your plate with at a restaurant’s brunch selections. Even a spiral ham works with little buns and condiments!
- Casseroles will feed a crowd. I love a French Toast Casserole, Breakfast Strata, or how about the every popular Funeral Potatoes?
- Too many options to decide what to include? Set a theme! Tex-Mex/fiesta, French with croissants, tarts and bubbly, or even a color, like pink or green!
- Make sure to have some healthy fare like a big fruit salad. If you want to go the extra mile, let folks make parfaits with fruit, vanilla yogurt and granola!!
More Mimosas and Other Brunch Cocktail Recipes You’ll Love:
- Mimosa Margaritas from Wine and Glue
- Pineapple Peach Mimosa from Big Bear’s Wife
- How to Set Up an Easy DIY Mimosa Bar from Garnish with Lemon
- Peach Bellini
- Strawberry Bellinis
- Plus More of the Best Cocktail Recipes
A Couple of Things You May Need to Make Mimosas:
Mimosas
The Classic Mimosa with an optional shot of Grand Marnier
Ingredients
- 2 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice, I recommend Valencia oranges
- 4 ounces champagne, chilled, does not need to be a high-end brand
- 1/2 ounce Grand Marnier, optional
Instructions
- Fill glass ¼-1/3 of the way with freshly squeezed orange juice. Add champagne almost to the top of the glass, leaving room for the optional Grand Marnier.
- Add one tablespoon of Grand Marnier to each glass if desired.
Notes
Measurements need not be precise but use the above amounts to start and tweak to your liking.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 193Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 8mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 3gSugar: 18gProtein: 2g
It has been a while since I have had mimosas. Your mimosas look very inviting.
Hi Liz:)
Oooooo la la, Mimosas spiked with Grand Marnier, I likey:) Who wants to wait for Brunch. Sure wish I had one in front of me right now!
Thanks for sharing, Liz…oh so pinned!!!
I enjoyed a Mimosa on Thanksgiving Liz! Love the idea of adding the Grand Marnier:@)
I wouldn’t refuse a glass!
While I love Mimosas, I tend to save them for brunch out. Why? Because the rest of the bottle of champagne goes to waste. One ot two Mimosas and hubby and I are done. My tightwaddedness will not let me do them very often. But, I love them. Do you have any suggestions for savying the remainder of the champagne?
Hi,Joan,
Check your liquor store to see if they carry mini bottles of champagne. I know Korbel makes them, and I bet other brands do, too. I hate the waste, as well—I’ve used leftovers in sauces for chicken, etc, but that only uses a small amount.
I don’t really care for orange juice, but Mimosa’s are the exception. They’re great, perfect for brunch and I like yours with the GM! Must try!
I love it, the official drink for the Holidays!
The shot of Grand Marnier is genius! I’ll try that out this weekend.
Dear Lizzy, what a marvelous drink for the holidays. A perfect mix. xo, Catherine
Just lovely, and your suggestion to add Grand Marnier is perfect!