The Ultimate Raspberry Mimosa Recipe: Elevate Your Brunch with This Festive Cocktail
Discover the joy of a Raspberry Mimosa, a delightful and vibrant twist on the classic brunch cocktail. This refreshing drink artfully combines homemade raspberry simple syrup with the crispness of orange juice and your preferred sparkling wine. It’s the perfect beverage for any special occasion, from an elegant brunch to Mother’s Day gatherings, holiday celebrations, or simply a relaxed weekend morning. Designed to serve four, this recipe is effortlessly scalable for larger crowds.
Hello everyone! I’m Erin, a proud friend of Meg’s and the creative force behind The Speckled Palate. My blog is dedicated to sharing simple, delicious recipes and stress-free entertaining ideas – because hosting should always be enjoyable and effortless.
Back in 2018, when I welcomed my second daughter, Meg graciously contributed a post to my blog. Today, I’m thrilled to return the favor as Meg and her new baby boy settle into their new routine. There’s no better way to celebrate new beginnings than with a sparkling, sweet, and utterly refreshing cocktail like this Raspberry Mimosa!
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Why I Love This Raspberry Mimosa Recipe
As a huge proponent of effortless entertaining, brunch holds a special place in my heart as one of my absolute favorite meals to host. Why, you ask? It’s remarkably versatile, incredibly kid-friendly, and allows for easy assembly without a mountain of stress. A beautifully set table for brunch at home simply isn’t complete without a mimosa or two, especially when paired with delightful treats like easy almond croissants – a true match made in heaven!
This Raspberry Mimosa, however, isn’t just any mimosa; it’s truly something special. Just look at its vibrant, captivating color! The blend of flavors is utterly sensational – it’s perfectly sweet without being cloying, and exquisitely bubbly, offering a refreshing zest with every sip. The homemade raspberry simple syrup infuses the drink with a deep, authentic fruit flavor that elevates it far beyond a standard mimosa. It’s the kind of drink that instantly brightens any gathering and makes everyone feel a little more festive. Whether you’re celebrating a holiday, hosting a bridal shower, or simply enjoying a leisurely Sunday, this cocktail brings a touch of elegance and a burst of joyful flavor to the table.
Essential Tools and Ingredients for Your Raspberry Mimosas
Crafting the perfect Raspberry Mimosa is simpler than you might think, requiring just a few key pieces of equipment and a handful of fresh ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
Kitchen Equipment:
- Small Saucepan: Essential for gently simmering your raspberry simple syrup to perfection. A non-stick pan works best for easy cleanup.
- A Blender (like a Vitamix!): Crucial for achieving that perfectly smooth, vibrant raspberry simple syrup. A food processor can also work if you don’t have a high-powered blender.
- 8 oz. Mason Jar (or similar airtight container): Ideal for storing your homemade raspberry simple syrup. Keeping it in a sealed jar ensures freshness and makes it easy to refrigerate.
- Champagne Flutes: The classic choice for mimosas! Their tall, slender shape helps preserve the bubbles and showcases the beautiful color of your drink. Stemless flutes are also a great option for a more casual, modern feel.
Beyond these helpful tools, you’ll need a selection of fresh and flavorful ingredients:
Key Ingredients:
- Water: The base for your simple syrup.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the syrup and helps extract the raspberry flavor.
- Raspberries: The star of our show! You can use either fresh or frozen raspberries. Fresh berries offer a bright, vibrant flavor, while frozen berries are convenient and often more economical, especially out of season. Both will yield a delicious syrup.
- Sparkling Wine: The bubbly component! We often opt for a dry prosecco in our mimosas because its fruity notes complement the raspberries beautifully. However, any dry champagne (Brut is a great choice) or a Spanish Cava will work wonderfully in this recipe. The key is to choose a dry sparkling wine to balance the sweetness of the syrup and orange juice.
- Orange Juice: A classic mimosa component. Choose your favorite brand from the store, or for an extra touch of luxury, splurge on cold-pressed, freshly squeezed orange juice from your local grocery store. The fresh zestiness of good quality orange juice truly makes a difference.
How to Craft the Perfect Raspberry Mimosa
Making this delightful Raspberry Mimosa involves two simple steps: preparing the homemade raspberry simple syrup and then assembling the drink. Both are incredibly easy and yield impressive results!
Step 1: Make the Raspberry Simple Syrup
The secret to this mimosa’s vibrant flavor and beautiful color lies in the homemade raspberry simple syrup. It’s surprisingly easy to make and can be prepared in advance, saving you time when entertaining.
- Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan, combine the water, granulated sugar, and raspberries. Don’t worry about whether they’re fresh or frozen – both work perfectly, so simply use whatever you have readily available.
- Heat Gently: Place the saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir continuously until the granulated sugar has completely dissolved. This process should only take about 2-3 minutes at most. It’s important to keep a close eye on the mixture; we want it to warm thoroughly and dissolve the sugar, but avoid letting it come to a full rolling boil. Gentle heat preserves the delicate raspberry flavor.
- Infuse and Cool: Once the sugar is dissolved, remove the saucepan from the heat. Allow the mixture to sit and cool for at least 30 minutes. This crucial step allows the raspberry flavors to deeply infuse into the syrup, creating a richer, more complex taste. Don’t forget to set a timer so you don’t miss this important infusion period!
- Blend to Smoothness: After the 30-minute infusion, transfer the cooled simple syrup mixture to a blender (like a Vitamix for best results) or a food processor. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and no large pieces of raspberry remain.
- Store: Pour the smooth raspberry simple syrup into an 8 oz. mason jar or any other airtight container. Refrigerate until you’re ready to use it. Chilling the syrup ensures that it won’t warm up your perfectly chilled mimosa when you combine the ingredients.
A note on consistency: Because we’re blending fresh raspberries with sugar and water, this simple syrup will naturally be thicker and a bit more opaque than a traditional, clear simple syrup. This is exactly how it’s supposed to be, so don’t worry about the consistency. Its rich texture and vibrant color will beautifully integrate into your mimosa.
Step 2: Assemble Your Raspberry Mimosa(s)
Now for the fun part – mixing your mimosas! Ensure all your ingredients, especially the sparkling wine and orange juice, are well-chilled for the best experience.
- Layer the Base: In a champagne glass (or as many glasses as you’re making), carefully measure out 1 ½ oz. of the chilled raspberry simple syrup. Then, gently pour in the orange juice.
- Add the Sparkle: Slowly open your chilled bottle of sparkling wine. Carefully top off the glass with the sparkling wine, pouring it down the side of the flute to minimize foam and preserve those precious bubbles.
- Gently Stir: Using a long cocktail spoon, gently stir the mimosa once or twice to combine the layers. Be gentle to avoid losing too much of the effervescence.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish each mimosa with a few fresh raspberries floating elegantly in the glass and a sprig of fresh mint for an aromatic touch. Serve immediately and enjoy the festive fizz!
A note on quantity: This recipe for raspberry simple syrup makes enough for approximately four drinks. It’s incredibly easy to double or even triple the syrup recipe if you’re hosting a larger gathering. Alternatively, you can make the specified batch and store the leftover syrup in the fridge for a few days, allowing you to enjoy a freshly made Raspberry Mimosa whenever the mood strikes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Raspberry Mimosas
Here are some common questions to help you master your Raspberry Mimosa experience:
When is the best time to enjoy a Mimosa?
Mimosas are incredibly versatile and perfect for a wide array of events. While traditionally associated with brunch, their light, refreshing nature makes them suitable for many occasions:
- Brunch: The quintessential mimosa moment! Perfect for a leisurely weekend morning or a special holiday brunch.
- Bridal Showers & Baby Showers: A celebratory and elegant drink that fits perfectly with these joyful events.
- Holiday Celebrations: Think Easter, Mother’s Day, Christmas morning, or New Year’s Day. Any holiday that calls for a fancier breakfast or a celebratory daytime toast.
- Afternoon Gatherings: A lovely option for a relaxed afternoon tea party or a backyard get-together.
- Any Time You Feel Like It!: Don’t limit yourself to specific events. If you’re looking for a bright, bubbly pick-me-up, a mimosa is always a good idea.
What are the best ways to garnish a Mimosa?
Garnishing adds both visual appeal and an extra layer of flavor to your mimosa. While we love the simple elegance of raspberries and mint, feel free to get creative:
- Fresh Raspberries: Floating 1-2 extra fresh raspberries in the glass not only looks beautiful but also reinforces the flavor.
- Mint Sprigs: A fresh sprig of mint adds a lovely aromatic touch and a pop of green color.
- Orange Slices or Twists: A thin slice of orange on the rim or a delicate orange peel twist complements the orange juice in the drink.
- Other Berries: Mix it up with a few blueberries or a sliced strawberry for a colorful medley.
- Edible Flowers: For a truly elegant touch, a small edible flower can make your mimosa exceptionally stunning.
- Sugared Rim: For an extra sweet and sparkling presentation, moisten the rim of the glass and dip it in granulated sugar or colored sanding sugar.
What kind of alcohol is best for Mimosas?
The key to a great mimosa is using a dry, sparkling wine. Here are your top choices:
- Champagne: The classic choice! A dry (Brut) champagne is traditional and offers a crisp, elegant base.
- Prosecco: This Italian sparkling wine is often a fantastic and more affordable alternative to Champagne. It tends to be fruitier and slightly less dry than Champagne, which pairs beautifully with the raspberry and orange flavors.
- Cava: A Spanish sparkling wine, Cava is another excellent choice. It’s typically dry and offers a similar profile to Champagne, often at a great value.
- Sparkling Rosé: For an even more visually striking drink, consider a dry sparkling rosé. Its subtle berry notes would perfectly complement the raspberry simple syrup.
Avoid anything too sweet, as the raspberry simple syrup and orange juice already provide enough sweetness. A dry sparkling wine will ensure a balanced and refreshing cocktail.
Can I prepare raspberry simple syrup ahead of time?
Absolutely! Preparing the raspberry simple syrup in advance is one of the best ways to make entertaining easier. Once cooled and blended, store it in an airtight mason jar in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. This allows you to simply grab it, pour, and mix when you’re ready to serve, minimizing last-minute prep.
What foods pair well with a Raspberry Mimosa?
A Raspberry Mimosa is a fantastic companion to a variety of brunch dishes. For savory options, consider these cheesy breakfast BBQ sliders. If you’re leaning towards something sweet, our cinnamon roll casserole is an irresistible choice. They also pair wonderfully with a slice of classic raspberry almond tart, creating a harmonious fruit-filled experience.
For another delightful raspberry-infused cocktail, you might enjoy these bubbly raspberry mint sparklers – they’re equally charming and refreshing!
Raspberry Mimosa
equipment
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Libbey Stemless Champagne Flute Glasses
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mason jar
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Wooden Spoon & Scraper
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saucepan
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Vitamix Blender
ingredients
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup raspberries fresh or frozen
- 1 1/2 oz. raspberry simple syrup
- 2 oz. orange juice
- 4 to 5 oz. champagne or other dry sparkling wine, chilled
- Fresh Raspberries for garnish
- Mint leaves for garnish
instructions
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Prepare the Raspberry Simple Syrup – In a small saucepan, combine the water, granulated sugar, and 1/2 cup raspberries. You can use fresh or frozen berries – whatever you have on hand will work perfectly.
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Heat the ingredients over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until the sugar has completely dissolved. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Ensure the mixture warms but does not come to a vigorous boil.
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Turn off the heat and allow the mixture to infuse and cool for 30 minutes. Setting a timer is recommended so you don’t forget!
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Once the simple syrup has cooled, transfer it to a blender or food processor and blend until completely smooth. Then, pour the smooth syrup into an 8 oz. mason jar.
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Refrigerate the raspberry simple syrup until thoroughly chilled and ready to use. This ensures your mimosa stays nice and cold!
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Assemble the Mimosa(s) – In a clean champagne glass (or multiple glasses if serving a group), measure out 1 ½ oz. of the chilled raspberry simple syrup. Next, pour in 2 oz. of orange juice.
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Carefully top off the glass with 4-5 oz. of your preferred chilled sparkling wine (champagne, prosecco, or cava). Pour slowly to maintain the bubbles and avoid overflow. Gently stir with a cocktail spoon.
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Garnish each mimosa with a few fresh raspberries and a sprig of mint. Serve immediately and savor every festive sip!