The Best Champagne to Pop Open for Celebratory Mimosas

What could be more celebratory than a mimosa recipe ? After all, the classic cocktail is fun, fruity, and bubbly! It's perfect for celebrating a festive Christmas Day feast, a New Year's party, or a Mother's Day brunch. And, you can even take a cue from Alex Drummond who set up a mimosa bar for her gorgeous bridal shower. But since mimosas are so simple to make (the traditional version is made with just champagne and orange juice), it's important to pick out good quality ingredients. That's why we've rounded up the best champagnes for mimosas that you should buy before your next brunch party.

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But first, how do you make a mimosa? To start, all you have to do is pop open a bottle of sparkling wine (cava, champagne, or your favorite prosecco brand—anything will do), pour the sparkling wine three-quarters of the way into the glass, then top with a splash of orange juice. You can totally customize it, too. If you'd rather have a little less alcohol, then flip the proportions and add more orange juice and a splash of sparkling wine, or try using different fruit juices like peach, pineapple, or cranberry for a different flavor profile.

If you like your mimosas on the sweeter side, you should actually look for champagne labeled "dry" or "extra dry." Despite the name, it will be slightly sweeter than a "brut" bubbly ("brut" is not sweet at all). You can also use Prosecco (a variety of sparkling wine made in Italy) that’s great for mimosas. There isn't a best type to use, just pay attention to the labels to see if they are "brut" or "dry" so you can pick out the sweetness level you prefer. In fact, when it comes to which champagnes (or Proseccos) are best for mimosas, the choice is yours! Just be sure to stay away from bottles labelled "doux,” "sec," or "demi sec" as they tend to be too sweet when paired with orange juice.