Change up your brunch routine with a pineapple mimosa for a tropical and delicious twist on the classic drink. Using pineapple juice in lieu of orange juice is a simple way to step up your mimosa game without altering it beyond recognition.
The sweetness and acidity of the pineapple juice work perfectly with a creamy sparkling wine, and an optional splash of orange liqueur amps up the citrus flavor and ties everything together. They’re easy to make, easy to drink, and maybe even better than the original!
Pineapple mimosas are a great option at low-key and high-brow brunches alike, as well as bridal showers, weekend hangouts at the beach, lounging by the pool, or practically any summer festivity. Serve them alongside vegetable quiches, shakshuka, salads and other classic brunch fare or as a signature cocktail at celebratory events.
Mimosas are traditionally made with Champagne, which is generally more expensive than sparkling wine, and mixing a good Champagne with citrus juice can seem like a waste of a high-quality product. For best results without breaking the bank or sacrificing on taste, reach for a bottle of Crémant, Cava or any sparkling wine labeled “traditional method” (méthode traditionnelle) in lieu of Champagne.
Sparkling wines that use the traditional method use the same wine-making technique as Champagne, which gives them a Champagneesque quality that makes them ideal substitutes.
Before making pineapple mimosas, make sure your sparkling wine and pineapple juice are both well chilled for best results.
What You Need to Make a Pineapple Mimosa
To make a pineapple mimosa, you just need pineapple juice and, ideally, a bottle of traditional method sparkling wine. If you can’t find a traditional method sparkler at your local wine store, prosecco or any other sparkling wine will work in its place.
To intensify the citrusy flavor of the cocktail, a splash of orange liqueur such as Cointreau or Triple Sec is encouraged, but is completely optional. The cocktail will still be delicious without it!
Ingredients:
- Sparkling Wine
- Pineapple Juice
- Orange Liqueur – Optional (Cointreau, Triple Sec, Orange Curaçao etc)
How To Make a Pineapple Mimosa
Pour pineapple juice and a splash of orange liqueur (if using) into a champagne flute and swirl to combine.
Tilt the glass at a 45-degree angle to minimize fizz spillover, and slowly pour the sparkling wine into the glass. If the bubbles build too much of a head, allow them to go down a bit before pouring more.
Do not shake or stir.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
What is the best alcohol for a mimosa?
Champagne is the sparkling wine traditionally used in mimosas but can be expensive. For similar quality and taste at a fraction of the price, crémant, cava or any wine produced using the traditional method will yield great results.
What’s the difference between champagne and crémant?
Champagne specifically comes from the Champagne region of France, while crémant is sparkling wine that comes from all of the other winemaking regions in France. Crémant uses the same wine production method as champagne, but the grapes used vary from region to region. Crémant de Bourgogne will have the closest approximate flavor profile to champagne since it uses the same grapes, though any bottle of crémant will have similar characteristics to champagne.
Why is it called a mimosa?
Mimosas are named after a flowering plant of the same name, as the color of the drink resembles the deep yellow flowers that bloom on some species of the plant.
What is the difference between a mimosa and a Buck’s fizz?
Mimosas and Buck’s Fizzes are very similar drinks, but what differentiates them is the alcohol-to-juice ratio. A mimosa has an equal amount of sparkling wine and citrus juice or a ratio of 1:1, whereas a Buck’s Fizz has two parts sparkling wine and one part citrus juice or a ratio of 2:1.
Pineapple Mimosa
Ingredients
- 3 oz sparkling wine (traditional method)
- 3 oz pineapple juice
- splash Cointreau (optional)
Instructions
- Pour pineapple juice and a splash of Cointreau or other orange liqueur into a champagne flute and lightly swirl to combine.
- Tilt the glass to a 45 degree angle and slowly pour in the sparkling wine (if the bubbles form too much of a head, allow them to go down a bit before pouring more) until the glass is topped off.
- Do not shake or stir. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition
Here are a few other recipes you might enjoy!
Rebekkah is a food writer, recipe developer and sommelier who is obsessed with all things food and drink. When she isn’t lingering too long in her kitchen, she can be found making music in her apartment or traveling the globe in search of the perfect noodle.