Mimosa Champagne Flight Recipe

Chill components

Place all bottles of sparkling wine and all juices in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours so they are well chilled (ideally 38–45°F / 3–7°C). Chill glasses in the freezer for 15–20 minutes before service.

If using fresh-squeezed juices, strain them through a fine mesh sieve into a clean container to remove pulp for a smoother mimosa flight.

Prepare orange slices by cutting thin half-moons. Rinse raspberries and mint sprigs and pat dry.

If rimming flutes with sugar: rub a citrus wedge around the rim of each flute, then dip the rim lightly into a shallow plate of fine sugar. Allow to set on a paper towel for 1–2 minutes.

Set up tasting station

Arrange three chilled flutes per guest in a row (or present three different sparkling wines each in their own flute). Beside each flute place a small tasting carafe or shot glass containing the juice that will be paired with that sparkling wine. For a flight of three pairings, plan one flute each of Brut, Prosecco, and Rosé paired with three different juices (suggestions below).

Suggested pairings

Orange juice with Brut Champagne; Peach nectar (Bellini-style) with Prosecco; Pineapple or grapefruit with Rosé for a brighter, fruit-forward option. Alternatively offer cranberry for a tart option and let guests mix as they prefer.

Pouring technique

To make a mimosa, fill the flute about one-third with chilled juice (approximately 1.5 fl oz / 45 ml) and then gently top with chilled sparkling wine to fill, pouring slowly down the side of the glass to preserve effervescence. Aim for roughly a 1:2 juice-to-sparkling ratio, adjusting to taste. For smaller tasting pours, use 0.5–1 fl oz (15–30 ml) juice and top with 2–3 fl oz (60–90 ml) sparkling wine.

If offering a self-serve flight: label each juice and wine, provide small measuring jiggers (15–30 ml) and brief pairing notes, and instruct guests to pour juice first then top with sparkling wine.

Garnish each finished mimosa with either a raspberry dropped into the flute, a small orange slice on the rim, or a mint sprig laid along the rim.

Serve immediately while the sparkling wine is still fizzy. Provide a small plate or napkin for garnishes. Refill juices and sparkling wines as needed; keep bottles chilled in an ice bucket between pours.

Leftover opened sparkling wine: reseal with a sparkling wine stopper and refrigerate; consume within 1–2 days for best effervescence. Leftover fresh juice: refrigerate and use within 48 hours.