✔ Updated · real 1:1 ratio, pitcher version + 5 bubbly swaps
A virgin mimosa is all the sunny, bubbly brunch fun with zero alcohol: cold orange juice topped with sparkling white grape juice. Two ingredients, three minutes, and everyone at the table gets a fancy glass.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Pour the sparkling juice last and slowly, down the side of a tilted glass. You keep far more bubbles that way.
Why You'll Love This Virgin Mimosa
- Two ingredients, no bartending skills and no alcohol.
- Everyone can have one, so nobody at brunch feels left out of the toast.
- Easy to scale into a pitcher or a build-your-own mimosa bar.
The Best Bubbles for a Virgin Mimosa
The sparkling part decides how your mimosa tastes. Here's how the usual swaps compare.
| Sparkling swap | Taste | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Sparkling white grape juice | Fruity, closest to champagne | Classic brunch mimosas |
| Alcohol-free sparkling wine | Dry and grown-up | Toasts and showers |
| Ginger ale | Sweet with a little spice | Kids and sweet tooths |
| Lemon-lime soda | Sweet and citrusy | Party pitchers |
| Sparkling water | Light, least sweet | A lower-sugar glass |
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Chill everything. Juice, sparkling juice and glasses. There's no ice in a mimosa, so cold ingredients are what keep it crisp.
- Juice first, bubbles second. Pouring the sparkling juice on top lets it mix itself. Stirring just knocks the fizz out. I learned that one at my own brunch table.
- Pulp-free juice gives the smoothest, prettiest drink. Fresh-squeezed is lovely; strain it if you're squeezing your own.
- Pick your sweetness. Sparkling white grape juice is the closest to the real thing. Ginger ale is sweeter, and plain sparkling water is the lightest.
- Mix pitchers at the last minute. A pitcher goes flat in about 30 minutes, so I mix it right as people sit down and make a fresh one when it runs low.
Virgin Mimosa
2
drinks3
minutes0
minutes135
kcal3
minutesAn alcohol-free mimosa made with equal parts cold, pulp-free orange juice and chilled sparkling white grape juice, poured slowly into champagne flutes and garnished with an orange slice.
Ingredients
1 cup pulp-free orange juice, well chilled (fresh-squeezed is best)
1 cup sparkling white grape juice, well chilled
2 orange slices or twists, for garnish
fresh raspberries or a mint sprig (optional)
Directions
- Chill the orange juice, the sparkling juice and the champagne flutes for at least an hour. Everything cold keeps the bubbles lively, since this drink has no ice.
- Pour 1/2 cup orange juice into each flute.
- Tilt the glass slightly and slowly top each one with 1/2 cup sparkling white grape juice, pouring down the side so it doesn’t foam over.
- Don’t stir; the bubbles mix it. Garnish with an orange slice on the rim, add a raspberry or mint sprig if you like and serve right away.
Notes
- For best results, serve chilled.
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Make a Pitcher or a Mimosa Bar
- Pitcher for 8: 4 cups cold orange juice in a chilled pitcher, topped with one 750 ml bottle (about 3 cups) of sparkling white grape juice right before serving.
- Mimosa bar: set out two or three juices (orange, pineapple, cranberry), a couple of sparkling options and bowls of berries, orange slices and mint so everyone builds their own.
- Brunch pairings: serve with old-fashioned pancakes, Bisquick impossible quiche or a crumbly coffee cake.
- More alcohol-free drinks: try a virgin Shirley Temple, virgin sangria or a Cinderella mocktail.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make a mimosa without champagne?
Swap the champagne for a chilled sparkling drink: sparkling white grape juice is closest, but ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, sparkling water or alcohol-free sparkling wine all work. Use equal parts with cold orange juice and pour the bubbles in last.
What is the ratio for a virgin mimosa?
Equal parts orange juice and sparkling juice, about 1/2 cup of each per flute. For a lighter, fizzier drink use 1 part juice to 2 parts sparkling; for a juicier one, go 2 to 1.
Can I make virgin mimosas ahead?
Mix them just before serving so they stay bubbly. You can chill the juices and glasses and set out garnishes hours ahead. Once mixed, a pitcher stays fizzy for about 30 minutes.
What else can I use instead of orange juice?
Try pineapple, mango, cranberry, grapefruit or peach nectar. A splash of pomegranate juice in the orange version makes a pretty sunrise effect.
Are virgin mimosas kid-friendly?
Yes. There's no alcohol, so the whole table can toast together. Use caffeine-free sodas if you swap in ginger ale or lemon-lime soda.
