Mockmosa (Non-Alcoholic Mimosa)
A bubbly, citrusy non-alcoholic mimosa made with fresh orange juice and sparkling white grape juice. Ready in 5 minutes, no alcohol, and close enough to the real thing that most guests won't ask questions.
Servings 4 glasses
Calories 110kcal
Cost $6
Equipment
- 4 Champagne flutes Pre-chill in freezer 5 minutes before serving
- 1 Pitcher or measuring cup For mixing OJ base
- 1 Citrus juicer For fresh orange juice and lemon juice
Ingredients
For the Mockmosa
- 2 cups fresh orange juice chilled, fresh-squeezed or not-from-concentrate
- 2 cups sparkling white grape juice chilled -- dry-style preferred, such as Welch's Sparkling White Grape
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice about 1 lemon -- balances sweetness in the sparkling base
- 1 tablespoon simple syrup optional -- only if OJ is very tart
For Garnish
- 4 orange wheels sliced thin, balanced on rim
- 4 small fresh mint sprigs optional
Instructions
Prepare the Glasses and Juice Base
- Place 4 champagne flutes in the freezer for 5 minutes before serving. A cold glass holds carbonation significantly longer than a room-temperature one.
- Combine the orange juice and fresh lemon juice in a pitcher or measuring cup. Stir once to combine. Taste and add simple syrup if the orange juice runs very tart. Do not add sparkling grape juice yet.
- If preparing ahead, cover the OJ-lemon mixture and refrigerate until ready to serve. Keep the sparkling white grape juice cold and separate until the moment of pouring.
Assemble and Serve
- Remove chilled flutes from the freezer. Fill each glass halfway with the orange juice and lemon juice mixture -- about 1/2 cup per glass.
- Hold each flute at a slight angle and pour the sparkling white grape juice slowly down the inside of the glass. This gentle pour preserves the carbonation. Fill to the top -- about 1/2 cup per glass.
- Set the glass upright and do not stir. The carbonation will mix the juice and sparkling base naturally within seconds. Stirring releases CO2 and flattens the drink fast.
- Balance an orange wheel on the rim of each flute. Add a mint sprig if using. Serve immediately -- bubbles are at their best in the first two minutes after pouring.
Notes
Use a dry-style sparkling white grape juice for the best result -- Welch's Sparkling White Grape works well. Avoid Martinelli's Sparkling Cider, which is apple-based and much sweeter. For a batch, keep the sparkling juice separate and pour glass by glass. Peach nectar or pineapple juice can replace half the orange juice for a variation.
