Having a champagne brunch with mimosas is a fun way to celebrate special occasions like a bridal shower, birthday, or holiday weekend. But how much champagne do you really need for mimosa brunch? Here’s a guide to help estimate champagne quantities for your next mimosa brunch party.
What is a Mimosa?
A mimosa is a sparkling wine cocktail typically made by mixing equal parts orange juice and champagne or other sparkling wine. The mimosa originated in France in the late 1800s and became popular in the United States in the 1930s. It’s now a brunch staple and popular way to start a day of celebrations.
Standard Mimosa Recipe
The typical mimosa recipe calls for:
- 2 oz champagne or sparkling wine
- 2 oz orange juice
The champagne and orange juice are mixed together in a champagne flute or wine glass. Some recipes add a splash of triple sec for extra flavor.
Common Variations
While orange juice is the most common mimosa mixer, there are lots of variations on the classic recipe. Some popular options include:
- Grapefruit juice
- Pineapple juice
- Cranberry juice
- Peach nectar
- Mango juice
The possibilities are endless for alternate juices, purees, and fresh fruit mixes to customize your brunch cocktails.
How Many Mimosas Per Bottle?
Knowing the standard 2 oz champagne per drink ratio, you can calculate how many mimosas or pours you’ll get out of one bottle:
| Bottle Size | Ounces per Bottle | Ounces per Mimosa | Mimosas per Bottle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard 750 mL | 25.4 oz | 2 oz | 12 |
| Magnum 1.5 L | 50.7 oz | 2 oz | 25 |
| Jumbo 1.75 L | 59.2 oz | 2 oz | 29 |
A standard 750 mL bottle holds just over 25 oz and will make about 12 mimosas. Magnums and larger format bottles will obviously make more drinks.
A Note on Glasses
These numbers are based on filling a flute or small wine glass with 4 oz total liquid per drink (2 oz champagne + 2 oz juice). If using larger juice glasses, you may get fewer pours per bottle.
How Much Champagne for Brunch?
Figuring out how much champagne to buy for brunch depends on your guest count and how long your event will be. Here are some tips:
Estimate 1-2 Drinks Per Person
For a 1-2 hour brunch event, plan on 1-2 mimosas per person as an estimate. Not everyone will drink alcohol or want mimosas over food. But having extra is better than running out!
Double for Longer Events
For a longer 2-3 hour bridal brunch, baby shower, or holiday event, estimate 2-4 mimosas per person. The longer your party, the more refills people may want.
Know Your Audience
Calculate less champagne for daytime birthday brunches or showers with lots of kids and non-drinkers. Plan for more if your guests will be celebrating hard or drinking for many hours.
Factor Bottle Sizes
Try to buy champagne in larger 1.5 L magnums or 1.75 L jumbo bottles. This gives you more mimosa pours per bottle and may reduce costs.
Have Extra Juice & Non-Alcoholic Options
Purchase extra juice and include things like sparkling water, teas, and mocktails for non-drinkers. You want everyone to have something tasty to toast with.
Champagne Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate the champagne needed for your mimosa brunch:
| Guests | Hours | Drinks Per Person | Mimosas Needed | 750 mL Bottles | 1.5 L Magnums |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Try entering different numbers of guests, hours, and drinks per person to estimate bottles needed.
Calculator Notes
- Hours include full duration of brunch event
- Drinks per person is estimated average
- Mix of 750 mL and 1.5 L (magnum) bottles can be purchased
- Always buy extra – running out is the worst!
Champagne Shopping Tips
Use these tips to select champagne for your mimosa bar:
Stick to Brut
Dry brut champagnes work best for mimosas. Stay away from sweeter options like demi-sec or moscato.
Splurge a Little
Mimosas are equal parts juice and wine, so the champagne flavor won’t break the bank. Spend $25-35 per bottle on a solid mid-range brand.
Ask for Recommendations
Talk to your wine merchant about food-friendly sparkling wines that pair well with citrus. And ask about large format bottles.
Check Reviews
If buying online, look for well-rated champagnes and sparkling wines in the $20-40 price range.
Buy Early
Shop for champagne 1-2 weeks in advance to allow time for delivery. You’ll have the best selection too.
Have a Backup
Keep extra bottles of juice and a case of prosecco on hand in case you need more mimosa makings.
Mimosa Bar Setup Tips
A bubbly mimosa bar takes your brunch to the next level. Follow these tips:
Chilled Bottles
Keep champagne on ice or in chillers to keep cold before pouring.
Fresh Juices
Squeeze oranges and grapefruits fresh if possible. Or buy refrigerated juices.
Garnishes Galore
Slice up citrus fruits and berries for optional garnishes. Olives, herbs, and edible flowers also dress up drinks.
Sparkling Water
Offer sparkling water for a fizzy, non-alcoholic option. Flavored varieties also complement juices.
Pitchers & Carafes
Pre-mix pitchers of juice and champagne to make pouring easy. Decant extra champagne into carafes.
Cocktail Napkins
Provide plenty of napkins for spills and drips. Cute paper straws are also a nice touch.
Chilled Vessels
Keep flutes and juice glasses chilled in the freezer or fill with ice before using.
Delicious Brunch Recipes
Balance out the bubbly with some savory and sweet brunch recipes. Here are some crowd-pleasing ideas:
Savory Dishes
- Quiche
- Frittata or stratta
- Breakfast tacos or burritos
- Avocado toast bar
- Smoked salmon with bagels and cream cheese
- Cheese and charcuterie board
Sweet Treats
- French toast casserole
- Pancakes or waffles
- Cinnamon rolls
- Fruit salad
- Granola and yogurt parfaits
- Coffee cake or breakfast breads
Something for Everyone
Offer a variety of meat, vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free options to accommodate different diets and tastes.
Final Tips
Mimosas make any brunch extra festive. Follow these final tips to ensure mimosa success:
- Shop for champagne 1-2 weeks in advance
- Buy more bottles than you think you need
- Keep champagne chilled before pouring
- Use fresh juices and garnishes
- Offer non-alcoholic beverages
- Set up a mimosa bar for self-service
- Prepare plenty of savory and sweet foods
- Relax and enjoy a morning of fun and bubbles!
Cheers to a fantastic mimosa brunch! With the right amount of chilled champagne and freshly squeezed juice, your celebration is sure to be a success.