Bellini Vs. Mimosa
If you enjoy the occasional alcoholic beverage, then you probably know what a cocktail is. If you consider yourself an amateur mixologist, you probably know a few different kinds of cocktails and have your favorites—whether that’s a martini, a margarita, or something a little more specialized.
If you don’t consider yourself a connoisseur and you just like the taste of a cocktail every now and then, then this is for you! We’re going to answer all of your burning questions about the differences between two iconic brunch cocktails.
Let’s start by asking the first important question. What is a cocktail? A cocktail is a mixed drink that combines alcohol with other ingredients, like juice, soda, bitters, and even herbs and simple syrups. There are many different kinds of cocktails that use sparkling wine, but some of the most popular are the mimosa and the bellini.
If you’re not sure about the difference between these two, we are here to help you learn your stuff. Bellinis and mimosas vary in flavors, textures, and experiences, and they pair differently with different events—although we’re of the opinion that you can enjoy either at any time of the day.
Here are the main differences between bellinis and mimosas and how we recommend enjoying both iconic drinks.
What Is a Mimosa?
The broad definition of a mimosa is that it’s a mixed drink with orange juice and sparkling wine. Simple as that!
A mimosa is typically served in a champagne flute and is a staple for morning get-togethers like brunch or tailgates. Most people enjoy mimosas in the morning since their main ingredient is orange juice, but there are no rules as to how this drink should be made or enjoyed. The classic mimosa has been a staple for many years and doesn’t seem to be going out of style anytime soon.
How to Make a Mimosa
If you are longing to create your own mimosas from scratch, we’re happy to share our knowledge. We have it down to a science here at Ohza.
When it comes to building an at-home mimosa, the first step is to find the right sparkling wine. The best wine to use for the base of your mimosa is the driest one you can find to balance out the overall flavor and texture of your mimosa.
Why dry champagne?
Since you are getting so much sweetness from the orange juice, you can cut the sugariness by using dry wine to help your mimosa from getting too sweet. When looking for the right dry sparkling wine to use, look for anything on the bottle or label that says “Brut” or “Extra Brut.”
The base of your drink should be bubbly, and the flavors should complement the juices you choose. You can also pay attention to flavor notes here, as some sparkling wines are known for notes of biscuit, bread, apple, and much more.
Here’s a simple way to make your own mimosa at home for any event you may have.
To make a mimosa in any batch size, use these proportions:
- 1 part Champagne or sparkling wine
- 1 part orange juice
- ¼ part triple sec. We love Gran Marnier for its sweetness.
All you have to do is gently pour your bubbly into your favorite glass (a Champagne flute always makes things seem a little fancy), add OJ and liqueur, and enjoy. The key to a killer mimosa is making sure you don’t stir your drink up, so you don’t disrupt the bubbles—they’re the main event.
What Is a Bellini?
The most major difference between a bellini and a mimosa comes from the fruit that you use.
A classic Bellini is made with Prosecco (or another type of sparkling wine) and white peach puree. The bones of the drink are the same as a mimosa, but you’re going to have two very different experiences when drinking these. Mimosas are made with orange juice, so they are going to be a bright, vibrant orange color, in contrast to the subdued pale pink hue of a bellini.
The bellini is a great cocktail choice for not only brunch, but dinner too. It pairs well with a variety of flavors and can be a great addition to any meal when you’re looking for something fresh and light.
How to Make a Bellini
Here’s how you can create your own bellini at home.
For the Peach Puree:
- 4 medium white peaches, pitted and quartered
- 3 ice cubes
- 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 tablespoon sugar, or 3/4 ounce simple syrup
While there are over 300 peach varieties to choose from for your bellini, we recommend using white peaches for that sweet, subtle flavor. White peaches have lower acidity and have a smooth, luscious texture that will take your cocktail to the next level. That said, other varieties like yellow peaches will work, too. Don’t be afraid to branch out and try different fruits and see what you can come up with.
To make a bellini, you’ll need:
- 2 ounces peach puree
- 4 ounces chilled Prosecco
- Peach slices, for garnish
- Blend your peaches, sugar, ice, lemon juice into a food processor to make your peach puree
- Pour your puree into glasses or different Champagne Flutes
- Much like a mimosa, you want to gently pour your Prosecco into the glasses, careful to preserve the bubbles in the drink.
- Enjoy your homemade bellini!
With similar processes, flavors, and serving glasses, it’s no wonder many can't tell the difference between a mimosa and a bellini. Bottom line? It comes down to the ingredients.
Both drinks are delicious, refreshing, and classic. If they were to go head-to-head, who would be the clear brunch champion?
Bellini vs. Mimosa: Which Is the Winner?
Much like you can’t compare apples to oranges, it’s tough to compare bellinis to mimosas. Both provide unique, delicious flavors and textures that you can only find in a cocktail. Something that they have in common, though, is that they can both be a bit of a mess to make.
So what if we told you that there was a premade cocktail that outshined even a homemade one? That’s where we come in with our Ohza Mimosas.
We offer both bellinis and mimosas in cute, convenient cans. There’s no need for champagne flutes (unless you want to feel fancy that day) or purchasing expensive bottles of sparkling wine when you have a delicious cocktail canned and ready to go just for you.
You never have to sacrifice flavor or experience with us. You can have your cocktails, and bubbly too! Using Ohza products makes your decision-making easier, and the aftermath of your next Sunday brunch will be a little easier too.
Drink And Be Merry!
Regardless of the cocktail you choose, these classic choices are sure to level up whatever event you’re celebrating—or a random Saturday afternoon, if that’s what you’re feeling. Whether your taste buds settle on a peachy Bellini, a citrusy mimosa, or even something a little bolder, you really can’t go wrong.
Bellinis and mimosas aren't so different after all, and both drinks can provide that extra touch of flavor and class that you desire for your next event. There’s a reason the two drinks are so popular and well known. And you can always spice them up a bit by adding some of your favorite liqueur or adding a splash of a different kind of juice or puree.
These drinks are delicious and classic, and we don’t think they will ever go out of style anytime soon. For that, we are grateful! We encourage you to go enjoy an Ohza Mimosa with friends and celebrate the differences in our drinks and in our everyday lives.
Sources:
What Is a Mimosa + How to Make the Perfect Brunch Cocktail | Taste of Home
Guide to Peach and Nectarine Varieties | The Spruce Eats
