Campari Mimosa: A Bittersweet & Bubbly Twist on the Classic Brunch Cocktail

Ready to elevate your everyday brunch or add a touch of Italian sophistication to your next gathering? This Campari Mimosa offers a delightful and unexpected twist on the beloved classic. Imagine the juicy brightness of fresh orange juice meeting the sparkling joy of chilled Prosecco, all uplifted by the bold, bittersweet complexity of Campari. It’s a beautifully balanced cocktail that’s both vibrant and refreshingly crisp, perfect for any occasion that calls for a little sparkle.

Whether you’re hosting a leisurely brunch, a charming garden party, celebrating Mother’s Day, or simply toasting to a sunny afternoon, the Campari Mimosa is effortlessly elegant and surprisingly easy to make. Its striking ruby hue and intriguing flavor profile make it a memorable drink that will impress your guests and awaken your taste buds. Get ready to shake up your cocktail routine and discover your new favorite sipper!

Why This Campari Mimosa Will Be Your New Favorite

While the classic mimosa is undeniably a brunch staple, the addition of Campari transforms it into something truly special. Here’s why you’ll fall in love with this unique cocktail:

• A Sophisticated Flavor Profile: The signature bittersweet notes of Campari cut through the sweetness of the orange juice, creating a more complex and adult flavor that’s less sugary than a traditional mimosa.
• Vibrant Color: Campari lends a gorgeous, deep ruby-red hue to the drink, making it visually stunning and incredibly inviting. It’s a showstopper!
• Perfect for Any Occasion: While it’s an excellent brunch companion, its elegance and refreshing quality make it ideal for summer parties, holiday gatherings, or even just a relaxing evening at home.
• Effortlessly Elegant: Despite its sophisticated taste, this cocktail is incredibly simple to prepare, requiring just three main ingredients and minimal effort.
• Customizable: Easily adjust the ratios to suit your preference for more sweetness, more bitterness, or more fizz.

Looking for more delightful drink ideas? Explore my cocktail collection for other sparkling sensations like the zesty Aperol Mimosa, or indulge your sweet tooth with a treat from the dessert archive to perfectly complement your mimosa bar!

🎥 Video Tutorial: Crafting Your Campari Mimosa

Watch this quick video to see just how simple it is to whip up this impressive Campari Mimosa. Perfect for visual learners, it guides you through each step to ensure your cocktail turns out perfectly bubbly and delicious!

🥘 Ingredients for a Perfect Campari Mimosa

Creating this stunning Campari Mimosa requires just a few high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving that perfect balance of sweet, tart, and bitter.

• Campari Milano: This iconic Italian aperitif is the star of the show. Its distinctive vibrant red color and complex bittersweet flavor profile, with notes of orange peel, herbs, and roots, is what gives this mimosa its unique character. It’s more intensely bitter than Aperol, offering a bolder taste.
• Fresh Orange Juice (or Blood Orange Juice): For the best flavor, freshly squeezed orange juice is highly recommended. It provides a natural sweetness and bright citrus notes that perfectly complement the Campari. For a deeper color and a slightly richer, more complex flavor, consider using blood orange juice – it’s a beautiful seasonal twist!
• Chilled Prosecco or Champagne: A sparkling wine is essential for the mimosa’s effervescence. Prosecco, a drier Italian sparkling wine, is often preferred for mimosas due to its crispness and slightly fruity notes, which pair wonderfully with orange juice and Campari. Champagne can also be used for a more luxurious touch. Ensure it’s thoroughly chilled to maintain maximum fizziness.
• Garnish: A fresh mint leaf and an orange wedge (or orange twist) on a cocktail skewer not only add a touch of visual elegance but also release a wonderful aroma that enhances the drinking experience.

You’ll find precise quantities for this Campari Mimosa recipe in the detailed recipe card below.

🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make a Campari Mimosa

Crafting a perfect Campari Mimosa is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a beautifully balanced and bubbly drink every time.

Step 1: Pour the Base Liquids
Begin by pouring the Campari and your fresh orange juice into two elegant champagne flutes. The typical ratio is 1 part Campari to 2 parts orange juice, but feel free to adjust to your personal taste – more Campari for a bolder bitter note, or more juice for a sweeter, fruitier drink. Aim for about one-third to half-full, leaving plenty of room for your sparkling wine.

Step 2: Top with Sparkling Wine
Carefully top each glass with well-chilled Prosecco or Champagne. Pour slowly, tilting the glass slightly, to preserve those beautiful bubbles and prevent any overflow. The sparkling wine should fill the remaining space in the flute.

Step 3: Gentle Stir
Using a long-stemmed spoon or a cocktail stirrer, gently stir the mimosa a couple of times. This helps to combine the Campari and orange juice with the Prosecco without losing too much of the fizz. Be delicate to keep those lovely bubbles dancing!

Step 4: Garnish and Serve
Now for the finishing touch! Skewer a fresh orange wedge or a delicate orange twist along with a vibrant mint leaf onto a cocktail stick. Lay it artfully across the rim of each glass. Not only does this add a gorgeous visual appeal, but the fresh aroma of citrus and mint will elevate the entire drinking experience. Serve immediately and enjoy your perfectly crafted Campari Mimosa!

🥳 Batch Version for Parties (Serves 6)

Hosting a larger gathering? No problem! You can easily scale this Campari Mimosa recipe to make a pitcher for your guests. This batch version ensures everyone gets a delicious, bubbly drink without you having to play bartender all night.

Ingredients for a Pitcher

For a party-sized pitcher serving six, combine:

• 180 ml (¾ cup) Campari Milano: This is roughly 1 oz (3 cl) per serving.
• 360 ml (1½ cups) fresh orange juice or blood orange juice: Roughly 2 oz (6 cl) per serving.
• 540-600 ml (2¼-2½ cups) chilled Prosecco or champagne: Approximately 3-3.5 oz (9-10.5 cl) per serving, depending on how much fizz you prefer and the size of your flutes.

Instructions for Batch Preparation

1. In a large pitcher, carefully stir together the Campari and fresh orange juice. You can prepare this mixture ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours.
2. Just before serving, slowly pour in the chilled Prosecco or Champagne. Stir very gently once or twice to combine, being careful not to lose too much of the effervescence.
3. Pour the batch mimosa into individual champagne glasses.
4. Garnish each drink with a fresh orange wedge and a mint leaf on a cocktail skewer for a beautiful and aromatic presentation.

🍽 Essential Equipment for Your Campari Mimosa

You don’t need a professional bar setup to make a fantastic Campari Mimosa. Just a few basic tools will ensure perfect results:

• Measuring tools / Jigger: Precision is key for balanced cocktails. A jigger helps measure liquids accurately for consistent flavor.
• Long-stemmed spoon (Bar Spoon): Ideal for gently stirring the mimosa without de-carbonating the sparkling wine.
• Cocktail skewer: For elegantly presenting your garnish.
• Sharp knife & cutting board: Essential for preparing your fresh orange wedges and mint leaves.
• Champagne glasses (Flutes or Coupes): While flutes are classic for showing off bubbles, coupes also make for a stylish presentation. Ensure they are clean and preferably chilled.
• Pitcher (for batch version): A large pitcher is necessary for mixing and serving a party-sized batch.

🛒 What I Used for This Cocktail

For this refreshing Campari Mimosa, I specifically used Campari Milano—the authentic Italian aperitif that gives this drink its signature bold color and distinctive bittersweet flavor. Its rich, herbal complexity pairs beautifully with the brightness of orange juice and the crispness of Prosecco, making it an ideal choice for brunches and celebrations alike.

Wondering about the Campari Milano price or looking to stock up for your next party?
Here’s a convenient link to check the current price and order it online:

	$ Sale Price $ 32.99 Regular Price
Amaro Aperitif & Vermouth Bitter Red by Campari | 750ml | Italy

❓ How to Drink Campari? More Than Just Mimosas!

Campari is renowned for its versatility and distinctive bittersweet profile, making it a favorite among cocktail enthusiasts. While it shines in this cheerful Campari Mimosa, its uses extend far beyond a brunch drink. Here are some popular ways to enjoy Campari:

• Campari and Soda: A classic and wonderfully simple way to enjoy Campari. Just pour Campari over ice and top with soda water for a light, refreshing, and slightly bitter spritz.
• Negroni Cocktail: Perhaps the most famous Campari cocktail, the Negroni is a sophisticated blend of Campari, gin, and sweet vermouth, stirred over ice and garnished with an orange peel. It’s a perfectly balanced, bittersweet aperitif.
• Americano: Similar to a Negroni but lighter, the Americano combines Campari, sweet vermouth, and soda water. It’s an excellent choice for those who prefer a less boozy, more refreshing bitter drink.
• Campari Spritz: A popular variation of the Aperol Spritz, using Campari instead. Combine Campari, Prosecco, and a splash of soda water over ice for a more intensely bitter and vibrant spritz.
• With Tonic Water: For a slightly sweeter and less aggressively bitter option than soda water, try Campari with tonic. The quinine in tonic water beautifully complements Campari’s botanicals.
• On the Rocks: For the purists, Campari can be enjoyed simply over ice with an orange slice. This allows its complex flavors to truly shine.

Its bold flavor pairs beautifully with citrus, herbs, and sparkling mixers, proving there’s truly no wrong way to savor this iconic Italian liqueur.

🍊 Variations & Customizations for Your Campari Mimosa

The Campari Mimosa is already a fantastic twist on a classic, but you can further customize it to match your taste or the occasion:

• Citrus Swaps: Instead of regular orange juice, try using grapefruit juice for an even more tart and complex bittersweet profile. Or, as mentioned, blood orange juice offers a beautiful color and richer flavor.
• Add a Splash of Liqueur: For an extra layer of flavor, add a small splash of orange liqueur like Grand Marnier or Cointreau. This will enhance the orange notes and add a touch more sweetness and depth.
• Herbaceous Touch: While mint is a classic garnish, consider experimenting with a sprig of rosemary or thyme for a different aromatic twist.
• Sweetener Adjustments: If you find Campari too bitter, or your oranges aren’t sweet enough, a tiny dash of simple syrup or agave nectar can be added to the orange juice before mixing.
• Non-Alcoholic Version: For a mocktail, substitute Campari with a non-alcoholic bitter aperitif (like San Pellegrino Sanbitter or other alcohol-free bitters) and Prosecco with sparkling cider or non-alcoholic sparkling wine.
• Different Sparkling Wine: While Prosecco is great, feel free to use Cava for a drier profile, or a premium Champagne for a truly luxurious experience.

Other Delicious Recipes for You to Try

If you’re a fan of the Campari Mimosa, you’ll love these other vibrant and refreshing cocktails and drinks:

• Negroni Cocktail: The ultimate classic Campari cocktail.
• Aperol Mimosa: A slightly less bitter, equally delightful mimosa variation.
• Mixed Berry Mimosa: Fruity and colorful, perfect for summer.
• Classic Mimosa: The original, for when you crave tradition.
• Green Mimosa: A festive and unique mimosa, often made with kiwi or melon.
• National Mimosa Day {May 16} Roundup: A collection of all things mimosa!
• Classic Screwdriver: Simple, strong, and citrusy.
• Sloe Screw: A sweet and fruity cocktail.
• Cranberry Vodka Spritzer: Light, bubbly, and refreshing.

If you make this Campari Mimosa recipe, I’d love to hear how you liked it! Please share your thoughts by ★★★★★ star rating it and leaving a comment below. Your feedback is truly awesome! You can also sign up for our Newsletter to get weekly delicious recipes delivered straight to your inbox. And don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest or Instagram, and share your creation with me. Just tag me @combinegoodflavors and use the hashtag #combinegoodflavors, so I won’t miss it!

📖 Recipe: Campari Mimosa

⛑️ Food Safety Considerations for Cocktails

While cocktails might seem simple, ensuring food safety, especially when serving guests, is always important. Here are some general guidelines to keep in mind:

• Cleanliness is Key: Always wash your hands thoroughly before preparing any food or drinks. Ensure all equipment (jiggers, spoons, glasses, cutting boards) are clean and sanitized.
• Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh, high-quality ingredients, especially when it comes to fruit juices and garnishes. Avoid using fruit that shows signs of spoilage.
• Chilling: Keep all perishable ingredients, like fresh juice, properly chilled before and during preparation. This is crucial for both taste and safety.
• Ice Safety: Use fresh, clean ice made from potable water. Never reuse ice, especially if it has been in contact with hands or other ingredients.
• Batch Preparation: If making a batch in advance, store the non-sparkling mixture (Campari and orange juice) in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Add the sparkling wine just before serving.
• No Cross-Contamination: While not as critical as with raw meat, avoid using the same cutting board or knife for garnishes if it has been used for other foods that could pose a risk.
• Mind the Temperature: Do not leave prepared cocktails or juice mixtures sitting out at room temperature for extended periods, especially in warm weather.
• Alcohol Awareness: Remind guests to drink responsibly.

For further comprehensive information on safe food handling, always refer to reputable sources like the FDA’s Safe Food Handling guidelines.