Brunch has become increasingly popular over the last several years, and it’s no secret why. Delectable sweet and savory foods taste great any time of the day, and there are a host of brunch-friendly drinks that are the perfect complement to the many flavors involved. For example, brunch and mimosas go hand in hand.

That’s why, if you’re considering hosting your very own brunch get together, a mimosa bar is a must. We suggest offering some spins on the classic mimosa, as well as bubbly alternatives. Here are some budget-friendly options as well as more sophisticated choices to keep your mimosa bar exciting.

Juices

While the classic mimosa features orange juice, you don’t have to stick to the basics. Offer a variety of juices—just keep the design classy and place your selections in labeled milk carafe-style containers with lids. Apple cider can add an incredible flavor spin to your basic mimosa, and pineapple juice, cranberry juice, and grapefruit juice are all great options. If you want to class up a classic, blood orange juice can really elevate your mimosa bar.

Bubbly

Champagne is that bubbly beverage from a region of the same name in France. However, true French champagne can cost a little more than you may want to spend. If you want to elevate your mimosa bar, opt for the luxurious Moet Brut Imperial. If you want to keep the whole event more affordable, Andre Spumante is a classic standby, and the Andre brand carries several options that can change up the basic mimosa flavor. For a middle-of-the-road option, Chandon Brut is still affordable, and delicious. Be sure to keep all your bubbly on ice throughout the event to preserve the flavor and keep the beverage sparkling.

Fruits

Any fruit is a good fruit for a mimosa. For every juice you have in stock, you should consider offering the same fresh fruit. Fruits with a bit of sturdiness work the best, which means blueberries, pomegranate seeds, apple slices, and strawberries. Strawberries are a classic pairing with champagne, so definitely don’t skip those. Aside from fruit, don’t forget the fresh herbs—herbs are experiencing a serious resurgence in many cocktails, and it’s no mystery why. You can grow them yourself, they add a ton of flavor to any drink, and they can take any plain cocktail from boring to vibrant in mere seconds.

Glassware

The right glass is essential to the mimosa and choosing a good mimosa glass means considering that a mimosa is a bubbly beverage. A flute is the typical choice for champagne, Prosecco, and mimosas for a few reasons. Primarily, the shape of the glass encourages the bubbles to stick around a little longer than a glass with more surface area. Second, dropping a berry or two into that beverage might be a little more satisfying in a deep glass. Third—it just looks nice!

Now that you have your mimosa bar ingredients, we have a few final tips to keep in mind:

• Variety is important, but don’t overdo it. A few options in each category still creates a lot of opportunities to mix and match.
• Make sure there’s lots of color unless you’re going trendy and monochromatic.
• Be sure to pour the bubbly first—it just mixes better.

Our selection of bubbly can’t be beaten! Visit your nearest Payless Liquors location to stock your next mimosa bar.