Champagne and Sunshine: The Surprising Origins of the Mimosa

Whether you like it with extra pulp or “just a splash” of juice, Saturday, May 16, 2026, is your day. National Mimosa Day celebrates the drink that made it socially acceptable to have a cocktail before noon. But where did this bright, bubbly tradition come from?

The Ritz Paris, 1925

While people have been mixing wine and fruit for centuries, the modern Mimosa was “officially” born at the Ritz Hotel in Paris in 1925. A bartender named Frank Meier wanted to create a lighter, more refreshing version of the “Buck’s Fizz” (which had more champagne and less juice). He named it after the yellow Mimosa flower, which blooms throughout France in the spring.

The Hitchcock Connection

The Mimosa didn’t become an American staple until the 1960s, and we might have the master of suspense to thank for it. Legend has it that Alfred Hitchcock was a massive fan of the drink and helped popularize it in Hollywood as the “perfect morning-after” tonic. Soon, it migrated from Hollywood parties to Sunday family brunches across the country.

The “Perfect” 2026 Mimosa

Today, “Brunch Culture” has taken the Mimosa to new heights. If you’re celebrating this Saturday, here are the three rules for a 2026-style Mimosa:

1. Chilled, Not Iced: Never put ice in a Mimosa. Chill the glasses and the liquids separately.
2. The Ratio: The classic Ritz ratio is $50/50$, but the modern “Dry” Mimosa is usually $75%$ champagne and $25%$ juice.
3. The “Twist”: Try using blood orange juice or adding a splash of pomegranate for a modern color profile.

However you pour it, here’s to a sunny, bubbly, and safe National Mimosa Day. Cheers!