Fresh berries and mint add a fun, fruity twist to a classic champagne cocktail in this simple blackberry mint mimosa recipe. It's light, bubbly, and easy to drink - a go-to for any celebratory breakfast or brunch. Otherwise known as a blackberry bellini, this 4-ingredient cocktail is perfect to add to your weekend rotation!
They say you shouldn't mess with a good thing, but I say when it comes to cocktails, all bets are off. I'll take classic mimosas at brunch any day, but I'm also happy to give the OJ a break.
Today, we're ditching the citrus completely in favor of a handful of plump, juicy blackberries. Punched up with a touch of mint, you get a brand new spin on the mimosa (or a blackberry bellini, if you will) that's every bit as bubbly and refreshing as the cocktail you know and love.
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Blackberry mimosa ingredients
A traditional mimosa requires just two ingredients. For this blackberry mint mimosa, you'll only need a couple more!
- Blackberries - Inspired by the raspberries in this limoncello cocktail, I muddled fresh blackberries to make the juice for this recipe. While it's admittedly an extra step, I think the pure flavor and ruby color it adds to the mimosas is 1000% worth it. BUT, you can buy pure blackberry juice if you're looking for an easy swap.
- Fresh spearmint - This is the mint you'll find in most grocery stores, and the same one that's used in mojitos. You'll only need a few mint leaves for this recipe, so save the rest of the bunch for a batch of mint ice cream or mint iced coffees! You could also skip the mint entirely for a straightforward blackberry mimosa.
- Simple syrup - You can purchase this in any store that sells basic cocktail mixers, but it's even easier to make homemade simple syrup. If your blackberries are really ripe and sweet, you may not need to add the extra sweetener to your mimosa at all.
- Champagne - There are many varieties of champagne out there. For mimosas, I recommend using one labeled "brut" or "extra brut". These will be more dry and less sweet, since we already have fruit juice contributing to the sweetness in this cocktail. You definitely don't need the most expensive bottle you can find, but don't opt for the cheapest either. I'd recommend choosing a champagne in the $15-$20 range that you'd enjoy drinking by itself.
- Coarse sugar - This is completely optional. I always have coarse sugar on hand, so I like to use a little bit as an abrasive when muddling my mint to help release the mint oils.
How to make this mimosa
Even though there's a a bit more effort involved when using fresh berries in place of orange juice, you can still whip up a couple blackberry mimosas in less than 10 minutes. Here's how:
Step one - Make the blackberry juice. Using a cocktail muddler, mash fresh blackberries in a glass until they're soft and juicy. (You'll need roughly 4 ounces of berries per cocktail.) Transfer the mashed blackberries to a piece of cheesecloth or a nut milk bag and squeeze the juice out. Measure 2 ¼ ounces of juice and pour this into a large glass or cocktail shaker.
Tip!
The method outlined above is one of my favorites for infusing cocktails with fresh juices, without having to worry about getting seeds or pulp in your drink. It works great for slightly less conventional ingredients, like the cucumber juice I use in my cucumber Moscow mules.
Step two - Muddle the mint. Add the mint leaves and (optionally) a dash of coarse sugar. Muddle the mint briefly to release its natural oils.
Step three - Mix. Add the simple syrup (if using) and fill your glass or cocktail shaker with ice. Shake or stir to mix and chill the liquid.
Step four - Top with champagne. Use a cocktail strainer (or a mini mesh strainer) to strain the mixture into a champagne glass. Top with champagne and garnish with fresh blackberries or a mint sprig before serving.
Mimosa variations
Mimosas are just about the easiest cocktails to play around with (heck, I've even turned them into mojitos!), and this one is no exception. Here are a few simple ways to switch up the flavors in this drink:
- Swap the blackberries for another bramble fruit, like raspberries, or a combination of mixed berries. Any other type of pure, fresh fruit juice can also be used for a mimosa - like blood orange, mango, pomegranate, or grapefruit juice.
- Swap the mint leaves with a different flavor-enhancer like lavender, vanilla bean, or sage.
- Add a liqueur in place of the simple syrup. Creme de cassis, creme de mure, or Chambord would all pair well with the blackberries and mint in this homemade mimosa.
Recipe FAQ
I don't recommend it. Blending the berries turns them into a thicker, smoothie-like consistency rather than a fluid juice. Even if you strain the blended mixture, the final product will be thick and pulpy, and won't mix well with the champagne.
Yes, but since Prosecco is sweeter than champagne, I'd skip the added simple syrup.
To turn this into a mocktail recipe, I'd suggest swapping the champagne with a different fizzy mixer like club soda or sparkling water. Or, add ginger beer for a sweeter twist.
Brunch pairings for mimosas
These blackberry mint mimosas are the perfect breakfast or brunch cocktail, whether you're celebrating a holiday, throwing a shower, or just enjoying a slow weekend! Here's what else I'd add to the table:
- Scones - Think blueberry or vanilla bean.
- Biscuits - The perfect blank canvas for both sweet and savory breakfasts.
- Quiche - A brunch classic. I'd recommend this sausage quiche for meat lovers, and this vegetarian quiche for a lighter option.
- Muffins - I'd opt for something fruit-forward like these lemon poppyseed muffins. They'd be perfect for Easter or Mother's Day!
- Coffee Cake - Particularly, this apricot almond one. My light kumquat bundt cake would also be a great option!
- Waffles - Another classic! These Belgian-style waffles are my go-to recipe.
- Cinnamon Rolls - Try these traditional cinnamon rolls, or my cinnamon raisin rolls!
More homemade cocktails
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Recipe Card
Blackberry Mint Mimosa (Bellini)
This summery spin on the classic mimosa makes perfect use of the season's fresh produce with juicy blackberries and a touch of mint. Otherwise known as a blackberry bellini, this 4-ingredient cocktail is bubbly, light, and refreshing - a great addition to any breakfast or brunch!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
- Category: beverages
- Method: cocktail shaker
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ ounces blackberry juice, from 4 - 4 ½ ounces fresh blackberries
- 5 spearmint leaves
- coarse sugar, for muddling (optional)
- ¼ ounce simple syrup, optional
- 4 ¾ ounces brut champagne, well-chilled
- fresh blackberries or mint sprigs, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Make the blackberry juice: Muddle fresh blackberries in a glass until soft and juicy. Transfer to a piece of cheesecloth or a nut milk bag and squeeze the juice out. Measure 2 ¼ ounces of juice and pour into a large glass or cocktail shaker.
- Muddle the mint: Add the mint leaves to the juice and (optionally) sprinkle with a dash of coarse sugar. Muddle.
- Mix. Add the simple syrup (if using) and fill your glass or cocktail shaker with ice. Shake or stir to mix and chill.
- Top with champagne: Strain the mixture into a champagne glass. Top with champagne and garnish with fresh blackberries or a mint sprig before serving.
Notes
Ingredients notes and substitutions:
- Brut or Extra Brut champagne is best for mimosas. If using Prosecco, I'd suggest skipping the added simple syrup. I provided an exact measurement above, but you can simply use enough champagne to fill your champagne flute.
- Although the simple syrup is optional, you could also swap it with a liqueur that will compliment the flavors in this cocktail, like creme de cassis.
- For a non-alcoholic mimosa, use club soda, sparkling water, or ginger beer instead of champagne.
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Sandra
I like your replacement suggestions. The color of this drink is gorgeous. I think next time I make a mixed drink, I'm going to try this one!
Lexi
Sometimes I get tired of regular mimosas, so I decided to try this blackberry version and it was delicious! It’s definitely worth the effort of muddling the fresh blackberries to make this - will be making again for sure!
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext
These blackberry mimosas look delicious - I love the colour! I have lots of homegrown mint to use and I'll definitely be trying these! Happy Weekend!
alexandra
Thanks Jess! I have TONS of mint too - def an inspiration for more cocktails! ;)
Ashley
My mint plant is growing like crazy and I need more ways to put it to use! These sound awesome!
alexandra
Same here - so much mint!
Thanks Ashley!