Quick Answer
A standard mimosa contains about 100 calories per serving. While not high in calories compared to some mixed drinks, the calories can add up quickly if you have more than one. Mimosas are typically made with equal parts sparkling wine and orange juice, so the calorie content comes from both ingredients. Using low-calorie sparkling wine and orange juice can reduce the calories to some extent. Overall, mimosas are relatively low in calories for an alcoholic beverage, but should still be enjoyed in moderation.
What Exactly is a Mimosa?
A mimosa is a popular brunch cocktail typically made by mixing equal parts sparkling wine and orange juice. The most common ratios are:
- 1 part sparkling wine
- 1 part orange juice
Standard mimosas are made with these two ingredients alone. However, there are some variations that include additional ingredients like fruit purees or liqueurs. The most classic mimosas contain just sparkling wine and orange juice though.
The drink is thought to have originated back in the 1920s in Paris. It was named after the mimosa plant because of the drink’s bubbly, yellow color resembling the fluffy yellow flowers. Mimosas became a brunch staple in the United States by the 1980s and have remained popular since.
Standard Mimosa Ingredients
Sparkling Wine
The sparkling wine used in mimosas is often a budget-friendly option like prosecco or cava rather than the more expensive champagne. Prosecco and cava offer bubbles and dryness at a fraction of the cost of true champagne.
Champagne can certainly be used for a splurge-worthy mimosa, but is not required. Using a more affordable sparkling wine keeps the cocktail from becoming too pricey.
Orange Juice
Freshly squeezed orange juice is ideal for the best flavor in mimosas. However, store-bought 100% orange juice or even orange juice from concentrate can be used as well.
To cut back on calories, low-calorie or light orange juice is an option. Just be sure to still use 100% juice rather than juice cocktail which contains added sugar and calories.
Nutrition Information
The nutrition information for a mimosa can vary depending on the exact ingredients used. However, here are the approximate calories and macronutrients for a standard mimosa:
Standard Mimosa (4 oz each sparkling wine and orange juice)
- Calories: 100
- Carbs: 14g
- Sugar: 12g
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 0g
This is based on using a moderately priced prosecco and 100% orange juice without added sugar.
Let’s break down the calories of each component:
Sparkling wine
A 4 oz glass of an average prosecco or cava contains about:
- 80 calories
- 3g carbs
- 0g sugar
- 1g protein
So the sparkling wine itself is quite low in calories, carbs, and sugar. The calories in wine come primarily from the alcohol itself.
Orange juice
A 4 oz glass of store-bought orange juice contains approximately:
- 50 calories
- 12g carbs
- 11g sugar
- 1g protein
Nearly all the calories in orange juice come from natural sugars. The juice contains no fat.
When combined, the total calorie count for a mimosa comes out to about 100 calories for an equal parts mixture.
Mimosa Calorie Count Factors
There are a few factors that can affect the calories in a mimosa:
Type of sparkling wine
- Champagne: 110 calories per 4 oz
- Prosecco: 80 calories per 4 oz
- Cava: 80 calories per 4 oz
- Budget sparkling wine: 70 calories per 4 oz
As you can see, champagne contains significantly more calories than other affordable sparking wines. Sticking with prosecco or cava helps keep the calorie count lower.
Sweetness of sparkling wine
Dryer sparking wines tend to be lower in calories than sweeter options. Look for brut or extra brut on the label to pick a drier, less caloric wine.
Orange juice calories
- Regular orange juice: 50 calories per 4 oz
- Light orange juice: 40 calories per 4 oz
- Fresh orange juice: 47 calories per 4 oz
Light or fresh orange juice will save you a few calories compared to standard OJ.
Mixing ratio
Using more sparkling wine and less orange juice will lower the calorie count. Conversely, adding more juice than wine will increase calories.
A good rule of thumb is to keep the mix to half wine, half juice. Deviate too far in either direction and you lose the balance of flavors.
Tips for Lightening Up Your Mimosa
If you want to cut back on calories but still enjoy mimosas, here are some tips:
Use light orange juice
Simply swapping regular orange juice for lower calorie light orange juice can save you 10 or so calories per serving.
Mix with seltzer
For a spritzier, lighter mimosa, use half sparkling wine and half seltzer. The seltzer has zero calories so this cuts the calorie count significantly.
Increase the wine ratio
Go easy on the juice by using a 3:1 or 2:1 wine to juice ratio. This slightly reduces calories while still providing orange flavor.
Go for a single serving
One standard mimosa contains around 100 calories. It’s when you have multiple mimosas that the calories start to climb. Sipping on just one with brunch is a smart strategy.
Use smaller champagne flutes
Pouring mimosas into smaller flutes means you’ll fill up with less liquid and fewer calories. Don’t go too small though or the proportions get thrown off.
The Verdict on Mimosa Calories
A single standard mimosa made with 4 ounces each prosecco and orange juice clocks in at around 100 calories. This is a relatively low calorie count compared to many mixed drinks. However, those calories can add up if you consume multiple mimosas at brunch. Having more than one mimosa isn’t necessarily off limits – just be mindful of your overall calorie intake. Alternatives like swapping in light juice, seltzer, or more wine can provide a lower calorie mimosa option. At the end of the day, enjoy your mimosa but focus on sipping responsibly. One mimosa with a well-balanced brunch is perfectly reasonable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are mimosas high in sugar?
Mimosas do contain sugar, but it’s not an excessive amount compared to some other mixed drinks. A standard mimosa with 4 oz each of juice and sparkling wine has around 12 grams of sugar. The sugar comes from the orange juice rather than the wine. Light orange juice can reduce the total sugar content. Overall, mimosas are relatively low in sugar for a cocktail.
Can I make a low calorie mimosa?
Yes, there are a few easy ways to reduce the calories in a mimosa:
- Use light orange juice instead of regular
- Mix with seltzer instead of 100% juice
- Do half wine and half juice instead of equal parts
- Choose a dryer, lower calorie sparkling wine
Any of these tweaks can shave off 20-30 calories from a standard mimosa. The lowest calorie option would be 3 oz dry sparkling wine mixed with 1 oz light orange juice.
Are bottomless mimosas bad for you?
Bottomless mimosas refer to getting unlimited refills of mimosas during brunch. This can easily lead to excessive calorie, sugar, and alcohol intake. Consuming multiple mimosas means extra calories, carbs, and sugar compared to sticking with just one. It’s best to avoid bottomless mimosas and opt for just one serving or select a lower calorie drink after your first mimosa. Be cautious of getting carried away with bottomless drink deals.
Can diabetics drink mimosas?
Mimosas are generally OK for diabetics in moderation. Light orange juice is the best option to reduce the carbohydrate and sugar content. Overall, a single standard mimosa with 1 oz juice contains 12 g of carbs and sugar, which is a moderate amount. Keep portions limited, avoid bottomless mimosas, and check blood sugar levels before drinking. Consult your doctor to see if mimosas fit into your diet plan.
The Bottom Line
A mimosa here and there can be part of an overall healthy diet. Just be aware of the calorie, carbohydrate, and alcohol content when choosing how often and how much to indulge. Sipping on light mimosa variations and sticking to one drink is the wisest approach. But an occasional standard mimosa is fine for most people to enjoy in moderation with no need to feel guilty. Now go out and enjoy brunch with this classic morning cocktail. Cheers!