A Buck’s Fizz by any other name is what most Americans know as a Mimosa. This Sunday brunch staple may well be the most commonly known Champagne cocktail. The Buck’s Fizz or Mimosa is a simply elegant cocktail which turns an ordinary breakfast into an invitation for leisurely conversation.
The Buck’s Fizz originated in 1921 with barman, Pat McGarry, the first bartender of the famous Buck’s Club in London. McGarry is also the recognized creator of the original Sidecar cocktail. Captain H. J. Buckmaster established the Buck’s Club in 1919. He wanted an American Cocktail Bar rather than the stuffy traditional gentlemen’s clubs in existence at the time. He must have hit upon something, because the Buck’s Club made its way into contemporary fiction writing and has hit Hollywood’s big screen.
With only two ingredients, Champagne and orange juice, the Buck’s Fizz is an easy preparation. A Buck’s Fizz is heavier on orange juice than the Mimosa version that followed a few short years later, making its appearance at the Ritz Hotel in Paris in 1925. Both are very similar, the difference being only in the ratios of Champagne to orange juice. If Champagne is not available or desired, sparkling wine or Prosecco may be used. Fresh orange juice is always a plus, but is not absolutely necessary to make either of these cocktails a winning combination.
Buck’s Fizz
4 ounces Orange Juice
2 ounces Champagne
Pour chilled orange juice in chilled champagne flute. Top with champagne. Garnish with float of grenadine and maraschino cherry if desired.
Mimosa
2 ounces Orange Juice
4 ounces Champagne
Pour chilled orange juice in chilled champagne flute. Top with champagne. Garnish with float of grenadine and maraschino cherry if desired.
Barman Frank Meier or the Ritz Bar created an alternate version to the Mimosa calling it a Valencia.
Valencia
1 ounce Orange Juice
1/2 ounce Apricot Liqueur
5 ounces Champagne
Orange Spiral Garnish
Pour chilled orange juice and apricot liqueur in chilled champagne flute. Top with champagne. Garnish with orange spiral.
Yet another version of this ever popular cocktail is the French Mimosa using Grand Marnier. Cointreau or other Premium Orange Liqueur may be used as a substitute as well.
French Mimosa
1 ounce Orange Juice
1/2 ounce Premium Orange Liqueur
5 ounces Champagne
Orange Spiral Garnish
Orange Bitters – optional
Place chilled orange juice and orange liqueur in chilled champagne flute. Add orange bitters if desired. Top with champagne. Garnish with orange spiral.
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