I love having some kind of theme for parties or events. Sometimes this theme is shown through the food and other times it is shown through a signature drink or some type of bar. I have set up bourbon tasting bars, punch bars, and serve yourself cocktail bars. I think it is fun for guests to serve themselves and get to experiment with different concoctions. Activities and themes are always good ways to get everyone involved and excited about a party or event. It also brings a certain vibe and life to the party which is so much fun!

With this in mind I decided to create a mimosa bar for the upcoming weekend. This is a great idea for brunch or lunch but would also work for a dinner party as well. I wanted to elevate the typical orange juice and champagne mimosa. I included that option here but also got creative with other juices and garnishes to kick it up a notch.

The best part about this bar is that everything can be done ahead of time and set up right before your guests arrive. It is so simple and with minimal effort you will look like a star.

DYI Mimosa Bar Instructions:

Supplies:

Bubbles: When I made this bar a couple of weeks ago 1 bottle of bubbles made around 8 mimosas depending on the serving glass. So, I would probably have a couple of bottles of cava, prosecco, or champagne.Make sure they are cold and stored in an ice bucket.

Water: Club soda for a non-alcoholic version is always a good idea as well as water to refresh your guests.

Ice and Ice bucket: The ice bucket ensures that the bubbles are always chilled.

Garnishes: I think that mimosas and cocktails in general really improve by having garnishes.Not only does it make the drink look amazing it is always fun to have something to nibble on and enhance the flavor of the drink.For this mimosa bar I had sliced strawberries, oranges, raspberries, blackberries, and carrot strings.You can use anything you wish and seasonal fruit is always a fun option.

Juice: The juice for the mimosa bar makes the drink.It’s fun to offer classics like orange but also include some seasonal stuff.For this bar I had six flavors including orange, pineapple, pomegranate, blackberry, grapefruit, and orange carrot.

Glasses: Champagne glasses are always fun to use because you are using sparkling booze and this makes it feel like a celebration.I like to mix and match glasses at parties because I think it adds a nice design element to the set-up.I sugar rimmed each glass to make it pretty and more festive.I would use whatever glasses you have at home and call it a day.

Juice Glasses and Labels: I put the juice in clear bottles so the juice color could be brought to life.It makes for a pretty set-up with minimal effort.I also used place setting cards and butcher string to label the flavors of the juice for a cute touch.There are a lot of creative things you could do here so add your personal touch and bring out your creative side.

Table Décor: I used a big chalkboard and jelly beans to decorate my table.There are so many options.I like to use whatever I already have at home instead of buying a bunch of stuff.Flowers, candy, and candles are all good options.Keep in mind that the juice and champagne bottles are so pretty that you don’t really need much décor or any at all.

Setup:

1. Decorate your bar or table.Be creative and have fun.

2. Pour juice into clear glasses.Add homemade labels.

3. Rim serving glasses with sugar.

4. Chop garnishes and place in serving dishes.

5. Add ice to ice buckets and pop the bubbly.

6. Add juice, serving glasses, garnishes, ice buckets, and champagne to the bar or table.

7. Add guests.

DIY Mimosa Bar

2 bottles of chilled champagne, cava, or prosecco

1 bottle of club soda for non-alcoholic version

1 cup strawberries, sliced

1 orange, sliced

1 cup raspberries

1 cup blackberries

1 cup of carrot strings

2 cups of orange, blackberry, pomegranate, pineapple, grapefruit, and carrot/orange juice

Sugar for rimming the glasses

Ice for ice bucket

Set up table with décor, juice, rimmed glasses, garnishes, ice bucket, and champagne

Fill champagne glasses halfway with juice

Top off with champagne and garnish

Yields: 16 servings

image: Personal Creations