Nucleus Mimosa

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Cocktail History

The Nucleus Mimosa is a brunch cocktail that was created at The Nucleus, a brunch restaurant in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Similar to the classic Mimosa, the recipe is also made with sparkling wine and orange juice, but it adds in cranberry juice for more tartness and a lovely ombré color.

Cocktail Ingredients

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Sparkling Wine: This is a type of wine made with white grapes and yeast, which are fermented with the skins to produce alcohol and then infused with carbon dioxide gas to develop a pale yellow-green color and crisp, fruity flavor.

Orange Juice: This is the liquid extracted from the flesh of ripe oranges that has a light, sweet citrus flavor and pale orange color.

Cranberry Juice: This is the liquid extracted from ripe cranberries that’s blended with water to develop a dark, tart flavor.

Lime Slice: This is a slice of lime that has been cut into a half wheel shape.

Bartending Tools

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:

Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.

Paring Knife: This is used to cut ingredients. I used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.

Measuring Cup: This is used to carefully pour juice into the glass. I used the OXO Steel Angled Measuring Jigger.

Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

• Appearance: Bright red and yellow-orange with an ombré effect

• Aroma: Citrus and dry wine

• Taste: Orange juice flavor mixed with bubbly sparkling wine

• Finish: Bittersweet cranberry and tart lime

Kendall’s Take: “I don’t drink much orange juice, but I will when the reward of getting slightly buzzed at brunch is in it for me. The Nucleus Mimosa in particular tastes very similar to the classic, but its presentation is *chef’s kiss* There’s a reason it’s become so iconic in my hometown. When you see a waiter walk by with a tray of these beauties, it’s hard to resist ordering one. And now you can make it from the comfort of your own home!”

Recipe