Elderflower Guava Mimosa

Last summer, I showed up to a friend's garden brunch with absolutely nothing prepared, and she handed me a bottle of elderflower liqueur she'd picked up in France. We stood there in her kitchen for exactly five minutes, staring at a carton of guava nectar and a dusty bottle of champagne, when suddenly this drink assembled itself. It was one of those moments where the right ingredients just know how to find each other. Now whenever someone asks for something elegant but effortless, this is what I make.

I made these for my partner's parents the first time they visited, mostly because I was too nervous to attempt actual cooking. My mother-in-law took one sip and asked for the recipe in that tone that means she actually wanted it. That moment told me this drink had staying power, the kind that moves beyond the brunch table into people's regular rotations.

Ingredients

• Guava nectar: The tropical backbone that gives this drink its peachy-pink color and natural sweetness. Make sure it's the kind you'd actually drink straight, not the syrupy concentrate stuff.
• Elderflower liqueur: St-Germain is the standard, and honestly it's worth it because those delicate florals are what make people taste something they can't quite name.
• Champagne or sparkling wine: Don't feel obligated to spend a fortune here, but do chill it properly because room temperature bubbles are a tragedy.
• Edible flowers or guava slices: These are purely optional but they catch the light beautifully and give guests something to admire before they drink.

Instructions

Perfect for simmering soups, baking casseroles, and serving cozy one-pot meals straight from oven to table.

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Start with the guava:

Pour exactly 1/4 cup of the chilled guava nectar into each flute first. This creates your color foundation and keeps the drink from feeling too boozy right away.

Add the elderflower:

Measure out 2 tablespoons of elderflower liqueur per glass and pour it slowly down the side of the flute. You'll see it mingle with the guava and create this beautiful gradient.

Top with champagne:

Hold the bottle at a slight angle and pour the champagne gently until each flute is full. The bubbles should rise up calm and steady, not volcanic.

Give it a gentle stir:

Use a bar spoon or any long thin spoon to stir just enough that the flavors start saying hello to each other. About five slow rotations is plenty.

Garnish and serve right away:

If you're using flowers or guava slices, add them now and serve immediately while everything is still cold and the bubbles are still awake.

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I served these at my sister's small elopement celebration last fall, and watching everyone relax into the meal once that first sip hit is something I still think about. There's something about a drink that tastes like celebration but doesn't require you to be an amateur mixologist.

Making It Your Own

Once you understand the basic ratio, you can absolutely fiddle with it. Some people prefer more elderflower because they love that almost perfume-like quality, while others want the guava to take center stage. The beauty of this drink is that it's forgiving enough to bend to your taste without falling apart. Start with what I've written and then adjust the next time you make it based on what your palate is actually telling you.

Non-Alcoholic Variations

Elderflower cordial or syrup (the kind you'd use for fancy sodas) swaps in seamlessly for the liqueur, and then you can use sparkling water or alcohol-free sparkling wine to fill it out. The drink loses maybe ten percent of its depth but gains inclusivity, which feels important at a table where everyone should be toasting together. I've made it this way for afternoon gatherings and nobody felt like they were missing something.

Storage and Serving Notes

These are meant to be assembled and consumed immediately, so don't try to batch them ahead of time. However, you can absolutely chill all your components in advance and then pour them together when people arrive. If you're making multiple batches, pour all the guava and elderflower into a pitcher first, then add champagne to individual flutes right as you serve.

• Always keep your champagne in the coldest part of your fridge for at least two hours before serving.
• If you don't have champagne flutes, regular wine glasses work but they won't be quite as magical.
• The drink stays best if consumed within thirty minutes of assembly, so make them as guests are actually ready to drink.

Create smooth frozen drinks, slushies, and frappés for desserts and parties using juices, coffee, or wine.

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This drink taught me that sometimes the most memorable things taste better than they look, but when you get both happening at once, that's when people remember the moment. Keep this recipe close for those mornings when you want to make brunch feel less ordinary.

Recipe Questions & Answers

→ Can I make this cocktail ahead of time?

For best results, prepare this cocktail just before serving to maintain the champagne's effervescence. You can measure the guava nectar and elderflower liqueur into the flutes up to an hour ahead, then add the champagne immediately before guests arrive.

→ What type of champagne works best?

A dry brut or extra brut champagne provides the best balance against the sweet guava nectar and elderflower liqueur. Prosecco or Cava are excellent budget-friendly alternatives that still deliver crisp bubbles and bright flavor.

→ How can I make a non-alcoholic version?

Replace the elderflower liqueur with an equal amount of elderflower syrup and substitute the champagne with sparkling water or non-alcoholic sparkling wine. The flavor profile remains floral and refreshing while being completely alcohol-free.

→ Can I use fresh guava instead of nectar?

While fresh guava is delicious, it would require straining and sweetening to achieve the right consistency. Guava nectar provides the ideal smooth texture and sweetness level. If using fresh, blend and strain very ripe guavas, then add simple syrup to taste.

→ What other garnishes work well?

Beyond edible flowers and guava slices, consider fresh mint sprigs, elderflower blossoms, or a twist of lime peel. Candied ginger or a dusting of edible glitter adds festive flair for holidays and special celebrations.