Lychee Mimosa (With Alcoholic & Non-Alcoholic Options)

Mimosas make any occasion feel like a party. While I love a classic OJ mimosa, it’s fun to branch out with other flavors.

A few years ago, I tried a lychee mimosa… and it actually sort of changed my life. Sounds a little dramatic, I know, but honestly, it’s become my favorite.

If this is a new flavor for you, lychee is a sweet tropical fruit native to China. It has a floral, slightly citrusy flavor that makes it an ideal base for mimosas.

So I’m excited to share my lychee mimosa recipe, with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. It’s one of my go-to drinks for brunches and daytime gatherings, and is always a crowd-pleaser.

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Ingredients

This lychee mimosa comes together with just two ingredients.

Lychee Soft Drink

For most of my cocktails and mocktails, I prefer using fresh juice or juice that isn’t made from concentrate.

However, for this recipe, I use Calpico lychee soft drink, which is a lightly sweetened, lychee-flavored beverage made with lychee juice concentrate. It’s a bit lighter and sweeter than pure lychee juice, which actually works really well for mimosas.

You can find it on Amazon or sometimes at Safeway, but your best (and most affordable) option is usually an Asian grocery store like 99 Ranch.

You can also use 100% lychee juice if you prefer a more natural option, though it may be slightly less sweet, so you may want to adjust to taste.

Sparkling Wine or Sparkling Water

In addition to the lychee juice, you’ll need either sparkling wine or sparkling water.

For the alcoholic version, I use Trader Joe’s Secco Frizzante, a light, slightly sweet Italian sparkling wine (similar to an Extra Dry Prosecco).

It’s very affordable, and while I probably wouldn’t drink it on its own, it pairs nicely with fruit juice. One of my favorite features is the screw top, which makes serving a crowd much easier.

For the non-alcoholic version, simply swap the sparkling wine for sparkling water. I usually use Trader Joe’s since it’s convenient and I can’t tell much of a difference, but feel free to use your favorite brand.

Now let’s dive into the recipe. It’s very simple, but one quick note: while mimosas are often made with a 50/50 ratio of juice to bubbly, I use closer to 40/60 to balance the sweetness of the lychee.

This also works well for batching (more on that below), since I like to add frozen lychee juice cubes, which melt and make the drink slightly sweeter over time.

How to Batch Lychee Mimosas

If you’re making these for a party or brunch, batching them ahead of time is definitely doable. Just keep a few things in mind:

• Chill all ingredients thoroughly (it takes longer than you think)
• Wait until the last minute to mix to preserve the bubbles
• Use frozen lychees or lychee juice cubes to keep drinks cold without diluting

I like to use canned lychees and freeze a few ahead of time, along with some lychee juice cubes. As they melt, they’ll make the mimosas slightly sweeter. Since the ratio starts lower on juice, I haven’t found this to be a problem, but if needed, you can always top off with more sparkling wine or water.

Batched Recipe (About 7 Servings)

• 14.5 oz lychee soft drink (about 1 ¾ cups)
• 1 bottle sparkling wine (750 ml / ~25.4 oz)
  or
• 25.4 oz sparkling water

FAQs

See below for answers to frequently asked questions. 

What does a lychee mimosa taste like?

A lychee mimosa is light, slightly sweet, and floral with a subtle citrusy note. It’s more delicate and less tangy than a traditional orange juice mimosa.

Can I make lychee mimosas without alcohol?

Yes! Simply swap the sparkling wine for sparkling water to make a non-alcoholic version.

What kind of sparkling wine should I use for mimosas?

An Extra Dry Prosecco or similar sparkling wine works best. Its light sweetness helps balance the lychee.

Can I use 100% lychee juice instead of a lychee soft drink?

Yes, but it may be slightly less sweet than the version shown here. You can adjust to taste or add a touch more juice if needed.

What’s the best ratio for a lychee mimosa?

An approximate 40/60 ratio of lychee juice to sparkling wine (or water) works well to balance the sweetness while keeping the drink light and bubbly.

Can I batch lychee mimosas for a party?

Yes! You can mix lychee juice and sparkling wine or water in a large dispenser, but wait until just before serving to combine so the drinks stay bubbly. For best results, keep all ingredients well chilled and use frozen lychees or juice cubes instead of ice.

Can I make lychee mimosas ahead of time?

You can prep the ingredients ahead, but wait to combine them until just before serving so they stay bubbly.

How do I keep mimosas cold without watering them down?

Use frozen lychees or lychee juice ice cubes instead of regular ice. This keeps the drink cold without diluting the flavor.

More Easy Drinks for Brunch & Entertaining

If you’re searching for more easy drink recipes, here are a few of my favorites.