For many across the UK, Christmas morning presents one of the few socially acceptable opportunities to enjoy a cocktail before noon. The classic mimosa, a blend of Champagne and orange juice, is a firm favourite, offering a semblance of virtue with its fruit content. This year, a clever culinary hack is making the rounds, promising to elevate your festive tipple with minimal effort, provided you plan ahead.
The Viral Festive Cocktail Hack
The ingenious method was shared on TikTok by Lyuda Rogers, who creates content under the name Grace-Filled Kitchen. Posted on the 24th of December 2025, her video, set to Andy Williams' 'It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year', demonstrates a visually stunning way to prepare mimosas. Rogers described the creation as "the perfect way to celebrate the festive season" and urged viewers to save the idea for holiday hosting.
The key lies in preparation the night before. Instead of simply pouring juice and fizz into a glass, the recipe involves creating beautiful, flavour-infused ice cubes. All you need is oranges, orange juice, an ice cube tray, and Champagne or sparkling wine. A rosemary sprig for garnish is optional but adds a festive touch.
How to Create Your Christmas Mimosas
The process is straightforward but yields impressive results. Follow these steps for a show-stopping Christmas brunch drink:
- Cut an orange in half and place it flat-side down. Slice it into semi-circles.
- Place three of these slices into each compartment of an ice cube tray, arranging them to resemble a rose.
- Carefully fill each cube with orange juice, ensuring parts of the orange slices remain visible above the liquid.
- Freeze the tray for six to eight hours, or overnight.
- On Christmas morning, place one or two of the decorative ice cubes in a glass and pour your Champagne or sparkling wine over the top.
- Add a sprig of rosemary for an aromatic garnish if desired.
Social Media Reaction: Praise and Practicality
The recipe garnered significant attention and nostalgia online. One commenter reflected, "Back in the 80’s my late mother had Christmas Day champagne brunches with mimosas. Beautiful." Others praised the concept for being "so festive" and a great idea for busy hosts wanting to add a special touch to a "crazy morning."
However, not all feedback was uncritical. Some users raised practical concerns about the large ice cubes. One asked, "Cute but wouldn’t the giant block of ice hit your face when you take a sip?" Another shared a less successful experience: "I did this last year, they looked cute but were miserable to drink. The ice took forever to melt... it just tasted like watery prosecco." A third questioned the need to freeze at all, suggesting simply mixing the ingredients.
In response, defenders clarified that the frozen cubes are primarily for decoration and chilling, advising, "Just add OJ and champagne. You don't have to wait for the frozen OJ to melt to drink." Another supporter retorted, "Goodness you’re a miserable bunch in the comments!! Do whatever you want - this is very cute and a fun lil Christmas drink."
Mimosa vs. Buck's Fizz: A Festive Distinction
The article also touched upon a common point of confusion among cocktail enthusiasts. While some claim a mimosa is identical to a Buck's Fizz, purists note a difference. Traditionally, a mimosa is made with a 50-50 ratio of Champagne to orange juice and is served over ice. In contrast, a Buck's Fizz typically uses a ratio of two parts alcohol to one part juice and is served without ice.
Whether you adhere strictly to tradition or prefer the decorative frozen version, this simple hack from Grace-Filled Kitchen offers a creative and photogenic way to kick off your Christmas Day celebrations. With just a bit of foresight on Christmas Eve, you can add a touch of effortless elegance to your morning toast.
