Suburban Homesteading – Frugal Living

Set your Mother’s Day celebration apart this year with something truly unique and beautiful—Tangerine Mimosas!

Nothing says “I Love You” better than a sweet, bubbly, pretty cocktail perfect for moms special Brunch.

I picked the last of the tangerines from my dwarf tree today.  It is by far the most productive fruit tree I have on my little suburban homestead, which always surprises me considering the little thing barely stands 4-feet tall.  Each fall it sets hundreds of sweetly scented white blossoms that turn into sweet, juicy tangerines months later, just in time to ward off the grey days of winter.

They provide a great source of vitamin C all winter long and remind us that spring is no too far off.  We usually eat them fresh as a snack or as a side fruit with lunch.  It’s not hard to eat a half dozen in one sitting…they’re that good!

This last pick wasn’t huge, about a two dozen, or so, fruits.  But, it WAS enough to mix up a refreshing batch of tangerine mimosas, and that’s what I decided to do with them.  Mimosas are such a festive way to spend a lingering afternoon in the sun, but sometimes the same old recipe gets boring.  Since mimosas are super easy to make, and very forgiving in the kind of juice you use, I decided to “mix things up” as it were and juice the tangerines instead of the standard orange juice.

And, boy was it delicious!  Light, sweet, refreshing…perfectly lovely.

Tangerine Mimosa Recipe

INGREDIENTS

3 cups fresh squeezed tangerine juice

1 bottle champagne, chilled (750ml)

Strips of tangerine peel for garnish

DIRECTIONS

Squeeze tangerines and place juice in the fridge for an hour or more to chill.

Divide tangerine juice evenly between 4 Champagne flutes.  Top with Champagne.  Slightly stir to blend and garnish with the strips of tangerine peel.  Serve immediately.  Makes 4 servings.

Cook’s Note:  Blood Oranges, Cara Cara Oranges or Ruby Red Grapefruit would be wonderful alternatives, as well.

Tangerines and Champagne…what a perfect combination for this Mother’s Day weekend!