My golden rule when out as a party of two is, without question, always ask to sit at the bar. Whether you’re at a dive in your neighborhood or a five-star restaurant, never settle for that two-top table in the middle of the room. With that said, I was recently out with my mother over fall break. My dad was out of town, making us a party of two and making the possibilities for sitting at the bar endless.
In typical mother-daughter fashion, we obviously felt the need to try a trendy new Chicago restaurant for my favorite meal of the week: Sunday brunch. We decided to try Blue Door Kitchen, a seasonally-inspired, farm-to-table hotspot that opened in the past few months and has taken Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood by storm.
Seeing as my mother and I aren’t the most organized of people, we didn’t have a reservation, but we hoped for the best. Upon walking in, the host told us that we could wait 45 minutes for a table or he could seat us right away at the bar. I, without hesitation or conference with my mother, opted for the latter.
We were seated at the end of the bar, closest to the kitchen and adjacent to the drink pick-up area where the bartender places the finished cocktails and mixed drinks for the servers to then deliver to customers. Prime location.
After being in personal awe of the drink menu, my mom and I ordered virgin Bloody Mary’s—one green and red—which were absolutely amazing. Imagine tomatillo and jalepeño with cilantro and lime, and tomato and horseradish with cucumber, carrot, lemon, and lime. Unreal.
Midway through our meal, we watched as the bartender took a container of house-made sorbet out of the freezer and scooped it into a champagne flute. Then, the waiter picked up the drink and topped the sorbet off with champagne. Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.
We immediately asked the bartender, who my mom had quickly befriended, what drink had just graced us with its presence. The answer: the sorbet mimosa. My mom and I, completely inspired, pondered ordering one, but decided drinking in the early afternoon is something we should save for tailgates and beach vacations. Instead, we created our own rendition at home. So, inspired by Blue Door Kitchen, here is the sorbet mimosa recipe that will make your Sunday brunch feel fancy AF.
Sorbet Mimosa
Ingredients
Instructions
Place one scoop of sorbet into the bottom of a champagne flute or other festive glass.
Top it off with champagne or prosecco, and enjoy.
#SpoonTip: If you want a more classic mimosa flavor, use orange sorbet. Or, if you want a great Insta moment, buy a variety of sorbet flavors and literally taste the rainbow.
I highly recommend whipping out this recipe at your next brunch. Yes, all your friends will most definitely think you are on the verge of professional bartending, and you will feel bougie AF as you sip on this sorbet mimosa.
Try out this recipe at home or visit your friends at Northwestern and head into the city to try the real deal at Blue Door Kitchen. I promise, you won’t be disappointed.