Poor Man`s Mommosa

The Poor Man`s Mommosa is a no-frills, low-effort take on a Mimosa, swapping sparkling wine for beer. It hits the spot for brunch duty when you need something light, fruity, and sessionable without the fuss or cost of champagne. Expect this in a dive bar, at a casual backyard BBQ, or anywhere you need a cheap, cheerful hair of the dog. It's for the crowd who appreciates simple pleasures.

Poor Man`s Mommosa

4.35 from 20 votes

Calories: 104kcal

Prep Time: 3

Total Time: 5

Ingredients

▢ 4 oz Bitter Beer
▢ 4 oz Orange Juice

Instructions

▢
Pour beer into a highball glass. Add orange juice. to taste. and serve.

Estimated Nutrition:

Calories: 104kcal (5%)Carbohydrates: 13g (4%)Sugar: 12g (13%)

Where it came from

The Poor Man`s Mommosa doesn’t have a specific origin story or a named inventor. It’s more of a folk cocktail, likely born out of necessity or frugality when sparkling wine wasn’t available or affordable. This kind of beer and juice mix has been around in various forms for decades, often appearing in casual settings during the daytime.

This drink falls squarely into the Radler or Shandy family, which are essentially beer cocktails lightened with fruit juice or soda. Relatives include the traditional Radler (beer and lemonade) or a Michelada (beer, lime, spices). The Poor Man`s Mommosa differentiates itself by specifically using orange juice and mimicking the Mimosa’s fruit profile, but with beer’s body and bitterness.

You’d find this concoction at a budget friendly brunch, a tailgate party, or a home gathering where the goal is a refreshing drink without pretension. It's perfect for those lazy weekend mornings when you want a little something extra in your beer but don’t want to break out the fancy bottles.

What it tastes like

The taste opens with the bright, citrusy acidity of orange juice, quickly followed by the distinct malty and hoppy notes of the bitter beer. Mid-palate, the sweetness of the orange juice balances the beer’s bitterness, creating a surprisingly harmonious blend. The finish is clean and refreshing, leaving a subtle, lingering bitterness from the hops.

Assuming a 5% ABV bitter beer, a 4 oz pour contributes about 0.2 oz of pure alcohol. Since orange juice is non-alcoholic, the total alcohol content is roughly 0.2 oz in an 8 oz drink, making its overall ABV around 2.5%. This is half the strength of a typical beer and significantly lighter than most standard cocktails, making it a very sessionable option.

The technique

Building this drink is about as straightforward as it gets. Start by pouring the chilled bitter beer into a highball glass. Follow that with an equal measure of cold orange juice. Give it a gentle stir, just enough to combine the two liquids without knocking out all the beer’s carbonation. Serve it up immediately, no frills, no garnish needed unless you’re feeling fancy.

The key technique for any beer cocktail like this is to pour the beer first, then add the juice. This allows the juice to settle into the beer without creating an excessive foamy head, which can happen if you pour carbonated liquid onto juice. It ensures a more consistent mix and a cleaner presentation.

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Ingredient Spotlight

The bottles that make or break this drink.

Bitter Beer

Use: A crisp IPA, a pale ale, or even a pilsner with a noticeable hop character. Think Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Lagunitas IPA, or a classic Heineken. The bitterness provides a crucial counterpoint to the orange juice’s sweetness.
Skip: Dark stouts, overly sweet fruit beers, or extremely light lagers. A stout will overpower the orange, a sweet beer will make it cloying, and a light lager won’t provide enough backbone.
Why: The “bitter” aspect of the beer is essential here. It cuts through the sweetness of the orange juice and adds complexity, preventing the drink from becoming one dimensionally sweet. It’s what differentiates this from just mixing juice with any old beer.

Orange Juice

Use: Freshly squeezed orange juice is always best for brightness and natural sweetness. If bottled, opt for 100% pure orange juice, pulp-free or with light pulp, not from concentrate if possible.
Skip: Orange juice blends with added sugars, artificial sweeteners, or “orange drink” products. These will make the cocktail sickly sweet or give it an artificial taste.
Why: Orange juice provides the signature citrus flavour and sweetness that mimics a Mimosa. Its acidity also helps balance the beer’s bitterness, creating a refreshing and palatable drink. Quality juice makes a noticeable difference.

Three Variations

Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.

Poor Man`s Grapefruit

Use a tart citrus.: Swap the orange juice for grapefruit juice for a tarter, more bracing version. It pairs exceptionally well with hoppy beers.

Poor Man`s Shandy

A lemon twist.: Substitute the orange juice with lemonade for a classic Shandy profile, offering a brighter, more zesty flavour.

Spicy Mommosa

Give it a kick.: Add a dash of hot sauce or a few dashes of a spicy bitters like Hellfire to the mix for a surprising, savoury twist.

What if I don't have…

Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.

No Bitter Beer?

Use any light lager or pilsner you have on hand, but expect a less complex flavour profile. A cider could also work for a different, apple-forward taste.

No Orange Juice?

Lemonade or grapefruit juice are excellent substitutes, changing the flavour profile but keeping the refreshing spirit.

No Highball Glass?

Any tall glass will do the trick. A pint glass or even a large mug works perfectly fine for this casual drink.

No Fresh Orange?

A wedge of orange, lemon, or lime can be added for a simple garnish and a hint of extra aroma.

Frequently Asked Questions

Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.

What is in a Poor Man`s Mommosa?

A Poor Man`s Mommosa contains 4 oz of bitter beer and 4 oz of orange juice, typically served in a highball glass.

What kind of beer is best for a Poor Man`s Mommosa?

A bitter beer like an IPA, pale ale, or a crisp pilsner works best. The hop bitterness provides a good contrast to the orange juice.

Is a Poor Man`s Mommosa alcoholic?

Yes, it is alcoholic. Its ABV is typically around 2.5%, depending on the beer used, making it a very light drink.

What is the difference between a Mimosa and a Poor Man`s Mommosa?

A Mimosa uses sparkling wine, usually champagne or prosecco, mixed with orange juice. A Poor Man`s Mommosa uses bitter beer instead of sparkling wine.

Is this drink sweet or bitter?

It’s a balance of both. The orange juice brings sweetness and acidity, while the bitter beer provides a counterpoint of bitterness, resulting in a refreshing taste.

Can I make a batch of Poor Man`s Mommosa?

You can pre-chill the beer and juice, but it’s best to mix them fresh per serving to maintain carbonation and flavour.

What’s a good time to serve a Poor Man`s Mommosa?

It’s ideal for brunch, daytime gatherings, backyard BBQs, or any casual occasion where a light, refreshing, and easy drinking cocktail is desired.

Do I need a garnish for a Poor Man`s Mommosa?

Not really, it’s a no-frills drink. If you want, a simple orange slice or wedge is perfectly acceptable.

From the Drink Lab catalogue

Drink Lab has been collecting cocktail recipes since 2013. Some we wrote ourselves, plenty came in from readers, and the rest got passed across a bar somewhere along the way.

Last updated May 8, 2026 · 1 min read