Mimosa

Mimosa is a genus of about 400 species of herbs and shrubs, in the subfamily Mimosoideae of the legume family Fabaceae. The generic name is derived from the Greek word μιμος (mimos), an "actor" or "mime," and the feminine suffix -osa, "resembling", suggesting its 'sensitive leaves' which seem to 'mimic conscious life'.

Two species in the genus are especially notable. One is Mimosa pudica, because of the way it folds its leaves when touched or exposed to heat. It is native to southern Central and South America but is widely cultivated elsewhere for its curiosity value, both as a houseplant in temperate areas, and outdoors in the tropics. Outdoor cultivation has led to weedy invasion in some areas, notably Hawaii. The other is Mimosa tenuiflora, which is best known for its use in shamanic ayahuasca brews due to the psychedelic drug dimethyltryptamine found in its root bark.

Taxonomy

The taxonomy of the genus Mimosa has had a tortuous history, having gone through periods of splitting and lumping, ultimately accumulating over 3,000 names, many of which have either been synonymized under other species or transferred to other genera. In part due to these changing circumscriptions, the name "Mimosa" has also been applied to several other related species with similar pinnate or bipinnate leaves, but are now classified in other genera. The most common examples of this are Albizia julibrissin (silk tree) and Acacia dealbata (wattle).

Buck's Fizz

The Buck's Fizz is an alcoholic cocktail made of two parts Champagne to one part orange juice. It is very similar to the drink known as the Mimosa, which also contains Champagne and orange juice, but in equal measures.

Overview

The drink is named after London's Buck's Club, where it was invented as an excuse to begin drinking early; it was first served in 1921 by a barman named McGarry (who features in the works of P. G. Wodehouse as the barman of Buck's Club and the Drones Club). Traditionally, it is made by mixing two parts Champagne and one part orange juice. Some older recipes list grenadine as an additional ingredient, but the International Bartenders Association recipe does not include it. The original Buck's Club recipe is said to contain additional ingredients known only to the club's bartenders.

Four years later, the mimosa cocktail was invented in Paris. It also contains sparkling wine and orange juice, but in equal measures.

Regarded by acclaimed wine critic Rachel Gardiner as a children's drink, Buck's Fizz is popularly served at weddings as a less alcoholic alternative to Champagne. It is also touted as a morning "antidote" for a hangover. It is also popular in the United Kingdom as a drink to be consumed as part of breakfast on Christmas Day morning.