Taste-Off: The best orange juices for that mimosa

All these holidays mean it’s mimosa time of year — which means it’s time to stock up on the OJ. Whether it’s served straight up, with a kick of Champagne or mixed with other juices, orange juice is a sweet, tangy gulp of deliciousness.

The options for store-bought orange juice are seemingly endless: pulp, no pulp, extra pulp; pasteurized or not, organic or not, fortified or not, concentrate or fresh-squeezed. The most expensive are made from fresh oranges grown in Florida, Mexico or Brazil. Some brands list the origin, others don’t. Where to begin?

For this taste test, we leaned toward fresh, organic juice with pulp, most of which are fortified with calcium and Vitamin D and sometimes other vitamins and minerals as well. When shopping for juice, be sure to check the best-by date. No one wants slimy orange juice.

The best bottled OJ tastes like a perfectly ripe, fresh-picked orange. It’s tart, sweet and so bright that it’s hard not to down the entire glass in one go. Bad bottled juice tastes old, cooked or bitter — or has off-flavors akin to chalk or, for whatever reason, gasoline.

Here’s the scoop on the juices that rival fresh-squeezed and those guaranteed to wreck the joy of a holiday mimosa or morning OJ. Nutrition info refers to an 8 ounce serving.

Barsotti Orange Juice

This Northern California juice is packed with orange goodness. It’s fresh, zesty and has the texture of fresh-pressed juice. 110 calories, 21 g sugar. $7.99 for 1/2 gallon at Whole Foods. (4 stars)

Florida’s Natural

A tangy kick of fresh orange makes this juice so similar to fresh-squeezed that it could fool even an OJ fanatic. 110 calories, 22 g sugar. $3.99 for 52 ounces at Lucky. (4 stars)

365 Whole Foods Organic Orange 100 percent Juice

Whole Foods gets it right with this zesty, balanced pour made from oranges grown in Mexico. This juice has concentrated flavor, making it a cut above good. 110 calories, 23 g sugar. $4.49 for 59 ounces. (3½ stars)

Lakewood Organic Pure Orange

This shelf-stable juice captures the sweet goodness of extra-ripe oranges. It’s light, and less tangy than some of its refrigerated competitors but perfect for those who love sweet-style juices. 120 calories, 22 g sugar. $4.99 for a quart at Whole Foods. (3½ stars)

Simply Orange

Found at nearly every grocery store — including Costco — this popular juice is entirely drinkable, but it’s a bit sour and watery in comparison to the top contenders. 110 calories, 23 g sugar. $3.99 for 52 ounces at Whole Foods. (3 stars)

Tropicana Orange Juice

Classic orange flavor and rich texture make this juice from Florida a good choice, but it lacks the freshness of the best juices on the shelf. 110 calories, 22 g sugar. $3.99 for 52 ounces at Whole Foods. (3 stars)

Sprouts 100 percent Orange Juice

Average is about all that can be said about this non-remarkable, but not off-putting juice. It would never be mistaken for fresh OJ. 110 calories, 22 g sugar. $3.29 for 52 ounces. (2½ stars)

Trader Joe’s 100 percent Organic Orange Juice

Those who like a touch of bitterness in their food may enjoy this bold Brazilian juice that has a big hit of orange peel. 110 calories, 23 g sugar. $2.99 for 52 ounces. (2 stars)

Good & Gather Premium 100 percent Orange Juice

Cooked orange flavor and a bit too much sugar make this Brazilian juice an acceptable, if less than delicious choice. 110 calories, 23 g sugar. $3.79 for 52 ounces at Target. (2 stars)

Minute Maid Original

This go-to brand is drinkable but it tastes like the generic, reconstituted juice that it is. It’s flat, sweet and boring. 110 calories, 24 g sugar. $3 for 59 ounces at Raley’s. (1½ stars)

Signature Select 100 percent Premium Orange Juice

A bitter hit of orange rind and a lack of acidity make for an unfortunate juice. 110 calories 22 g sugar. $3.49 for 52 ounces at Safeway. (1 star)

O Organics Organic Orange Juice

This juice from Mexico tastes like it was simmered on the stove for hours. It’s orange, but it doesn’t deserve the title of “orange juice.” 110 calories, 22 g sugar. $5.99 for 52 ounces at Safeway. (½ a star)

Sunnyside Farms Orange Juice

Flat, watery flavor that’s reminiscent of orange extract makes this juice from concentrate one to avoid. 110 calories, 24 g sugar. $3.99 for 1/2 gallon at Lucky. (½ a star)