Whether Mom prefers to dine reclining pillow-side in pajamas or beside a beautifully dressed table, she’ll appreciate an elegant, elevated cocktail to make her brunch menu extra special. So while she’s indulging in a few extra pieces of bacon, savoring bites of flaky quiche and luxuriating over berry and whipped cream-topped pancakes, impress her with one of these three morning-friendly mixes.
Gin & Jam
A simple ingredient drink unites the botanical complexity of gin with the rich sweetness of your favorite jam.
Ingredients
2 ounces gin
1 ounce lemon juice
1/2 ounce simple syrup
1 teaspoon raspberry (or your favorite) jam
Spoonful of jam for garnish
Instructions
Step 1
Add the gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and jam to your mixing glass.
Step 2
Add ice and shake for 10 seconds.
Step 3
Strain into a double old-fashioned glass over crushed ice.
Step 4
Top with a spoonful of jam and stir it in while you sip.
Margarita Mimosas
Sweet and tart combined with classic champagne bubbles make for the perfect brunch accompaniment.
Ingredients
2 cups orange juice
1/2 cup tequila
1/4 cup lime juice
Lime wedge, for rimming glasses
Coarse salt, for rimming glasses
1 bottle champagne or Prosecco
Orange and lime slices for serving
Instructions
Step 1
In a pitcher, combine orange juice, tequila and lime juice and stir to combine.
Step 2
Line glass rims with lime and dip in salt. Pour in orange juice mixture and top off with champagne.
Step 3
Add sliced oranges and limes to glasses and serve.
Spiked Basil Lemonade
This refreshing twist on a springtime favorite is enhanced with the sweetness of basil and turns the spirit a vibrant green.
Ingredients
9 large basil leaves, divided
4 ounces vodka
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup lemonade
Ice
Seltzer
Lemon slices, for garnish
Instructions
Step 1
Infuse vodka: Tear five basil leaves into small pieces and place into a small glass jar with vodka. Seal tightly and shake, refrigerate, then infuse for at least six hours, shaking the jar occasionally.
Step 2
Make basil sugar: In a small food processor, combine sugar and remaining basil. Pulse until basil is chopped into small, uniform pieces and sugar is pale green.
Step 3
Strain vodka into a glass measuring cup, squeezing basil leaves to release any remaining liquid.
Step 4
Rim glasses: Pour basil sugar onto a small, shallow plate. Fill another shallow plate with water until a quarter-inch deep. Dip the rim of each glass first in water, then in basil sugar.
Step 5
Assemble cocktail: Divide basil vodka between glasses, then add half-cup lemonade to each. Fill glasses with ice cubes and top with seltzer. Garnish with lemon slices.
