Brunch cocktails have been a long-standing way to enjoy a relaxing mid-morning get-together. Whether it is a special occasion like a birthday or a bridal shower, or just to spend some time with friends and family, brunch cocktails are a popular way to celebrate.
Drinks in the morning?
Morning alcoholic drinks may sound a bit wild, but it is indeed a thing! Enjoying a cocktail or two with a delicious home-cooked meal is excellent - as long as it's done in moderation and does not become too much of a habit.
Having a drink early in the morning every day is not a good idea. Until we have a glass of water or two, our bodies are dehydrated. Sipping on a breakfast cocktail will have a more potent effect than a nightcap at the end of the day when we are more likely to be hydrated.
There is a myth about needing food in the system to curtail alcohol's effects, and there is some truth to this. Most food contains water, and that can help dilute the drink and its impact.
Caution: moderate your morning drinking!
Consuming one alcohol shot in the morning is probably not going to matter much, but there is undoubtedly a problem with starting every day off with a drink.
If having a drink in the morning becomes a habit, it may lead to dependency. Eventually, it could lead to more than just a shot. It is always best to start the day off with a glass of water so your body can begin to rehydrate. Alcohol has the opposite effect on the system.
It is best to enjoy your cocktails in the evening after your body has had a full day of eating and drinking water. Your system will be more prepared to handle the alcohol. However, there's nothing wrong with having brunch cocktails now and then, especially when they're tasty!
So, let's try out some of these brilliant brunch drink recipes, and make an occasion out of it!
Brunch cocktail recipes
Whether you're celebrating a birthday with an early cocktail lunch, a Mother's Day brunch, or if you have an engagement party, this selection of breakfast alcoholic drinks is perfect for any special occasion.
You can enjoy these tasty brunch cocktail recipes any time of the day, but they're great with a lengthy meal to lead you into the afternoon. These winning concoctions contain various fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables, spices and herbs, and fantastic flavors.
#1. Blood Orange Screwdrivers
From the dash of Aperol to the pour of blood orange juice to the kick of the vodka, this drink is one of the best morning cocktails that have a perfectly paired combination of bitterness and sweetness.
INGREDIENTS
- 12 oz. of vodka
- 2 oz. of Aperol
- 1 pint of blood orange juice (chilled)
- Ice
- Eight blood orange wheels (optional as a garnish)
DIRECTIONS
In a large pitcher, add the Aperol, blood orange juice, and vodka. Stir until mixed. Once mixed, pour into eight glasses (highballs work great) over ice. If you feel like making this drink look fancy, create decorative ice balls with an ice ball maker.
Garnish with the blood orange wheels, serve and enjoy!
#2. Pimm's Cup Royale
Pimm's Cup Royale was created at Holeman & Finch public house during a very "intense brunch service," as legend has it. Some newlyweds told the proprietor how much they loved Pimm's Cup's taste but needed to drink many to feel a bit tipsy during brunch.
In response, Holeman & Finch decided they would add cognac and peach liqueur to the drink, which settled any disputes about it not giving the guests a slight buzz. This somewhat dubious experiment resulted in one of the most incredible alcoholic breakfast drinks.
INGREDIENTS
- Ice
- 1 1/2 oz. of Pimm's No. 1
- 1/2 oz. of Cognac (VSOP)
- 1/2 tsp. Of Crème de Pêche (or any type of quality peach liqueur will do)
- 1 oz. of chilled lemonade
- A dash of Orange Bitters
- 3 1/2 oz. of chilled Champagne or any good dry sparkling wine
- One large basil sprig and a single cucumber spear
DIRECTIONS
Chill a Collins glass, then fill it with ice. Add in the Pimm’s, cognac, lemonade, Crème de Pêche and the bitters. Stir this mixture well. Add the Champagne or sparkling wine, and stir again. Garnish with the basil sprig and cucumber, serve and enjoy!
#3. Aviary's Bloody Mary
You can make this drink at any time throughout the year since it uses bottled tomato juice. However, you can take advantage of using fresh tomatoes as summer approaches.
The colorful cocktail ice cubes are a flavorful addition to this already tasty drink. As they melt, they also let out a ton of flavor that keeps the drink well-seasoned. See the recipe below for making the celery, Worcestershire, and chili ice cubes.
Each sip is something new and flavorful.
INGREDIENTS
- Celery, Fresno chili pepper, and Worcestershire sauce ice cubes (see the instructions below)
- 5 1/2 oz. of vodka
- 12 oz. of chilled tomato juice
- 3/4 oz. of simple syrup
- 1/2 tsp. Of salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper, celery ribs, and parsley sprigs as an optional garnish
DIRECTIONS
Chill two Collins glasses, add celery, chili pepper, and Worcestershire sauce ice cube to each glass. In a pitcher, add the vodka, tomato juice, simple syrup, and salt. Stir well, pour this mixture over the ice cubes, garnish the drinks with black pepper, celery, parsley, and serve and enjoy!
How to make the celery ice cubes:
- Use a juicer to extract the juice of two blanched celery ribs.
- Add a half teaspoon each of salt and sugar to the liquid.
- Stir this up well and freeze in an ice cube tray.
This makes four ice cubes.
How to make the Fresno chili ice cubes:
- Use a juicer to juice 2 Fresno chilies.
- Add 4 ounces of water to the chili juice.
- Stir well and freeze in an ice cube tray.
This makes four ice cubes.
How to make the Worcestershire ice cubes:
- Mix 2 ounces of Worcestershire sauce with 3 ounces of water.
- Stir the continents well and freeze in an ice cube tray.
This makes four ice cubes.
#4. Blood Peach Bellini
Originally named after the type of peaches used, this morning cocktail variation uses grenadine with white peach puree to simulate the very rare flavor and color of the blood peach. If you can find actual blood peaches, leave the grenadine out.
INGREDIENTS
- 4 oz. of chilled Prosecco
- 1/2 oz. of Campari
- 1 oz. of white peach puree
- 1/2 oz. of grenadine
DIRECTIONS
Gently stir all of the ingredients in a pint glass. Once the contents are thoroughly mixed, pour the mixture into a chilled champagne flute.
#5. Black Cherry Champagne Floats
This cocktail is a deliciously sweet blend of bubbly Champagne and the sweet and tart flavor of cherry. It is one of those brunch drinks best enjoyed in the summer.
INGREDIENTS
- 12 cherries (pitted and quartered)
- 6 tsp. of cherry liqueur
- 1 p. of vanilla ice cream
- 4 to 6 c. of Champagne
DIRECTIONS
Place the 24 pieces of the quartered cherries into the bottom of one glass. Pour two teaspoons of cherry liqueur on top of the cherries. Gently and slowly, put a large scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
To finalize the cocktail:
- Drizzle roughly one teaspoon of the cherry liqueur on top of the ice cream.
- Place another 2 to 4 additional scoops of the vanilla ice cream into your glass.
- Keep scooping the ice cream until it reaches the rim of your glass.
- Pour some champagne on top.
- Serve with a straw, but also include a cocktail spoon to get every last bit.
Enjoy!
Brunch, anyone?
Our brunch drink ideas combine the best of alcohol and fresh ingredients to create a ton of fresh flavor. Don't wait for the rooster to crow to try out these fun, exotic brunch cocktails. Start experimenting with making them today (they're great at any time of the day!)
These cocktails are some of the best morning drinks available. They're so delicious; there is no better reason to get a bunch of friends together and organize a brunch!