Encourage guests to linger a little longer over brunch by serving any of these co*cktails that are just right for day drinking.
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Brunch is so much more than a meal to start the day—it's a chance to spend a little bit more time with family and friends, indulge in both sweet and savory dishes, and, of course, drink a delicious co*cktail. Here, we're sharing our year-round brunch co*cktail recipes that will start your day off on a spirited note. They're just the thing to pair with bacon and eggs, French toast, and so much more.
Brunch co*cktails tend to be lighter and brighter than happy hour mixed drinks, like the pitcher ready Strawberry-Ginger Smash pictured here. It's a fruity, effervescent sipper that combines fresh strawberries and ginger with lemon juice, ginger beer, and just a touch of vodka. Another fruity co*cktail that's a favorite at brunch is the Bellini. This two-ingredient drink is made with peach juice and sparkling wine.
Perhaps the most well-known brunch co*cktail recipe is the Bloody Mary. Made with horseradish, tomato juice, celery, hot sauce, and vodka, it's certainly not a drink for the faint of heart. Our version—Beet Bloody Marys—is an exciting twist on the spicy drink; it calls for pure beet juice for even richer red color and slightly sweet flavor.
If you need a bit of caffeine to get your morning going, try our Maple Irish Coffee. Yes, there's whiskey, but there's also irresistible notes of vanilla and maple, plus a cocoa-dusted dollop of whipped cream that's simply mouthwatering. Another option is to take a trip to a spot where it's always warm and sunny with our Coffee Coquito. Blend together a mixture of coconut milk, evaporated milk, condensed milk, rum, and cinnamon, then pour it all over iced espresso for the most delectable drink.
Ahead, more delicious co*cktail recipes that are guaranteed to make your next brunch one to remember.
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Orange-Mint Margarita
Who says the Margarita isn't a brunch drink? They obviously haven't tried our sparkling version. It's a longer drink that's topped off with seltzer. And as it's made in a pitcher rather than shaken, it's easy to mix up drinks for your entire brunch party in one go.
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Celery-Lime Gimlet
Looking for a less fruity, more tart brunch-ready co*cktail? Try this big batch take on the gin gimlet that's super refreshing thanks to the lime and the celery that's used to muddle the drink.
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Pomegranate-and-Pink-Grapefruit Punch
Punch up your brunch co*cktail offerings by serving this ombre concoction. Mix up the grapefruit-lychee mixture ahead of time in a pitcher, then drizzle the pomegranate syrup on top of each serving—it will sink to the bottom like grenadine in a tequila sunrise.
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Carrot-Juice Mimosas
There will be a skip in your step when you sip on this springtime beverage. Fresh carrot juice and orange juice are mixed together, then topped with Champagne for a crisp, bright orange twist on a mimosa.
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Bellini
It's not brunch without a Bellini made with fresh, ripe peaches! Of course, you could use prepared peach juice, but it's so much more delicious if you make it yourself.
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Beet Bloody Marys
Looking for a delicious twist on this classic brunch co*cktail? Try this inspired version that uses red beets, which add a rich hue and slightly sweet flavor to the spicy tomato-and-horseradish-based drink.
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Cranberry Champagne co*cktail
If you're hosting a brunch around the holidays, make use of leftover cranberry sauce in this festive co*cktail. It's a unique twist on a Kir Royale.
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Maple Irish Coffee
Start your morning off with a boozy brunch beverage that'll also wake you up. A sweetened version of a classic Irish coffee should do the trick. A combination of pure vanilla extract and maple syrup adds delicious, dessert-like flavor to strongly-brewed coffee.
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Michelada Beer co*cktail
There's tons of flavor in this brunch co*cktail thanks to minced chile, lime juice, tomato juice, and a fruity, refreshing lager beer. It's just the thing to drink on a hot summer day.
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Pimm's Cup
Enjoy this brunch co*cktail from across the pond whenever you're craving a cool, refreshing sip. It's made with Pimm's No. 1, a gin-based, herbal liqueur that is brightened with cucumber slices, fresh mint, strawberries, and lemon.
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Tom Collins
Looking for something light, bright, and totally delicious? Try this gin-based co*cktail for brunch, which is made with just four ingredients—the aforementioned gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and seltzer water.
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Coffee Coquito
Sweet, creamy, and caffeinated, this coffee-based brunch co*cktail will take you to the tropics. It's made with a trio of milk—coconut, evaporated, and sweetened condensed—plus rum, cinnamon, and, of course, espresso.
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Cherry Bounce
Make use of the bounty of fresh sour cherries, which are at their peak in June, in this two-ingredient rum co*cktail. The mixture should be made at least one week in advance, which saves prep time the morning of brunch.
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Habanero-Hibiscus Sour
This brunch co*cktail—made with pisco (a South American brandy), lime juice, and egg whites—packs in some serious heat first thing in the morning. A normally sweet simple syrup gets a seriously spicy kick from habanero chiles, and its pink color comes from dried hibiscus flowers.
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Victory Garden co*cktail
Have you ever seen a prettier brunch co*cktail than this one? A combination of whiskey and applejack brandy is shaken—not stirred—with lemon juice, orange bitters, and thyme-rosemary simple syrup.
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Guava Fresca with Mint and Ginger
Even if you're not brunching in the Caribbean, this co*cktail will transport you with just one sip. Sweet guava juice is mixed with fresh mint simple syrup, seltzer, and your choice of tequila or white rum.
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Tangerine-Rum Sidecar
Sip on this twist on a traditional cognac sidecar with dark rum, plus plenty of citrus flavor from triple sec, fresh tangerine juice, and fresh lemon juice. It's a brunch co*cktail that packs a punch.
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Gordon's Breakfast co*cktail
Seeking something savory and spicy that isn't a Bloody Mary? Look no further than the classic Gordon's Breakfast. Our version gets its heat from horseradish and homemade jalapeño syrup instead of the traditional bottled hot sauce.
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Morning Margarita
Swap out the usual tequila for lower-alcohol (and more brunch-friendly!) agave wine in this citrusy margarita.
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Hibiscus-Ginger Spritz
Aromatic hibiscus flowers and warming ginger are a perfect pairing in this refreshing fizzy drink. Try our other spritz flavors next: pineapple-cucumber and spicy grapefruit.
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Pineapple-Raspberry Bellini
If you don't want to shake co*cktails to order, try making a big batch of this French-inspired bellini. We'd suggest whipping up at least two pitchers—it disappears quickly.
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Coconut-Water Vodka co*cktail
Spike good-for-you coconut water with a little vodka—after all, it's brunch! Finish with an orange twist.
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Lillet Rosé Spring co*cktail
Grapefruit juice gives this shaken co*cktail its delicate pink hue. An edible flower garnish makes it elegant enough for the fanciest brunch.
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