Brunch Cocktails: 33 Tasty Drink Recipes To Make At Home
The concept of brunch is simply delicious. It's the allure of sleeping in just late enough that it's too late for breakfast but too early for lunch. It evokes memories of lazy mornings on vacation or gathering with family on holidays. To us, it's the perfect time to indulge in a little lift with a brunch-time cocktail.
These beverages are best enjoyed with friends, so when selecting the perfect brunch cocktail for your gathering, it's essential to consider your audience. Some groups lean towards drinks with a bit of spice, while others prefer cocktails reminiscent of candy. From spicy sangria to classic mimosas, we're confident that whatever your crew's preference, there's a brunch cocktail to suit both the meal and the crowd. Plus, for you younger brunchers and for those who prefer not to drink, you could make many of these without alcohol for virgin versions of something just as delicious.
1. Mimosas For A Crowd
Mimosas are arguably the most iconic of all brunch beverages. Amidst the myriad variations of the classic formula, there's something special about sticking to the original.
When you're hosting a brunch for a crowd, preparing a large batch of mimosas can be a practical and tasty way to make sure everyone gets to savor this delightful concoction. It's as easy as blending sparkling wine, orange juice, and a touch of orange liqueur in your chosen pitcher.
Recipe: Mimosas For A Crowd
2. Espresso Martini Cocktail
If coffee-based drinks are more to your guests' liking, then an espresso martini could be the perfect choice. Few things rival the combination of coffee and alcohol in a cocktail, especially for a delightful morning occasion.
To prepare, you'll need a shaker. Combine vodka, coffee liqueur, simple syrup, and freshly brewed espresso. Shake well, then strain and pour into a martini glass. This concoction is sure to appeal to the iced coffee enthusiasts in your group.
Recipe: Espresso Martini Cocktail
3. Zesty Paloma Cocktail
For French gatherings that crave a bit more flair and a festive, party-like atmosphere, we're partial to this delightful twist on the Paloma. It offers a refreshing take on the classic recipe that we find absolutely delicious.
Start by combining tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and agave nectar directly in a glass. Give it a thorough stir to blend the flavors well before adding ice. A slice of lime serves as a beautiful garnish for this vibrant drink.
Recipe: Zesty Paloma Cocktail
4. Tried And True Bloody Mary
Bloody Mary enthusiasts agree that there's never a wrong time for a Bloody Mary, yet brunch feels particularly fitting. The beauty of a Bloody Mary lies in its simplicity; it doesn't need much embellishment to be delightful, making a basic version especially appealing.
To prepare, simply take your blender and add vodka and those unique flavors like Tabasco sauce, Worcester sauce, and tomato juice. Blend them thoroughly to achieve a smooth consistency that mixing and shaking can't replicate. To complete the presentation, garnish with celery sticks for a classic touch.
Recipe: Tried And True Bloody Mary
5. Pomegranate Gin Fizz Holiday Cocktail
If your brunch coincides with the holiday season, a Pomegranate Gin Fizz could be the perfect festive addition. This drink does call for a special ingredient — pomegranate molasses — which you might need to order online if it's not available locally.
Start by filling a glass with ice and adding pomegranate molasses, juice, and gin. Give everything a stir to chill and combine the flavors, then strain the mixture into your selected glasses. Top off each with prosecco to add a sparkling fizz.
6. Classic Mint Julep Cocktail
We firmly believe that homemade syrups offer the best quality and taste for your cocktails whenever possible. This one calls for your own mint syrup, which is simply a combination of fresh mint leaves, water, and sugar.
Once your syrup is ready, bring together ice, bourbon, and your homemade mint syrup. To elevate the minty flavor even further, add a few mint leaves as garnish on top. Gently bruise the leaves to release their oils and enhance the minty aroma of your drink.
Recipe: Classic Mint Julep Cocktail
7. Meyer Lemon Tom Collins Cocktail
Indeed, a classic Tom Collins cocktail comprises the essentials: simple syrup, lemon juice, club soda, and gin. However, for a twist that's less acidic and sweeter, Meyer lemons are an excellent choice.
Start by juicing Meyer lemons until you have about 2 ounces of juice. Then, in a shaker, add ice, gin, freshly juiced Meyer lemon juice, and simple syrup. Shake everything until it's very cold. Pour the mixture into a glass filled with ice and top it off with club soda.
Recipe: Meyer Lemon Tom Collins Cocktail
8. Tropical Painkiller Cocktail
If your gathering embraces a tropical theme, a Tropical Painkiller could be the ideal highlight. This drink is beloved for its unique twist — a sprinkle of nutmeg on top.
In a shaker, combine pineapple juice, your preferred dark rum, orange juice, and cream of coconut. It's crucial to shake the mixture vigorously to ensure the cream of coconut thoroughly blends with the other ingredients. Once well-mixed, strain the drink into your chosen glass filled with ice. The finishing touch — a dash of nutmeg on top — adds a distinctive flair.
Recipe: Tropical Painkiller Cocktail
9. Cranberry Orange Crush Cocktail
During the holiday season, cranberry truly takes center stage, especially when paired with orange juice; it's a match made in heaven. For those chilly brunch occasions, consider this vibrant option.
It's essentially a revitalized version of the classic vodka cranberry, combining vodka, orange liqueur, orange juice, and cranberry juice in a shaker. After giving it a good shake, strain the concoction into your festive glasses. For a decorative touch, skewer a row of cranberries on a toothpick and place it atop the drink or drop it inside for garnish.
Recipe: Cranberry Orange Crush Cocktail
10. Fresh Peach Bellini Cocktail
There's something irresistible about fresh peaches; they simply inspire creativity. If you find yourself with an abundance of these sweet fruits, why not transform them into a delightful brunch beverage?
Start by pureeing your peaches, honey, and lemon, and then strain them to collect the smooth, velvety liquid. Spoon this peach purée into the bottom of your selected Champagne flutes. Gently pour Prosecco over the purée, allowing the two to mix.
Recipe: Fresh Peach Bellini Cocktail
11. Refreshing Red Sangria
If you're unsure about what cocktail to whip up for your brunch, sangria is a fail-safe option. It's visually striking and tends to win over the crowd, even appealing to those who might not typically opt for wine.
Begin by incorporating orange juice, Grand Marnier, and sugar into a bottle of dry wine. There's no need to splurge on a high-end bottle, given all the flavorful additions. Next, introduce your fruit to the mix.
Recipe: Refreshing Red Sangria
12. Tequila Sunrise Cocktail
Aside from serving tasty beverages, presenting beautiful ones adds an extraordinary flair. This particular drink features distinct layers, making its assembly in the chosen glasses a part of its charm.
Begin by pouring orange juice and tequila over ice in your glass. Next, carefully add grenadine by pouring it over the back of a spoon or directly into the glass, allowing it to settle at the bottom, creating a beautiful layer. While stirring may be necessary before drinking to blend the flavors, ensure it's initially served in its layered state for that stunning visual impact.
Recipe: Tequila Sunrise Cocktail
13. Easy Lemon Drop Martini
If you or your guests are in the mood for something sophisticated yet playful, the Lemon Drop Martini is an excellent choice. Start by moistening the rim of your martini glass with a lemon wedge, then dip it in sugar to create a sweetened rim.
In a shaker, combine ice, vodka, simple syrup, Cointreau, and fresh lemon juice. Shake the mixture until the shaker feels cold to the touch. Then, strain and serve the cocktail in your sugar-rimmed glasses for an elegant drink.
Recipe: Easy Lemon Drop Martini
14. French 75 Cocktail
Champagne is a beloved base for many drinks, and for brunch attendees who also have a fondness for gin, this blend will be especially appealing. Plus, the preparation is quick and straightforward.
Shake freshly squeezed lemon juice, simple syrup, and either gin or cognac, depending on your preference, until thoroughly mixed. After shaking, pour the mixture into glasses and finish with a generous topping of Champagne or sparkling wine.
Recipe: French 75 Cocktail
15. Grilled Peach Mimosa Cocktail
If the classic fresh peach Bellini seems a bit too straightforward for your taste, elevating it with grilled peaches can add an intriguing twist. Begin by pitting and quartering your peaches, then grill them for a few minutes to impart a smoky sweetness.
After the peaches have been grilled and allowed to cool, combine them in a blender with fresh lemon juice and simple syrup, blending until the mixture is smooth. Strain the purée to ensure a silky texture, then distribute it into glasses. The final step is to top each glass with sparkling wine or Prosecco.
Recipe: Grilled Peach Mimosa Cocktail
16. Summer Strawberry Paloma Cocktail
During the peak of strawberry season, when strawberries abound in your garden or local orchard, transforming those strawberries into strawberry syrup can create a versatile and delicious ingredient. To make strawberry syrup, heat sliced strawberries with water and sugar in a saucepan, then strain the mixture and let it cool.
With your homemade syrup ready, combine tequila, strawberry syrup, and fresh lime juice in a shaker and shake vigorously to chill the concoction. Pour this flavorful blend into a glass and top it off with grapefruit soda for a refreshing and unique twist on the traditional Paloma.
17. Caprese Caesar Highball
Balsamic vinegar replaces the classic Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco for a creative take on the Canadian Caesar. This variation will surely be a hit with Bloody Mary aficionados at your brunch.
Begin by gently muddling basil with balsamic vinegar in the bottom of your glass to marry the flavors. Next, pour in vodka and clamato juice, stirring well to ensure everything is well mixed. Top the concoction with a splash of sparkling water to add a bit of effervescence. As a final touch, garnish with a skewer adorned with basil leaves, mozzarella balls, and a ribbon of prosciutto.
Recipe: Caprese Caesar Highball
18. Super-Garnished Michelada
The Michelada elevates the art of garnished tomato-based cocktails, surpassing the Caesar with its elaborate presentation. Prepare a zesty rim by moistening the edge with lime juice, then dipping them in Tajín seasoning for a zestful edge.
Mix clamato juice with your preferred enhancements — like soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, or a blend of all for a rich taste. Pour a Corona over the mix, ensuring room for garnishes without causing an overflow. Embellish with an assortment of garnishes like shrimp, celery, pineapple, and olives, making the Michelada a beverage and a visual and culinary delight.
Recipe: Super-Garnished Michelada
19. Basil Meyer Lemon Vodka Collins
Create a unique twist on a traditional Collins by starting with homemade basil simple syrup. This involves simmering sugar, water, and fresh basil leaves together, then straining out the leaves once the mixture has cooled.
To assemble the drink, combine vodka, fresh lemon juice, and the basil simple syrup in a glass filled with ice. Top the concoction with club soda and add a few lemon slices as a garnish for an extra touch of freshness and visual appeal.
Recipe: Basil Meyer Lemon Vodka Collins
20. The Painkiller Slushie
While the traditional Painkiller is typically served on the rocks, turning it into a slushie allows for a playful twist with layered colors for added visual delight. This is achieved by blending your mix twice.
Start by blending most of the cocktail ingredients until smooth and pour half of this mixture into a large glass before taking the remaining half and blending it further with grenadine to achieve a vibrant pink hue. Layer this pink mixture on top of the first layer in your glass. Finish by sprinkling nutmeg and adding fruit garnishes.
Recipe: The Painkiller Slushie
21. Summery Watermelon Sangria
Starting with the perfect preparation of fruit enhances the flavor profile of your Sangria. Kick off the process by macerating sliced peaches and blackberries. This involves tossing them in a bowl with sugar and Grand Marnier, allowing the fruits to soften and release their natural juices, sweetening the sangria.
As the fruit macerates, blend up some fresh watermelon until smooth. Once your macerated fruits are ready, combine them in a large pitcher with the blended watermelon. For an extra kick, add vodka, followed by a generous pour of sauvignon blanc.
Recipe: Summery Watermelon Sangria
22. Peach Jalapeño Sangria
For those moments when a regular sangria just doesn't cut it, and you're seeking a twist with a bit of heat, whip up a batch of Peach Jalapeño Sangria for your brunch crew. This version combines the kick of jalapeño with the sweetness of peaches, resulting in a fascinatingly complex beverage.
As with any sangria, prepare your peaches or other desired fruits, giving them a thorough muddle to release their flavors. Add dry vermouth, white wine, triple sec, fresh or store-bought orange juice, lime juice, and peach nectar to this fruity base. For the jalapeño's heat, vigorously shake slices of jalapeño with peach nectar in a shaker to unleash the peppers' spiciness, then create a sachet of the jalapeño and allow it to steep in your sangria for at least 10 minutes.
Recipe: Peach Jalapeño Sangria
23. Floral White Wine Sangria
If the idea of spiciness doesn't appeal to you and you're drawn to something with a more floral essence, sangria still presents a perfect choice. This particular recipe also features peach as a fundamental ingredient but leaves out the jalapeños.
To start, slice peaches and oranges into pleasing rounds. Then, in a pitcher, mix together white wine, brandy, and elderflower cordial, making sure to stir well to combine all the flavors. Add the sliced fruit and some mint leaves into the mix for a refreshing, herby touch. Finish by pouring in carbonated lemonade, giving the sangria a delightful fizz.
Recipe: Floral White Wine Sangria
24. Luscious Black Forest Coffee
It might be tricky to have your cake and eat it too, but nobody said you couldn't drink your cake. Taking a unique twist on a coffee liqueur drink, imagine combining the rich flavors of a Black Forest cake with the boldness of coffee in a drink that will have your guests eagerly asking about your next brunch event.
For this sweet cocktail creation, top your mugs with a sugar ring. Then, mix in Kirsch and crème de cacao directly into your mug, along with freshly brewed coffee and a dash of cherry syrup from a jar of maraschino cherries you can pick up at any grocery store.
Recipe: Luscious Black Forest Coffee
25. Bright And Floral French Blonde Cocktail
When it comes to cocktails, the inclusion of elderflower liqueur almost always catches our interest. For a Taylor Swift-themed brunch, considering the French Blonde is one of her favored drinks, a bright and floral French Blonde cocktail could be the ideal choice.
This delightful concoction is easily assembled in your shaker. Combine gin, elderflower liqueur, Lillet Blanc, grapefruit juice, and a dash of citrus bitters over ice. Shake it vigorously until it's very cold, then strain it into a glass and garnish with grapefruit.
26. Upgraded Honey Deuce Punch
We love layered drinks, and with unexpected flavors to boot, this one is an absolute winner in our book. You'll need to start off by preparing a couple of melon balls, and even though honeydew melon isn't everyone's favorite melon of choice, we quite like how it accents this drink.
Use the rest of your honeydew in a blender and give it some good blending before pouring some of that purée over ice in a glass. Add lemonade on top, and then, for the liquor, pour in some Chambord, which will layer right on top of the drink. Those melon balls go on top of a toothpick as garnish.
Recipe: Upgraded Honey Deuce Punch
27. Strawberry Spritz Sangria
If you're looking to save a little time in your brunch preparation, this Strawberry Spritz might help you do just that. It's always a helpful trick to prep items the evening before a big meal, even if they are cocktails.
The evening before you plan to serve, slice up your strawberries and muddle them together with Campari, then store them in your refrigerator. Then, when it's time to serve, simply add your wine right on top of your macerated strawberries with Campari and strain the drink into your glasses for serving.
Recipe: Strawberry Spritz Sangria
28. Classic French 95
If you've never heard of a French 95, don't worry; it's simply a French 75 but with the addition of bourbon. If your brunch guests tend to prefer bourbon over gin, we highly recommend this variation.
Start by making homemade simple syrup, then juice some lemons and add the fresh lemon juice to a shaker along with the simple syrup and bourbon. After adding ice, shake the mixture until it is very icy cold, then strain it into your serving glass, leaving space to top it off with Prosecco right on top.
Recipe: Classic French 95
29. Hot Milk Punch Drink
Hot drinks are a little less common, but if you're enjoying brunch surrounded by snow, Hot Milk Punch will soothe you right to your bones. With a combination of brandy and rum, this is definitely a crowd-pleaser.
To prepare, heat half-and-half and brown sugar in a saucepan over the stove, stirring until it becomes frothy. Then, add in your alcohol before pouring the mixture into coffee mugs. To finish, sprinkle warm spices like cinnamon or nutmeg on top for an extra cozy touch.
Recipe: Hot Milk Punch Drink
30. Refreshing Mojito Cocktail
For a drink that will whisk your guests away from reality for a moment and transport them to a tropical paradise, serve up some Simple Mojitos. This cocktail's vibrant combination of flavors is perfect for adding a little brightness to your morning brunch.
To craft these refreshing beverages, we prefer to start by making our own mint simple syrup. Combine sugar, water, and mint leaves on the stove until the sugar dissolves and the mint infuses the syrup with its fresh flavor. Then, in a glass, muddle some mint leaves with the syrup before adding white rum, fresh lime juice, and a splash of club soda.
Recipe: Refreshing Mojito Cocktail
31. Minty Mango Mojito Cocktail
The Mojito is delicious on its own, but giving it a fruity spin might make it even better. We love adding mango to the mix because it gives it that perfect tropical feel.
Just like with the original Mojito, start by muddling together your mint. Then, add your simple syrup, rum, mango nectar, and fresh lime juice, and stir it all well. Finish it off by pouring in your club soda to add that refreshing fizz.
Recipe: Minty Mango Mojito Cocktail
32. Spiced Ranch Water Cocktail
We adore Spiced Ranch Water's simplicity, making it a perfect addition to any brunch spread. If you happen to have Topo Chico chilling in your fridge, you're just a few steps away from whipping up this refreshing concoction.
To start, rim your glasses with Tajin seasoning by first wetting the rim with lime and then coating it with the Tajin. This drink comes together right in the glass, so there is no need to shake it. Begin by adding ice, followed by your tequila and fresh lime juice. Finally, top it all off with Topo Chico and a splash of simple syrup.
Recipe: Spiced Ranch Water Cocktail
33. Summertime Peach Whiskey Smash
Planning for a gathering can indeed be stressful, so any opportunity to ease that pressure in the preparation process is highly recommended. As the name suggests, this cocktail begins with smashing.
Peaches will be the target of your aggression here as you smash and pummel them to release their juices, along with lemon and syrup. Once you've created your fruity mash, add ice and pour in Grand Marnier and bourbon, giving it all a good stir to chill and mix everything thoroughly. Finally, strain this flavorful liquid over ice into your serving glasses.
Recipe: Summertime Peach Whiskey Smash