Best Summer Brunch Cocktails

Mother’s Day is prime time to step out for a few morning cocktails. The weather is beautiful, the produce is fresh, and the world seems a little bit brighter deep into spring. With the recent celebration as inspiration, here are five of the best summer brunch cocktails that may just start a new Sunday tradition for you in the weeks to come.

Bloody Mary

The Bloody Mary is an obvious and classic cocktail, however spring and summer vegetable stands give you the opportunity to spice things up a bit. A standard Bloody Mary is essentially alcoholic tomato vegetable soup. Try giving it a kick by adding habanero or swapping out the celery for some fresh green bell pepper and cilantro to give it a Latin spin. Try replacing your standard vodka with a more adventurous flavor such as Absolut Peppar or Cilantro Lime.

Mango Screwdriver

Screwdrivers make for a boozy citrus delight, but a jug of OJ can be overpriced with added sugar. Try juicing your own fresh oranges and adding fresh mango puree to bring your tropical dreams to life. Swap out the plain vodka for a vanilla or fruit flavor instead and blend it with ice for a refreshing summer freeze.

Iced Irish Coffee

The struggle to get your required daily caffeine intake is real, especially after a long night out. Cure the hangover craving with an iced or blended Irish coffee to start your day off right. Mix Jameson with a strong home made cold press espresso and top it with a splash of Bailey’s for some boozy latte decadence. Don’t forget the whipped cream!

Grapefruit Margarita

There is never a bad time for a margarita, but if you are wanting to makes things a bit more breakfast appropriate, try using fresh grapefruit juice in place of lime of sour mix. If you’re feeling frisky, add some chili powder, cayenne, or fresh jalapeno to the blender to bring an additional spicy brightness to the table. Don’t forget to put sugar on the rim to balance out the bitterness of the grapefruit!

Bourbon Sweet Tea

The early morning heat might leave you with a bit of southern nostalgia, even if you’ve never been to the south. Bourbon sweet tea is a delightful remedy to a hot summer day and is a fantastic adult alternative to morning drive-thru iced tea. Try replacing standard white sugar with an easy-to-make brown sugar simple syrup to give it that extra molasses southern charm.