Brunch is an event that has become increasingly popular in the United States.

Many times, these occasions include alcoholic beverages that go along with these breakfast and lunch foods. The most traditional drink has become the mimosa, which is simply orange juice and champagne. There are many more drinks that can be integrated into your brunch. These can even be incorporated to spice up Easter Sunday.

Unique Mimosas

Mimosas are most certainly the most common brunch drinks, but there can be plenty of ways to make them unique. Along with the typical champagne and orange juice, add pineapple juice and a pinch of finely grated ginger to create a spicy taste. You can also add any fruit to your mimosa for a different twist. Try this watermelon mimosa:

Ingredients

1 quarter of a large watermelon, peeled and cut in small pieces, about 5 cups of fruit
Juice from 6 large oranges, about 2 cups juice
1 bottle of chilled champagne, cava, prosecco or other sparkling wine
Sugar or honey to taste, based on sweetness of the fruit
Fresh mint to garnish

Instructions

Blend the watermelon chunks with the orange juice and sugar to taste until you have a smooth pure, strain if needed.Chill the watermelon orange mix in the refrigerator until ready to prepare the drinks.Pour the watermelon orange mix into champagne flutes, about half full.Add the champagne or other sparkling wine, pouring it gently to avoid from making a bubbly mess.Stir lightly and garnish with a fresh sprig of mint.

Beer

Beer drinkers may get some odd looks by drinking a bottle at brunch. But never fear, this raspberry beer cocktail has the best of both worlds, and goes perfectly with bacon and eggs.

Ingredients

1 cup of fresh raspberries or frozen

4 bottles of corona (12oz) beer, chilled

1 container frozen raspberry lemonade concentrate, thawed or pink lemonade

1/2 cup good quality vodka

 

Garnish

lemon slices, or raspberries

Wine

For the wine drinkers out there, a sangria is the perfect complement for a light afternoon meal. This blood orange blackberry sangria will taste fresh and delicious.

Ingredients

2 Cups sliced Strawberries
3 cups Blackberries
3 Blood Oranges, cut into wedges
1 Lemon, cut into 8 wedges
1 Lime, cut into 8 wedges
2 Cinnamon Sticks
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup Triple Sec
2 cups Sparkling Apple Cider
2 (750ml) bottles of Fruity Red Wine

Directions
In a large pitcher, toss in all of the strawberries, blackberries, oranges, lemon, lime, and cinnamon sticks.
Pour in the sugar followed by the triple sec, sparkling apple cider, and red wine. Stir a few times until the sugar is mostly dissolved.
Place it in the fridge 4-8 hours.

Spirits

In honor of Easter, make your typical cocktail festive with this Easter Basket cocktail.

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces Cherry Vodka

1/2 ounce Triple Sec

3 ounces Half and Half or Milk

Dash Grenadine

 

Decorate

Dye coconut shavings a pastel color with some food coloring. Rim some martini glasses with simple syrup and these shavings to create an Easter basket look. Garnish with a marshmallow peep for added effect.

For all of the alcohol in these recipes, head over to Julio’s Liquors in Westborough, MA. Whether you are celebrating Easter, or just putting together a spring brunch, find all of your supplies here.

What is your favorite part of brunch?