Toast-Worthy Brunch Cocktails

Updated September 03, 2009
Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Amy Burke

Take a mid-morning sip of a light and delicious beverage that makes getting out of bed worthwhile.

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Watermelon Bellinis

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Watermelon Bellinis Recipe

This drink is a twist on the classic Bellini, a post–World War II cocktail of white peach puree and Champagne, first mixed at Harry's Bar in Venice. Freezing the watermelon before pureeing lends the drink a slightly slushy consistency. If you prefer a smoother texture, simply chill the watermelon. Serve in Champagne flutes.

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Fresh-Cranberry Mimosas

Credit: Leigh Beisch; Styling: Sara Slavin

Fresh-Cranberry Mimosas Recipe

Your guests will love it when you greet them at the door with one of these refreshing cocktails.

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Blood Orange Mimosas

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower/Claire Spollen

Blood Orange Mimosas Recipe

We love the color blood oranges give this classic brunch cocktail. A dash of bitters adds depth. Look for orange bitters--such as Fee Brothers or Stirrings--at liquor stores or specialty grocers. ­The sugar cube dissolves as you sip, balancing the bitters and giving off bubbles for a festive touch. Juice the oranges and keep chilled up to a day ahead.

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Peach-Raspberry Tequila Sunrise

Credit: Yunhee Kim; Styling: Denise Canter

Peach-Raspberry Tequila Sunrise Recipe

Make this vibrant and beautiful twist on a tequila sunrise, using peaches and raspberries. If you can't get your hands on fresh fruit, frozen will do just fine.

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Sparkling Cranberry Blush

Credit: Howard L. Puckett; Styling: Cindy Manning Barr

Sparkling Cranberry Blush Recipe

Light and bubbly Champagne adds a festive fizz to vibrant mixture of cranberry juice cocktail and thawed lemonade concentrate. Add the bubbly just before serving.

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Sparkling Elderflower Lemonade

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Sparkling Elderflower Lemonade Recipe

Serve this sparkling lemonade at brunch for the perfect, thirst-quenching cocktail. Elderflower liqueur is sweet, delicate, and floral, like nectar from a spring bouquet.

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Seaside Sunrise

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Stylist: Linda Hirst

Seaside Sunrise Recipe

Blend bright juices and passion fruit rum, and then top with bubbly for a tropical twist on a mimosa.

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Bloody Mary Punch

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck

Bloody Mary Punch Recipe

When your guest list includes some that like it spiked and some that like it smooth, serve optional shots of vodka on the side of the already-mixed cocktail, and let guests add it or not.

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Raspberry-Orange Sunrises

Credit: Randy Mayor; Mary Catherine Muir

Raspberry-Orange Sunrises Recipe

Semisweet sparkling wine takes the lead role in this fresh morning cocktail. Mix with orange juice and add raspberries and orange slices for extra flavor and fun adornment.

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Mint Bellinis

Mint Bellinis Recipe

Pear, lemon, and mint give this luscious cocktail a bright, fresh, a memorable flavor.

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Mixed Berry Bellinis

Mixed Berry Bellinis Recipe

This alcohol-free brunch drink looks gorgeous on display and is the perfect sweet foil to a heavy breakfast menu. The recipe calls for frozen mixed berries, making it a budget-friendly cocktail for anytime of year.

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Bourbon and Blood Orange Blast

Credit: Francesco Lagnese

Bourbon and Blood Orange Blast Recipe

Introduce a nontraditional cocktail recipe to the brunch table with this bourbon-infused drink. Fresh mint adds a fragrant note, while turbinado sugar adds festive sparkle.

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Brandy Slush

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Rose Nguyen

Brandy Slush Recipe

Save this recipe for the next time you're having a crowd over for a weekend party. It makes a big batch, but it also keeps well in the freezer for up to three months, so it's easy to enjoy on short notice.

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Red Roosters

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Melanie Clarke

Red Roosters Recipe

Choose a cocktail with a name that's guaranteed to rouse your brunch guests to a festive toast. Cranberry juice, orange juice, and vodka are the only ingredients you need. Make this cocktail ahead, or try the freeze-ahead slushy suggestions, if you dare.

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Champagne Pomegranate Cocktail

Credit: Randy Mayor

Champagne Pomegranate Cocktail Recipe

In the tradition of sparkling libations like the Buck's fizz and Bellini, this cocktail starts with Champagne and fruit juice.

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Blushing Mimosas

Credit: Ralph Anderson; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

Blushing Mimosas Recipe

Update the classic mimosa by adding a splash of grenadine, a sweet, ruby-red pomegranate-flavored syrup. The pineapple juice gives the overall flavor combination a tart boost.

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Sparkling Ginger-Orange Cocktails

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Amy Burke

Sparkling Ginger-Orange Cocktails Recipe

This elegant play on the classic mimosa will be a bubbly, tropical start to your brunch.

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