Brunch Cocktails That Start the Day with a Bang

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The best meal of the week isn’t complete without a tasty drink or two. Discover more than a dozen brunch cocktails that will start your day with a bang.

Creole Bloody Mary at Brennans in New Orleans — Image: ©2foodtrippers

Everybody loves brunch. A leisurely meal that combines breakfast and lunch, the best meal of the week features tasty dishes like pancakes, waffles and french toast. And, while drinking cocktails at breakfast may seem wrong, the opposite is true about brunch. In fact, it almost seems wrong to not sip a tasty beverage especially during weekend brunches, holiday brunches and celebratory brunches.

Fun Fact: Some believe that brunch originated in 19th century London. It then jumped the pond to America in 20th century and is currently a global phenomenon.

But what are the best cocktails to serve with brunch at home? Essentially, it depends on your mood and what you’re craving. Some popular brunch cocktails are fruity and fun while others are savory and sophisticated. Then there are caffeinated cocktails that provide a double whammy of boozy stimulation. The best way to find your personal favorite is to try them all.

16 Awesome Brunch Cocktails

Mimosa Close Up with Pink Polka Dot Background

1. Mimosa

While there's nothing wrong with sipping a traditional Mimosa during brunch, adding a splash of Cointreau makes the classic cocktail even better. Whether you're dining solo or hosting a Sunday gathering, it's a smart way to go.

Mimosa Recipe

2. Bloody Mary

Discover the pleasures of drinking a Bloody Mary at home. Easy to craft despite its laundry list of ingredients, the iconic brunch cocktail's zesty flavors will make your taste buds sing with delight.

Bloody Mary Recipe

3. Bellini

The Bellini cocktail may be the most delightful brunch cocktail of them all. With just two ingredients (peach purée and Prosecco), it's easy to craft. It's also bubbly, sweet and peachy. Plus, it's pleasantly pink. And who doesn't like pink cocktails?

Bellini Recipe

4. Espresso Negroni

The simple addition of espresso to the classic Negroni creates an ideal brunch cocktail. Easy to craft and satisfying to drink, the Espresso Negroni will perk you up and make you smile with its bitter, bold and beautiful flavors.

Espresso Negroni Recipe

Tequila Sunrise with White Background from Above with Straw

5. Tequila Sunrise

This Tequila Sunrise recipe is so easy to craft that you'll be sipping the tasty tequila tipple at brunch in no time. Therefore, there's no rush to actually get out of bed before the sun rises.

Tequila Sunrise Recipe

Crafted Corpse Reviver No. 2 Cocktail Centered

6. Corpse Reviver No. 2

The Corpse Reviver No. 2 tastes like a dream despite its nightmare-inducing name. There's no need to dread this drink that was originally crafted with gin to be a 'hair of the dog' cocktail.

Corpse Reviver No. 2 Recipe

7. Irish Coffee

Surprisingly easy to craft at home, the boozy caffeinated beverage will wake you up (or keep you up) and make you happy after just a few sips.

Irish Coffee Recipe

8. Screwdriver

The Screwdriver is proof that a cocktail doesn't have to be complicated to taste great. Learn how to craft the brunch beverage at home with just two ingredients plus ice.

Screwdriver Recipe

Bourbon Milk Punch from Above with Pink Background

9. Milk Punch

Milk Punch is a decadent New Orleans cocktail that's ideal to serve with brunch or any time when you want the good times to roll. It's creamy, dreamy and delicious.

Milk Punch Recipe

10. Maple Bourbon Smash

Sweet and boozy, the Maple Bourbon Smash is ideal to pair with brunch or sip at night by the fire. It's also a bourbon bombshell!

Maple Bourbon Smash Recipe

11. Espresso Martini

Crafted with two liquors and a shot of espresso, the Espresso Martini may be the buzziest cocktail of them all. In other words, it's a brunchtime hero.

Espresso Martini Recipe

Garibaldi Cocktail with Straw and Black Background

12. Garibaldi

The Garibaldi is a sophisticated Italian cocktail that's crafted with just two ingredients. Since those two ingredients are orange juice and Campari, it's an ideal brunchtime beverage.

Garibaldi Recipe

13. Bloody Caesar

Canada's Bloody Caesar is a delicious brunch drink whether you sip the tasty tipple in the Great White North or elsewhere. It's also the most famous vodka cocktail that's crafted with Clamato juice.

Bloody Caesar Recipe

Pouring Sparkling Wine into French 75 Cocktail

14. French 75

The French 75 is an elegant cocktail that you can enjoy as an aperitivo with nuts or with a cheese plate. You can also pair the sparkling French cocktail with eggs benedict or waffles for a ramped-up brunch.

French 75 Recipe

15. Aperol Spritz

Although the Aperol Spritz was originally imbibed during Italian aperitivo sessions, it's now enjoyed any time of the day from brunch to late at night. It's a cocktail classic!

Aperol Spritz Recipe

Paloma Cocktail with Pink Background from Above

16. Paloma

Although the Paloma tastes like summer in a glass, the refreshing tequila tipple is simultaneously sweet, sour and salty regardless of the season. And, since graprefruit juice is a key Paloma ingredient, it's also an excellent brunchtime beverage.

Paloma Recipe

Espresso Tonic with White Background Close Up

Bonus Beverage Without Alcohol – Espresso Tonic

The espresso tonic will cool you down and pump you up at the same time. It's ideal for brunch when you want a jolt instead of a buzz.

Espresso Tonic Recipe

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

What is brunch?

Brunch is a mid-day meal that combines breakfast and lunch. Many people consider it to be the best meal of the week.

What are brunch cocktails?

Brunch cocktails are drinks that complement the mid-day meal. Far from a one trick pony, they can be either sweet or savory. Some brunch cocktail include a caffeinated shot of coffee or espresso.

What are the most iconic brunch cocktail?

Two cocktails rule the roost when it comes to brunch cocktail greatness. The Mimosa is the most iconic sweet brunch cocktail while the Bloody Mary is the most iconic savory brunch cocktail.

🎥 Video Recap

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⚙️ Disclosures

Article Updates
We update our articles regularly. Some updates are major while others are minor link changes and spelling corrections. Let us know if you see anything that needs to be updated in this article.

Funding
We purchased the ingredients and tools used to craft these cocktails.

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Four-image quad-grid collage showcasing vibrant brunch cocktails in glasses, styled for a festive weekend brunch spread.

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Daryl and Mindi Hirsch

Saveur Magazine’s BEST TRAVEL BLOG award winners Daryl and Mindi Hirsch share their culinary travel experiences and recipes on their website 2foodtrippers. Since launching the site in 2012, they’ve traveled to over 40 countries in their quest to bring readers a unique taste of the world.