Raise a Glass to Mother’s Day With Brunch Cocktails

by Jennifer Pitterle | May 2024

A cornucopia of cocktails awaits you this Mother’s Day. Right: Orange Ginger Prosecco Fizz. Photos: Chris Emeott

Elevate Mother’s Day brunch with crowd-pleasing Mimosas and Bellinis.

Mother’s Day is when many families gather for brunch, that quintessential springtime meal we all know and love. And nothing goes better with eggs benedict, French toast and omelets than a fizzy, fruity bevvy. Enter the Mimosa, darling of the brunch cocktail menu and—we’d argue—springtime in a flute.

“Brunch beverages are arguably the most fun part of the meal,” says Katie Tomsche, content manager at Lunds & Byerlys. We asked Tomsche to share some of her favorite Mimosa recipes, so you can create a festive beverage spread in the comfort of your own kitchen. And, she says, don’t forget the Mimosa’s close cousin. “Bellinis tend to be made with prosecco, an Italian sparkling wine, while Mimosas tend to be made with Champagne,” Tomsche says. But that’s just a technicality. Tomsche advises making any of the drinks here with your favorite sparkling wine, no matter from whence it hails. (And if you need another reason to celebrate, it’s National Mimosa Day on May 16.) Cheers!

Mother's Day Brunch Table

Mix-and-Match Mimosas

A traditional Mimosa is composed of one part orange juice and three parts sparkling wine. To wow your brunch guests, mix up one of the following combinations using juice and fresh fruit. Or, set out a few bottles of your favorite sparkling wine and a selection of juices, and let guests mix up their own beverage.

Classic Orange

¼ cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
¾ cup Champagne or sparkling wine
Cara Cara orange slices, for garnish

Orange Mango

¼ cup Santa Cruz organic orange mango juice
¾ cup Champagne or sparkling wine
strawberries or orange slices, for garnish

Pomegranate

¼ cup RW Knudsen Just Pomegranate juice
¾ cup Champagne or sparkling wine
strawberries or pomegranate seeds, for garnish

Blueberry

¼ cup RW Knudsen Just Blueberry juice
¾ cup Champagne or sparkling wine
blueberries or raspberries, for garnish

Blueberry Mimosa

Tasty Twists

Whether you’re looking for sweet or tart, boozy or bubbly, Tomsche has plenty of perfect brunch cocktail recipes to consider.

Sparkling Grapefruit Vanilla Mocktail

For the kids or anyone who’s abstaining from alcohol, this mocktail is a tasty addition to the spread. Prepare the syrup ahead of time, so it’s ready to pour for brunch.

½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup water
3 rosemary sprigs, plus some for garnish
½ tsp. vanilla extract
¾ cup pink grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed
¾ oz. lemon juice, freshly squeezed
ice
splash of sparkling water

Prepare the rosemary-vanilla syrup: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar, water and rosemary sprigs. Cook for 5 minutes or until simmering, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Stir in the vanilla extract, remove from heat, and let sit for 10 minutes. Discard the rosemary sprigs, transfer syrup to an airtight container, and let cool in the refrigerator for 1 hour. To make one mocktail: In a cocktail shaker filled halfway with ice, combine the pink grapefruit juice, lemon juice and 3/4 oz. rosemary-vanilla syrup. Shake until chilled through. Strain into a glass filled 1/3 of the way with ice. Top with sparkling water. Garnish with a rosemary sprig and pink grapefruit slice.

Peach Bellini

This classic, which originated in Venice, Italy, features fresh peaches instead of fruit juice and can be made in a batch to quickly serve a crowd. This recipe makes six servings.

4 ripe peaches
prosecco (for a true Bellini) or your favorite sparkling wine

Peel peaches, and blend in a high-speed blender until smooth. Add a few tablespoons of water if needed. Strain the mixture, and refrigerate until cold. To serve, pour 1 oz. of peach puree into a flute, and top with prosecco. Stir gently to combine.

Peach Bellini

Orange Ginger Prosecco Fizz

“With freshly squeezed blood orange juice and spicy ginger beer, this gorgeous sparkling wine cocktail will be the talk of brunch,” Katie Tomsche says.

1 oz. blood orange juice, freshly squeezed
1 oz. ginger beer
3 oz. prosecco or your favorite sparkling wine

Mix all ingredients together in a glass. Garnish with a ribbon of orange peel.

Elderflower Prosecco

Elderflower has long been beloved in Scandinavia and across northern Europe, partly because its appearance signals the arrival of spring. St-Germain is the most recognized elderflower liqueur. It’s made in France from fresh elderflower petals.

1 oz. St-Germain elderflower liqueur
prosecco or your favorite sparkling wine

Pour 1 oz. of elderflower liqueur into a flute, and top with prosecco. Stir gently to combine.

Basket of Bubbles

A gift basket is a great offering for Mother’s Day (or any other spring occasion). Put together a DIY, Mimosa-themed basket with items you can easily pick up at your local grocery store.

Here’s what you might include: