Our 21 Best Brunch Cocktails, from Bloody Marys to Mimosas

By Kelly Vaughan
Updated June 04, 2020
Lennart Weibull
Encourage guests to linger a little longer over brunch by serving these easy-to-make cocktails.
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Lennart Weibull

Brunch is so much more than a meal to start the day—it's a chance to spend a little bit more time with family and friends, indulge in both sweet and savory dishes, and, of course, drink a delicious cocktail. Here, we're sharing our year-round brunch cocktail recipes that will start your day off on a spirited note. They're just the thing to pair with bacon and eggs, French toast, and so much more.

One of the most classic brunch cocktail recipes is the Bloody Mary. Made with horseradish, tomato juice, celery, hot sauce, and vodka, it's certainly not a drink for the faint of heart. Our version—Beet Bloody Marys—is an exciting twist on the spicy drink; it calls for pure beet juice for even richer red color and slightly sweet flavor. Another drink everyone looks forward to enjoying at brunch is the Bellini. This two-ingredient essential is made with peach juice and sparkling wine. While there are plenty of fruit variations to choose from, our traditional recipe is sure to be your new favorite.

If you need a bit of caffeine to get your morning going, try our Maple Irish Coffee. Yes, there's whiskey, but there's also irresistible notes of vanilla and maple, plus a cocoa-dusted dollop of whipped cream that's simply mouthwatering. Another option is to take a trip to a spot where it's always warm and sunny with our Coffee Coquito. Blend together a mixture of coconut milk, evaporated milk, condensed milk, rum, and cinnamon, then pour it all over iced espresso for the most delectable drink.

Ahead, more delicious cocktail recipes that are guaranteed to make your next brunch one to remember.

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Carrot-Juice Mimosas

Anson Smart
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There will be a skip in your step when you sip on this springtime beverage. Fresh carrot juice and orange juice are mixed together, then topped with Champagne for a crisp, bright orange twist on a mimosa.

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Bellini

Bryan Gardner
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It's not brunch without a sweet Bellini made with fresh, ripe peaches! Of course, you could use prepared peach juice, but it's so much more delicious if you make it yourself.

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Beet Bloody Marys

Con Poulos
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Looking for a delicious twist on this classic brunch cocktail? Try this inspired version that uses red beets, which add a rich hue and slightly sweet flavor to the spicy tomato-and-horseradish-based drink.

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Cranberry Champagne Cocktail

Bryan Gardner
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If you're hosting a brunch around the holidays, make use of leftover cranberry sauce in this festive cocktail. It's a unique twist on a Kir Royale, which is made with crème de cassis.

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Maple Irish Coffee

John Dolan
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Start your morning off with a boozy brunch beverage that'll also wake you up. A sweetened version of a classic Irish coffee should do the trick. A combination of pure vanilla extract and maple syrup adds delicious, dessert-like flavor to strongly-brewed coffee.

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Michelada Beer Cocktail

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There's tons of flavor in this brunch cocktail thanks to minced chile, lime juice, tomato juice, and a fruity, refreshing lager beer. It's just the thing to drink on a hot summer day.

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Pimm's Cup

Bryan Gardner
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Enjoy this brunch cocktail from across the pond whenever you're craving a cool, refreshing sip. It's made with Pimm's No. 1, a gin-based, herbal liqueur that is brightened with cucumber slices, fresh mint, strawberries, and lemon.

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Tom Collins

Emily Kate Roemer
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Looking for something light, bright, and totally delicious? Try this gin-based cocktail for brunch, which is made with just four ingredients—the aforementioned booze, lemon juice, simple syrup, and seltzer water.

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Coffee Coquito

Kana Okada
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Sweet, creamy, and caffeinated, this coffee-based brunch cocktail will take you to the tropics. It's made with a trio of milk—coconut, evaporated, and sweetened condensed—plus rum, cinnamon, and, of course, espresso.

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Cherry Bounce

Mikkel Vang
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Make use of the bounty of fresh sour cherries, which are at their peak in June, in this two-ingredient rum cocktail. The mixture should be made at least one week in advance, which saves prep time the morning of brunch.

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Habanero-Hibiscus Sour

Lennart Weibull
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This brunch cocktail—made with pisco (a South American brandy), lime juice, and egg whites—packs in some serious heat first thing in the morning. A normally sweet simple syrup gets a seriously spicy kick from habanero chiles, and its pink color comes from dried hibiscus flowers.

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Victory Garden Cocktail

Paola + Murray
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Have you ever seen a prettier brunch cocktail than this one? A combination of whiskey and applejack brandy is shaken—not stirred—with lemon juice, orange bitters, and thyme-rosemary simple syrup.

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Guava Fresca with Mint and Ginger

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Even if you're not brunching in the Caribbean, this cocktail will transport you with just one sip. Sweet guava juice is mixed with fresh mint simple syrup, seltzer, and your choice of tequila or white rum.

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Tangerine-Rum Sidecar

Kana Okada
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Sip on this twist on a traditional cognac sidecar with dark rum, plus plenty of citrus flavor from triple sec, fresh tangerine juice, and fresh lemon juice. It's a brunch cocktail that packs a punch.

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Gordon's Breakfast Cocktail

CHELSEA CAVANAUGH
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Seeking something savory and spicy that isn't a Bloody Mary? Look no further than the classic Gordon's Breakfast. Our version gets its heat from horseradish and homemade jalapeño syrup instead of the traditional bottled hot sauce.

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Morning Margarita

Peter Ardito
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Swap out the usual tequila for lower-alcohol (and more brunch-friendly!) agave wine in this citrusy margarita.

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Bloody Mary for One

Pippa Drummond
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Store-bought mix simply can't compete with homemade Bloody Marys. Here, lemon juice, fresh horseradish, Worcestershire, celery salt, and Tabasco give the tomato base tons of flavor.

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Hibiscus-Ginger Spritz

Christopher Testani
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Aromatic hibiscus flowers and warming ginger are a perfect pairing in this refreshing fizzy drink. Try our other spritz flavors next: pineapple-cucumber and spicy grapefruit.

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Pineapple-Raspberry Bellini

Armando Rafael
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If you don't want to shake cocktails to order, try making a big batch of this French-inspired bellini. We'd suggest whipping up at least two pitchers—it disappears quickly.

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Coconut-Water Vodka Cocktail

Jen Causey
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Spike good-for-you coconut water with a little vodka—after all, it's brunch! Finish with an orange twist.

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Lillet Rosé Spring Cocktail

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Grapefruit juice gives this shaken cocktail its delicate pink hue. An edible floral garnish makes it elegant enough for the fanciest brunch.

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By Kelly Vaughan