From Bloody Marys to Mimosas, Say "Cheers!" with These Brunch Cocktail Recipes

Beet Bloody Marys
Photo: Con Poulos

Encourage guests to linger a little longer over brunch by serving any of these cocktails that are just right for day drinking.

01 of 24
strawberry ginger smash
Paola + Murray

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.

Brunch cocktails tend to be lighter and brighter than happy hour mixed drinks, like the pitcher ready Strawberry-Ginger Smash pictured here. It's a fruity, effervescent sipper that combines fresh strawberries and ginger with lemon juice, ginger beer, and just a touch of vodka. Another fruity cocktail that's a favorite at brunch is the Bellini. This two-ingredient drink is made with peach juice and sparkling wine.

Perhaps the most well-known brunch cocktail recipe 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.

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.

02 of 24

Orange-Mint Margarita

orange-mint margarita
Paola + Murray

Who says the Margarita isn't a brunch drink? They obviously haven't tried our sparkling version. It's a longer drink that's topped off with seltzer. And as it's made in a pitcher rather than shaken, it's easy to mix up drinks for your entire brunch party in one go.

03 of 24

Celery-Lime Gimlet

celery-lime-gimlet
Paola + Murray

Looking for a less fruity, more tart brunch-ready cocktail? Try this big batch take on the gin gimlet that's super refreshing thanks to the lime and the celery that's used to muddle the drink.

04 of 24

Pomegranate-and-Pink-Grapefruit Punch

pomegranate-and-pink-grapefruit punch
Nico Schinco

Punch up your brunch cocktail offerings by serving this ombre concoction. Mix up the grapefruit-lychee mixture ahead of time in a pitcher, then drizzle the pomegranate syrup on top of each serving—it will sink to the bottom like grenadine in a tequila sunrise.

05 of 24

Carrot-Juice Mimosas

carrot juice mimosas
Anson Smart

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.

06 of 24

Bellini

peach bellinis served in flutes
Bryan Gardner

It's not brunch without a 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.

07 of 24

Beet Bloody Marys

Beet Bloody Marys
Con Poulos

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.

08 of 24

Cranberry Champagne Cocktail

cranberry champagne cocktail
Bryan Gardner

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.

09 of 24

Maple Irish Coffee

maple irish coffee
John Dolan

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.

10 of 24

Michelada Beer Cocktail

Michelada Beer Cocktail

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.

11 of 24

Pimm's Cup

cocktail pimms cup cucumber mint
Bryan Gardner

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.

12 of 24

Tom Collins

tom-collins-cocktail-102882438.jpg
Emily Kate Roemer

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

13 of 24

Coffee Coquito

three cocktails a coffee coquito, pineapple highball, and tangerine-rum sidecar
Kana Okada

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.

14 of 24

Cherry Bounce

cherry bounce cocktail garnished with frozen cherries
Mikkel Vang

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.

15 of 24

Habanero-Hibiscus Sour

habanero hibiscus sour
Lennart Weibull

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.

16 of 24

Victory Garden Cocktail

victory garden cocktail
Paola + Murray

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.

17 of 24

Guava Fresca with Mint and Ginger

guava-ginger-mint-cocktail-235-d111325.jpg

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.

18 of 24

Tangerine-Rum Sidecar

three cocktails a coffee coquito, pineapple highball, and tangerine-rum sidecar
Kana Okada

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.

19 of 24

Gordon's Breakfast Cocktail

gordons garden cocktail
CHELSEA CAVANAUGH

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.

20 of 24

Morning Margarita

morning magarita
Peter Ardito

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

21 of 24

Hibiscus-Ginger Spritz

july-august-cover-drinks-alt-136-reddrinkhero-d112982.jpg
Christopher Testani

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.

22 of 24

Pineapple-Raspberry Bellini

pineapple raspberry bellini
Armando Rafael

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.

23 of 24

Coconut-Water Vodka Cocktail

coconut-water-cocktail-010-md110117.jpg
Jen Causey

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

lillet-rose-cocktails-mld108276.jpg

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

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