Brunch is a strange thing. It's a bridge between two "real" meals, but it's more of a social activity than a food event. It's a bit of weekend alchemy, allowing you and your best friends to transform last night's hangover into today's happy vibes.
That's where the drinks come in. Once you've ordered your scramble and coffee, it's time to get to the real main course: the cocktail. There are a lot of options out there. These are eight that you absolutely have to try.
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You might be saying "duh, obviously the Bloody Mary is on my list," but we bet you've only scratched the surface of what can be done with the basic recipe.
For our money, the best version out there comes from Elixir in San Francisco.
If you're looking for a truly wild one, check out our list of the world's craziest Bloody Marys (featuring everything from foie gras to 80oz servings).
Learn how to make the Bloody Mary in our How to Cocktail video.
For our money, the best version out there comes from Elixir in San Francisco.
If you're looking for a truly wild one, check out our list of the world's craziest Bloody Marys (featuring everything from foie gras to 80oz servings).
Learn how to make the Bloody Mary in our How to Cocktail video.
Whether you make it with gin or cognac, the French 75 is a brunch drink that packs a punch (it was named after a piece of French field artillery).Learn how to make the French 75 in our How to Cocktail video.
The only way to improve on a Margarita? Turn it into a brunch recipe! This smart spin adds orange marmalade, providing a bit of summertime sun to any brunch plan.
Get the recipe for the Breakfast Margarita.
Get the recipe for the Breakfast Margarita.
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One of the best classic brunch cocktails also happens to have one of our favorite recipe names. But be warned, bartending bible The Savoy Cocktail Book notes "Four of these taken in swift succession will un-revive the corpse again."Learn how to make the Corpse Reviver No. 2 in our How to Cocktail video.
Bright, citrusy and big enough for your whole team, this fresh brunch punch will have you asking for seconds.
Get the recipe for the Campari Açaí Brunch Punch.
Get the recipe for the Campari Açaí Brunch Punch.
Bourbon, coffee liqueur, heavy cream and orgeat (an almond syrup) provide a rich, indulgent base for the Lift. But by adding club soda, the recipe is made light, fizzy and absolutely delicious. Give your next brunch a rise.
Learn how to make the Bourbon Lift in our How to Cocktail video.
Learn how to make the Bourbon Lift in our How to Cocktail video.
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This New Orleans brunch classic is either a bit labor-intensive or a great arm work out, depending on your disposition. The one thing everyone can agree on, though, is that the outcome is more than worth the effort.
A delicate drink, the Ramos Gin Fizz manages an impressive balancing act of textures and flavors that must be tried to be understood.
Learn how to make the Ramos Gin Fizz in our How to Cocktail video.
A delicate drink, the Ramos Gin Fizz manages an impressive balancing act of textures and flavors that must be tried to be understood.
Learn how to make the Ramos Gin Fizz in our How to Cocktail video.
The Michelada hits the trifecta of brunch brilliance:
1. It's easy to make and drink.2. It's low in alcohol which is important for those brunches that stretch into lunches.3. It pairs with just about anything—or can work fine on its own as a liquid lunch.
Learn how to make the Michelada in our How to Cocktail video.
1. It's easy to make and drink.2. It's low in alcohol which is important for those brunches that stretch into lunches.3. It pairs with just about anything—or can work fine on its own as a liquid lunch.
Learn how to make the Michelada in our How to Cocktail video.
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