11 Drinks for Your Mother's Day Brunch

What better way is there to tell your mom you love her than a homemade brunch on Mother's Day? And while you're at it, what better way is there to say, "Thank you for putting up with me" than a well-mixed brunch drink? Consider this your recipe guide to delicious brunch cocktails (plus nonalcoholic options!) that are a little more unusual than your standard mimosa.

Strawberry-Mint Sparkler

We can't get enough of the full-flavored strawberries that show up at farmers markets this time of year. Eat them plain, eat them with whipped cream, and use them in this simple fizzy drink, made with tart lime juice, fresh, bright mint, and a little vodka. Once it's mixed with club soda, the cocktail transforms from joltingly sweet and sour into a light, effervescent brunch-friendly drink.

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Thyme for a Salty Dog

The Salty Dog is a classic brunch drink, and it's a cinch to whip one up. We like this gin variation made with a little lime in addition to the grapefruit, and a pinch of crunchy Maldon salt. But if you and Mom prefer vodka, we recommend this version, which gets a little added flavor from an easy thyme-flavored simple syrup.

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Best Bloody Mary

If Mom likes to stick to the classics (and appreciates her drinks on the savory side), consider making her the best Bloody Mary ever. Ours gets a boost from Worcestershire sauce and a little soy, and gets its heat from freshly grated horseradish (plus some cayenne and Frank's hot sauce.) Consider making a big batch of the mixture and setting up a choose-your-own garnish bar with celery stalks, poached shrimp or smoked mussels, assorted pickled things, and bacon swizzle sticks.

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The Blur

You've seen bubbly brunch drinks before, but this tart lime variation, served at Nopa in San Francisco, is really special, made with herbal Green Chartreuse and maraschino liqueur to sweeten. The result is less like a cocktail and more like improved sparkling wine. Cava will do the trick—no need to shell out for Champagne in this case.

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Kiwi Cooler

Sweet and tangy kiwi is wonderful paired with the slightly licorice flavor of tarragon, especially when they're shaken with your favorite gin. The gin's herbal notes tie into the tarragon's flavor, and tart lime and soda make it extra refreshing. Added bonus: this one takes just one bottle of booze, no fancy liqueurs that require an extra trip to the liquor store.

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Honey and Marmalade Sour

Scones and marmalade are obvious at brunch, but how about vodka and marmalade? The citrusy stuff adds really nice bittersweet flavor to this drink, made bracing with fresh lemon and mellowed out with honey.

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Polaris

A slightly floral drink feels just right for the occasion, but elderflower liqueur needs to be used carefully to not overpower a cocktail. This one perfectly balances the St. Germain with herbal gin and a little cognac, plus lemon and grapefruit juice to up the refreshment factor.

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Fresh Watermelon Margarita

This fresh fruit margarita is pretty in pink and crazy-refreshing. To get the watermelon flavor to really come through, you'll whir an ample amount of watermelon (seedless is best) in a blender with a little kosher salt. A touch of elderflower liqueur deepens the flavor of the melon, and of course, you'll need some decent tequila, too.

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Raspberry Spritz

This variation on the classic Spritz allows you to capture the essence of raspberries without all those little seeds. You'll make an easy raspberry syrup with a touch of mint, then mix it with bittersweet Cocchi Americano and sparkling wine. Since there's no stiff spirit involved, this is the sort of drink Mom can enjoy all afternoon.

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Sparkling Suze Cocktail

Suze is a saffron-colored French aperitif with a delicately bittersweet flavor. It's practically a cocktail in a bottle, with hints of citrus and wildflowers, but it's especially wonderful mixed with sparkling wine and a touch of elderflower liqueur.

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The Devereaux

Not all bourbon drinks are made for a warm-weather brunch, but this little bubbly-and-bourbon combo is perfect, thanks to a squeeze of lemon and a splash of elderflower liqueur.

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