Brunch Cocktails For Easter

Easter—it’s the heart of the spring season! While the kids will be squealing with joy as they run about the backyard in a jelly-bean-fueled frenzy, questing for plastic eggs—the real fun will be had around the adult’s table, with these festive Easter brunch cocktails.

The Green Garden Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 1 small Turkish cucumber sliced into ¼ inch slices (approx. ½ cup)
• 1 handful Tender herbs, torn (tarragon, dill, Italian parsley, celery leaves, mint or a mix)
• 1 oz Simple syrup
• 4 oz Vodka or Gin
• ½ oz Chartreuse  (or an Anise flavored liqueur)
• 1 ½ oz Fresh lemon or limejuice
• Splash celery bitters (optional)
• 2 Thin slices Turkish cucumber and violets for garnish

Instructions:

1. Place cucumber and herbs in a shaker and muddle with the simple syrup.
2. Add Vodka, Chartreuse, fresh lemon Juice and the celery bitters.
3. Fill with ice and shake well.
4. Strain through a fine mesh strainer into two chilled glasses. Serve and enjoy!

Grapefruit, Strawberry, Chamomile Punch

(Serves 10-12)

Ingredients

Chamomile Syrup:

• 3 cups Water
• 2 1/2 cups Sugar
• 8 Chamomile tea bags

Punch:

• 4 cups Fresh grapefruit juice
• 1 pint Fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 3 cups Bourbon
• A few good dashes of bitters
• Ice cubes or an ice mold, for serving
• Fresh chamomile flowers, for garnish (optional)

Directions for the chamomile syrup:

1. Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan set over medium heat.
2. Bring to a simmer, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat, add the tea bags, and stir.
3. Cover and let steep for 15 minutes. Remove the tea bags and discard.
4. Refrigerate until room temperature or chilled, at least 1 hour.

Directions for the punch:

1. In a blender, combine the grapefruit juice and half of the strawberries.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Pour the mixture into a large punch bowl.
4. Add the chamomile syrup, bourbon, and bitters.
5. Add the remaining strawberry slices and ice.

To serve, put a few ice cubes into serving cups, garnish with fresh flowers, if available, and ladle the punch into glasses.

Spring Spritz

Ingredients

• 2 oz Aperol
• 2 oz Sparkling white wine
• 1 oz Fresh grapefruit juice (recommended, ruby red)
• Splash of soda water
• 1/2 grapefruit wheel for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a wine glass with ice.
2. Add Aperol, sparkling wine, and grapefruit juice.
3. Top off with soda water and garnish with grapefruit wheel.

The Fizzy Bunny Mimosa

Ingredients

• 1 part Chilled carrot juice
• 1 part Fresh squeezed orange juice
• 3-4 parts Champagne or Prosecco sparkling wine
• Dash of cayenne
• Orange slice for garnish

Instructions:

Mix in chilled champagne glasses, serve and enjoy!

Need help looking for those perfect cocktail ingredients to boost your brunch game? The staff at your nearest Spec’s will be hoppy to help. Enjoy your Easter brunch!