21 Brunch Cocktails to Start Your Morning Right

Wake up with a bit of a buzz

By SAVEUR Editors
May 9, 2013

While we tend to associate cocktails with hours 5 p.m. and beyond, on special occasions, weekends, or even the occasional rough Thursday morning, there's nothing like starting off a lazy day with a drink. From Old Bay-tinged Bloody Mary's to tart grapefruit spritzes, these boozy drinks will kickstart your day—or help you fall right back to sleep.

Gone in 60 Seconds

Gone in 60 seconds Iced Coffee with lime and peach nectar
This recipe treats iced coffee like a cocktail, adding peach nectar and lime juice to amp the beans' citrus and other fruit notes. Get the recipe for Gone in 60 Seconds »Matt Taylor-Gross

Boston Bloody Mary

Boston Bloody Mary
This Bloody Mary gets a briny kick from freshly shucked oysters. Get the recipe for Boston Bloody Mary »Michael Kraus

Fermented Bloody Mary

Fermented Bloody Mary, Tasmania
Luke Burgess modernizes the classic brunch cocktail with kimchi brine and sesame oil at his restaurant Garagistes. Get the recipe for Fermented Bloody Mary »James Fisher

The Charleston Fizz

The Charleston Fizz
The floral flavor of gin is a natural match for bright grapefruit and elderflower liqueur in a refreshing cocktail. Fresh tarragon adds an aromatic, peppery anise note. Get the recipe for The Charleston Fizz »Khushbu Shah

Deconstructed Bloody Mary

Deconstructed Bloody Mary
This Bloody Mary is chock-full of chopped vegetables and flavored with fresh herbs. Get the recipe for Deconstructed Bloody Mary »Michael Kraus

Arnaud's French 75

Arnaud's French 75
This elegant libation of cognac, lemon, and champagne is served at the historic bar attached to Arnaud's restaurant, which dates to the late 1800s. Get the recipe for Arnaud's French 75Todd Coleman

Fizzy Lifting Drink

Fizzy Lifting Drink
This bubbly, pink concoction of Champagne dosed with fruity crème de cassis and spicy ginger liqueur is inspired by the mysterious drink of the same name from the movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Get the recipe for Fizzy Lifting Drink »Helen Rosner

Heirloom Tomato Bloody Mary

Heirloom Tomato Bloody Mary
The Union Square Cafe in New York City makes this Bloody Mary using heirloom tomatoes from the nearby farmers' market. Get the recipe for Heirloom Tomato Bloody Mary »Michael Kraus

Lady Stoneheart

Lady Stone Heart
For this ode to the Game of Thrones noblewoman, Punt e Mes—the dark and bitter quina-vermouth hybrid—is softened with a long pour of champagne. Get the recipe for Lady Stoneheart »Matt Taylor-Gross

Rhubarb Fizz

Rhubarb Fizz
This bubbly cocktail makes the most of rhubarb season. Get the recipe for Rhubarb Fizz »Helen Rosner

Michelada Bloody Mary

Michelada Bloody Mary
Chef Rick Bayless suggested this recipe for a bloody mary made with beer, citrus, and tequila. Get the recipe for Michelada Bloody Mary »Michael Kraus

Punch House Spritz

Punch House Spritz
Lambrusco rosé, Cocchi Americano, fresh grapefruit juice, and club soda come together in this simple spritz. Get the recipe for Punch House Spritz »Matt Taylor-Gross

The Moonwalk

The Moonwalk
Joe Gilmore, legendary Head Barman at the Savoy Hotel's American Bar, invented this cocktail in 1969 to commemorate the first moon landing. The drink—a combination of grapefruit, orange liqueur, and a hint of rosewater, topped with Champagne—was the first thing Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin sipped upon returning to earth. Get the recipe for The Moonwalk »Helen Rosner

Old Bay Bloody Mary

Old Bay Bloody Mary
Old Bay seasoning gives this Bloody Mary an extra savory kick. Get the recipe for Old Bay Bloody Mary »Michael Kraus

Moto Guzzi Spritz Cocktail

Moto Guzzi Spritz Cocktail
Named after the motorcycle brand, this Aperol spritz riff from Atlanta's Greg Best, subs Cappelletti aperitivo, a red-wine-based aperitif, for Aperol. Get the recipe for Moto Guzzi Spritz Cocktail »Matt Taylor-Gross

Everything's Coming Up Rosé

Everything's Coming Up Rosé
This bright fuchsia aperitivo mixes tannic hibiscus tea, sweet Lillet Rosé, and dry rosé with a hit of prosecco. Get the recipe for Everything's Coming Up Rosé »Matt Taylor-Gross

Original Bloody Mary

Original Bloody Mary
A combination of vodka, tomato juice, fresh lemon juice, Worcestershire, and fresh ground spices is simple, classic, and always delicious. Get the recipe for Original Bloody Mary »Michael Kraus

Frozen Bloody Mary

Frozen Bloody Mary
The recipe for this Bloody Mary is based on one in the Esquire Drink Book (Harper and Row, 1956). Get the recipe for Frozen Bloody Mary »Michael Kraus

The Parasol

The Parasol
Honey, Lillet, and St. Germain join prosecco in a light, herbaceous, and citrusy brunch drink. Get the recipe for the Parasol »Helen Rosner

Gazpacho Bloody Mary

Gazpacho Bloody Mary
This refreshing Bloody Mary features yellow tomatoes, celery, and carrots. Get the recipe for Gazpacho Bloody Mary »Michael Kraus

Ginger-Absinthe Mimosa

Ginger Absinthe Mimosa
Imparting a festive green glow to the de rigueur citrus and Champagne brunch cocktail, absinthe lends a noticeably herbal bite and serves as a natural aperitif. Get the recipe for Ginger-Absinthe Mimosa »Marcus Nilsson

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