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.
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.
Heirloom Tomato Bloody Mary
The Union Square Cafe in New York City makes this Bloody Mary using heirloom tomatoes from the nearby farmers’ market.
Michelada Bloody Mary
Chef Rick Bayless suggested this recipe for a bloody mary made with beer, citrus, and tequila.
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.
Frozen Bloody Mary
The recipe for this Bloody Mary is based on one in the Esquire Drink Book (Harper and Row, 1956).
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.
