You Need To Try These Mother's Day Cocktails If Your Mom Doesn't Like Champagne
It seems like mimosas and Bellinis are the go-to beverages on Mother's Day. These fruity and sparkling cocktails that bubble and go down pretty easily are super yummy, but what if your mom isn't a big fan of champagne? On top of being fairly sugary, champagne can also cause a lot of uncomfortable bloating, which is the last thing you want on a day of celebration (via Well and Good). According to Express, champagne and prosecco are two of the worst alcohol-based drinks for bloating, so you may want to check out a few other cocktail options before it's time for that big boozy brunch.
Luckily for you, there are hundreds of other delicious beverages out there that taste incredible and won't lead to bloating or the headaches that often appear after one too many mimosas. Whether your mom prefers a decadent chocolate drink, a fruity margarita, a bright citrus cocktail, or something that's still fun to drink without the alcohol, these drink recipes have you covered.
Espresso martinis are the new Irish coffees
If your mom is a coffee-lover and wants a little kickstart at her Mother's Day brunch, try making one of these divine espresso martinis. They'll wake everyone up and aren't overly sweet, either. According to Foodism, you'll need some cold brew coffee liqueur (Tia Maria is a good option), coffee or espresso, vodka, and the optional creamy liqueur. To make this drink, you mix the cold brew coffee liqueur, vodka, creamy liqueur (if you're not using this, Foodism says to substitute simple syrup), and a single or double shot of espresso with some ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake and enjoy!
Spice up your margarita game
If tequila and lime are your mom's go-to, a delicious watermelon margarita is a great option. Nutritionist Lindsay Wandzilak explained to Delish, "tequila is plant-based and our bodies do a better job metabolizing it, meaning less of a hangover, less inflammation" compared to other cocktails. Plus, the watermelon gives this drink enough sweetness that you won't need to add a ton of sugar.
Half Baked Harvest suggests making a smoky version of the margarita. They get the fresh watermelon juice by blending watermelon cubes and straining the mixture. Alternatively, the Spruce Eats suggests muddling the watermelon cubes if a blender isn't available. Then, Half Baked Harvest adds tequila (or mezcal), orange liqueur (this can be substituted for a splash of orange juice), lemon juice, a few fresh basil or mint leaves, and some jalapeño slices. Shake it in a cocktail shaker or mix it in a jar (the longer you shake, the spicier it'll be!) and serve in a glass. Yum!
No alcohol, no problem
Brunch doesn't always have to be boozy, and if your mom doesn't want to celebrate her day with a cocktail, you can still make a fun drink that's more exciting than your traditional coffee and milk. A fresh and herby grapefruit mocktail, like this one from This Vivacious Life, is easy and delicious, perfect for a bright spring day. You'll need fresh grapefruit juice, honey, and a few sprigs of rosemary. This Vivacious Life advises combining the honey and a few tablespoons of grapefruit juice in a saucepan over low heat and stirring until the honey is mixed in and warm. Then chop some rosemary. Combine the rest of the juice, the honey mixture, the chopped rosemary, and one sprig of fresh rosemary in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake it up, then serve with grapefruit wedges and additional rosemary sprigs.
Stay cool as a cucumber
Adding cucumber to a cocktail is an easy way to make it refreshing and super tasty without being overwhelming, and this cucumber collins is no exception. Delicious offers up a new take on a classic cocktail, and we're here for it. You'll need gin, elderflower liqueur, juice from a lemon, and some cucumber slices. Some other recipes, like one from The Spruce Eats, suggest the addition of simple syrup to sweeten up the drink — like a traditional Tom Collins, per AllRecipes.
Combine all the ingredients together, and stir in either still or sparkling water to fill the rest of the glass up. You can garnish with some additional cucumber slices and a lemon wedge, and you've got yourself the perfect cocktail for brunch on a warm day.
When life gives you lemons, make a lemonade cocktail
There's something about lemonade that just screams summer, and what better way to celebrate the warmer weather than with a refreshing lemonade cocktail? What The Fork Food Blog recommends a lemonade cocktail recipe that makes us want to kick back in the backyard with our feet up and listen to the birds. It's super easy to make and you can add in pretty much anything you want to customize it. All you'll need is a few ounces of vodka, some lemonade, and any optional add-ins. Some popular ideas include basil, mint, or strawberries. Delish offers some other spiked lemonade options, like sangria lemonade.
Whatever you choose, simply add the ingredients to a large jar and stir it all together, and you've got yourself an easy cocktail for a warm day. It's perfect for brunch to celebrate your mom.