Mother’s Day Cocktails For The Perfect Lunch
With Mother’s Day fast approaching, you might have already got the perfect gift in the bag (and might we be as bold as to suggest an engraved bottle of something special). But how are you going to actually celebrate on the day?
If you don’t want to face crowded restaurants, you can treat your loved ones to a perfect lunch or brunch at home, which, of course, including serving up the best Mother’s Day cocktails.
Mother’s Day gin cocktails
Whether it’s your own Mum, a mother-in-law or another maternal figure in your life, you’ll be hoping to impress with a thoughtful (and flavourful) lunch.
Whatever you decide to prepare, it’s important you plan out the perfect Mother’s Day cocktails. It’s easy to overlook that the wrong pairing could really throw off the flavours of the meal, leaving all your hard work undone.
This is why, whether you’re planning a light seafood spread (perfect for the Spring weather) or a spread of brunch classics, you cannot go wrong by serving up the ultimate Gin and Tonic. The floral and botanical flavours along with the lower acidity levels complement many a dish.
For the perfect G&T, you’ll need:
50ml gin (we suggest Tanqueray for a classic serve or Chase Pink Grapefruit and Pomelo for something with a springy twist)
150ml fever-tree tonic
1x pink grapefruit wedge
Ice.
To make:
Fill the highball glass with ice.
Measuring with the jigger, add the gin into the glass.
Top up with the tonic.
Using the knife, cut a wedge of pink grapefruit and place on top to garnish.
Note: You can also switch out the alcohol for Tanqueray 0.0%.
Another gin drink that’ll have your party raising a toast is the sparkling and showstopping Ramos Gin Fizz. A frothy classic which originates in New Orleans, it’s the kind of cocktail which busy bartenders loathe making due to the extra elbow grease required, but is the perfect masterpiece to make at home when you want to pull out all the stops.
You’ll need:
60ml gin
15ml lemon juice
15ml Lime juice
22.5ml Sugar syrup*
1.25ml Orange flower water
1 x egg white
22.5 ml heavy cream*
100ml Chilled soda water
Ice.
*Struggling to measure 22.5ml exactly? Round it up to 25ml if you don’t mind it a little sweeter, or round it down if you prefer it less so.
To make:
Add all ingredients (minus the soda) and ice to a cocktail shaker and shake hard for up to two minutes - this is important as it gives it a souffle-like texture.
Next, strain the drink into a separate shaker if you have one, or strain into a glass, remove the ice from the shaker, and pour back into the now iceless shaker.
Dry shake (this just means shaking without ice) for about 20 seconds.
Slowly pour 2/3 of the cocktail contents into a Collins glass at the same time as the soda. They should be as one while entering the glass. Hold them at a height higher than normal when pouring. Leave room at the top of the glass.
Chill the cocktail in the Collins glass in the fridge for about a minute.
Take it out and slowly pour in the remaining cocktail from the shaker.
The effervescent cocktail requires a bit more effort - and it’s the kind of effort that won’t go unappreciated or unnoticed by Mum on the big day.
The best Brunch cocktails for Mother’s Day
So, whether you’ve decided to serve up a Sunday Lunch or a long, lazy brunch, you’ll want to pair the dishes with the right drinks.
The Vodka Sunrise – a twist on a traditional favourite
Something fruity and colourful is always a welcome addition to a brunch table, and this vodka-inspired twist on the Tequila Sunrise is perfect for a relaxed Mother’s Day gathering.
Vodka being less powerful in flavour than tequila means the fruity flavours really come through - and with just three ingredients needed, it’s easy to whip up last minute.
You’ll need:
50ml vodka (we’re partial to Ketel One)
1 or 2 x tablespoon of grenadine
Orange juice (to top).
To make:
Fill a glass with ice.
Measure out your vodka and add to the glass.
Pour in your desired amount of orange juice.
Add one or two tablespoons of grenadine just before serving (if you like fruity, sweet flavours, add two!). Do NOT stir.
Espresso Martini Cocktail – a crowd-pleaser, goes well with savoury dishes
The bitter, familiar taste of a sharp espresso martini is a great accompaniment to a range of savoury favourites, including pizza bites and meat and cheeseboards.
You’ll need:
50ml vodka (we think Ciroc is the perfect choice for a luxury sip)
35ml coffee liqueur
1 shot (25ml) of espresso
Ice.
To make:
Using a jigger, measure 50ml vodka, 35ml coffee liqueur and 25ml of espresso into a shaker.
Shake the mixture vigorously in the cocktail shaker until the surface of the shaker feels ice-cold.
Strain into a martini glass creating a smooth pour.
Garnish with three coffee beans.
Spicy Margarita – give brunch a little kick
Tequila pairs well with raw or grilled fish, vegetables, pork and steak.
You’ll need:
50ml Blanco or Añejo tequila
25ml triple sec
20ml lime juice
Two lime wedges
One jalapeño slice
Tajin
To make:
If you’re partial, wet the rim of a margarita or rocks glass using a lime wedge or lime juice in a dish. Dip in Tajin and set aside.
Add a jalapeño slice to your cocktail shaker and muddle to release the spice.
Fill the shaker with ice, then add in your tequila, triple sec and lime juice.
Shake until thoroughly chilled and strain into the prepped margarita or rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
Garnish with a lime wedge
Dessert cocktails
If you think of Mum as simply the sweetest, you’ll want to finish off your Mother’s Day celebration with an indulgent dessert – and you can’t go wrong with the Baileys French Dream.
You’ll need:
35ml Baileys® Original Irish Cream Liqueur
25ml Raspberry liqueur
35ml Coffee liqueur
1 Raspberry.
To make:
Fill a cocktail shaker with cubed ice.
Using a jigger, measure 35ml Baileys, 25ml raspberry liqueur and 35ml coffee liqueur, add all to the shaker and shake until chilled.
Shake the mixture vigorously until the surface of the cocktail shaker feels chilled.
Using a cocktail strainer strain into a rocks glass filled with ice cubes.
Garnish with raspberries.
