Winter Brunch Menu: How To Balance Sweet And Savoury Cocktails
Introduction
Hosting a winter bunch is a delicate task that requires preparation and precision. Being a mid-morning meal, it bridges the gap between breakfast and lunch. This makes it essential to prepare dishes and drinks ahead, be it prepping ingredients or partially cooking. It is also imperative to pick snacks, drinks and desserts that complement each other. As it leads to a harmonious brunch encounter.
Being the first meal of a lazy day or weekends, brunch usually comprises light appetisers and hearty breakfast dishes. Sweet and savoury cocktails go well with such food. Sweet concoctions commonly offer bright, fruity or creamy flavours that go well with casseroles and fried snacks. On the other hand, savoury cocktails add complexity and contrast to sweet treats and baked goodies. It is important to pick drinks and dishes that share taste profiles to serve a diverse yet well-matched brunch menu.
A winter brunch menu typically incorporates lots of seasonal produce and a selection of sweet and savoury dishes. Ranging from hearty stews to overnight casseroles to breakfast quesadillas, the options are endless. It is ideal to keep at least 3 to 5 savoury dish options for a small to moderate brunch party. For sweet treats, keep 2-4 options, depending on time and convenience, such as homemade scones and pastries. To accompany this brunch spread, one may prefer a few cocktails and some non-alcoholic beverage options such as tea, coffee and mocktails. This creates a balanced brunch fare, complete with complimentary food and drink.
How To Balance Sweet And Savoury Cocktails For Brunch
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Variety Is Key
Provide guests with a mix of sweet and savoury cocktail options for them to choose. Aim to include at least one of each type. Sweet options like Mimosas and Kir Royales go really well with most brunch dishes. While savoury drinks like Bloody Mary cocktails and Paloma cocktails are suitable for the culinary event.
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Complementary Pairings
The cocktails you pair with your dishes should complement and showcase the flavours of your brunch spread. For example, if you are serving sweeter treats like waffles and scones, then balance them with creamy sweet drinks or herb-based umami cocktails. For savoury food items like cheese, eggs and meat, serve crisp and fruity drinks.
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Garnish Accordingly
Garnishes are a great way of reinforcing the flavour profile of cocktails. For sweet cocktails, try fruit slices, citrus wedges and salt rims. While they offer a contrasting flavour, it ends up upgrading the drink’s overall taste profile and aroma. Savoury cocktails go well with spices and herbs for garnishes. These garnishes offer a rich, earthy taste that adds complexity and nuance to umami drinks.
Sweet Brunch Cocktail Ideas
Pina Colada Spritz
To make this creamy yet effervescent drink for 2, you need 240 ml soda water, 60 ml coconut rum, 80 ml pineapple juice, 20-30 ml lime juice, 4 tbsp cream of coconut, and 2 maraschino cherries. Add coconut rum, pineapple juice, lime juice and cream of coconut to a blender. Pulse until smooth. Then, pour into ice-filled highball glasses or coupe glasses and top off with the soda. Serve garnished with the cherries.
Espresso Martini Cocktail
To make this rich, bittersweet cocktail for 2, you need 80 ml espresso, 50 ml vodka, 30 ml coffee liqueur, 30 ml simple syrup and some coffee beans. In an ice-filled cocktail shaker, combine the vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur and syrup. Vigorously shake until the cocktail shaker is very frosty and the mixture is foamy. Strain into chilled martini cocktail glasses and serve garnished with coffee beans.
Savoury Brunch Cocktail Recipes
Spicy Margarita Cocktail
To make this zesty, spiced cocktail for 2, you need 50 ml tequila, 30 ml orange liqueur, 30 ml lime juice, 30 ml agave syrup, 6 deseeded jalapeño slices, 2 lime wedges, and coarse salt. Chill your coarse salt-rimmed glasses while mixing the drinks. Add tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, agave syrup and gently muddled jalapeños to an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake well until thoroughly chilled, for at least 15-20 seconds. Strain into the glasses and garnish with more jalapeño slices before serving.
Pickle Juice Whisky Sour
To make this tangy, smooth cocktail for 2, you need 60 ml bourbon whisky, 60 ml dill pickle juice, 30ml whole lime juice, 20 gm sugar, gherkins, lime wedges and chile-lemon salt mix. Rub the lime wedges on glass rims before dipping them in the salt mix. Add bourbon, lime juice, pickle juice and sugar to an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Vigorously shake till well combined. Strain into the prepared glasses and garnish with gherkins before serving.
On a separate note, those who prefer raising a toast to celebrations with mocktails can also opt for creative, sweet and savoury options. Among savoury mocktails, grapefruit guava rosemary agua fresca and ginger tamarind refresher are ideal. For those who prefer a sweet brunch mocktail, the sunrise mocktail and Miami Vice mocktail are great options.
Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
