Christmas has eggnog, New Year’s Eve has Champagne, Thanksgiving has cider. So why doesn’t Easter have a traditional beverage? The holiday falls just after Lent, a 40-day period in which many celebrants give up things like sweets, social media, red meat, and often alcohol. And while Easter is a jubilant day, there’s no specific way to toast to the vernal holiday. We think it’s time to change that.
As Easter is brunch’s favorite holiday, VinePair has put together a list of our favorite spring cocktails that pair as well with pancakes and omelets as they do with Peeps and egg hunts.
From all things bubbly, to spring-themed drinks that will double as April decor, read on for the cocktails that will feel at home on your Easter brunch table.
The Elderflower Spritz
You heard it here first: Spritz season has begun. For a refreshing twist on the drink, substitute elderflower liqueur for Aperol, and combine it with vodka, lime juice, and sparkling water. Or, if you prefer a lower-ABV beverage, nix the vodka and add an extra pour of seltzer. Whichever way you mix it, this easy-to-make cocktail is sure to be a crowd favorite.
The Oh, Honey Recipe
Developed at The Laureate at San Francisco’s Laurel Inn, this lavender-hued cocktail was inspired by drag queen Trixie Mattel. It’s made using butterfly pea flower-infused gin, which gives it its purple color, as well as lemon juice, honey syrup, and elderflower tonic. Top with edible flowers for a drink that doubles as a table centerpiece.
The Morning Margarita Recipe
There’s no wrong time to drink a Margarita, and that includes Easter Sunday. This year, swap out that boring Mimosa for a Margarita riff ideal for early risers. To make it, combine tequila, lemon-ginger simple syrup, and orange juice in a shaker with ice. Shake, strain, and top with a pinch of cayenne to spice up the most important meal of the day.
Strawberry Sparkler Recipe
Looking for a cocktail to impress your friends and family that won’t require hours of prep? You’ve come to the right place. With only three ingredients, this drink is as easy to craft as it is to sip. Just pour pisco and strawberry simple syrup in a Champagne glass and top with sparkling rosé. Garnish with a strawberry, and you’ll have a cocktail to match your Easter pastels.
The Rosé Blackberry Spritz Recipe
Nothing says springtime like a refreshing glass of rosé. This cocktail takes those flavors a step further, adding them to a bubbly spritz. In a shaker, combine Rosé Aperitivo with lemon juice and gin. Top with blackberry soda and a blackberry garnish, and toast to the warmer days ahead.
Breakfast Martini Sour Recipe
For a festive brunch cocktail and a hangover cure in one, try out this frothy recipe. In a shaker, combine gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, orange marmalade, and an egg white. Shake together both with and without ice, and strain into a coupe glass. The result is a delightful sipper that combines some of our favorite breakfast ingredients. Garnish with an orange slice, bonus points for a scone on the side.
The Sparkling Raspberry Royale
Though it sounds fancy, looks fancy, and tastes fancy, this cocktail is actually easy to make and requires only a few ingredients you likely already have in your bar cart and fridge. Just combine gin, lemon juice, and raspberry jam in a shaker with ice, strain into a cocktail glass, and top with Champagne. A raspberry skewer garnish will elevate this cocktail and impress your guests.
The Petal Pusher Recipe
Developed by mixologist Gates Otsuji at NYC’s Il Fiorista, this cocktail is full of elegantly balanced flavors ideal for pairing with pastries. To make it, add Godiva chocolate liqueur to a wine glass with ice, then add in Cardamaro and St-Germain. Top with Prosecco, and garnish with your favorite spring flower for a drink that will match your Easter decor.
The Strawberry Daydream Recipe
This fresh, fruit-forward cocktail practically begs to be enjoyed in a flower garden. The combination of gin, lemon and grapefruit juices, and strawberry simple syrup makes for a brightly colored drink that’s even more festive when garnished with a strawberry slice and edible flower.
The Hibiscus Citrus Tea Cocktail
Elevate your morning cup of tea with this earthy, acidic cocktail made with herbal hibiscus tea, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, and gin — plus lots of crushed ice. It’s garnished with a sprig of mint and a slice of grapefruit for a presentation that’s as appealing as the drink’s flavor. One sip, and you’ll never go back to your usual iced tea.
