BLOOD ORANGE MIMOSA

What distinguishes brunch for a late breakfast? A good cocktail. This Blood Orange Mimosa, which works equally well with pink grapefruit juice, is an elegant twist on the classic Mimosa, a pitcher can be prepared ahead of time to top with sparkling wine when guests arrive. For added flair, sugar rim your cocktail glasses –rub a wedge of blood orange or lemon along the outer edge of the glass, then place the glass upside down into a dish of sugar and twist, lift the glass and shake off any excess. Allow the glass to dry before pouring.

For A Glass

1-2 ounces freshly squeezed blood orange juice, strained dry sparkling wine or Prosecco or Champagne, well chilled blood orange segments for garnish

1. Depending on taste, add one to two ounces of freshly squeezed juice topped with well chilled sparkling wine, Prosecco or Champagne. Garnish with blood orange segments.

For A Pitcher

10 to 12 blood oranges, juiced and strained bottle dry sparkling wine or Prosecco or Champagne blood orange segments for garnish orange liquer optional

Prepare juice ahead and keep well chilled in a pitcher. Wait for guests to arrive before pouring in a bottle of well chilled dry sparkling wine or Prosecco or Champagne. OPTIONAL Add-in 80ml orange liquer to the pitcher for a bit more flavour and punch.

Brunch Cocktail Classics

Aperol Spritz

Aperol, Prosecco, soda, an orange slice, plenty of ice

Fill a large wine glass with plenty of ice. Add 3 parts Prosecco, then 2 parts Aperol. Add a dash of soda and stir lightly. Garnish with an orange slice (not lemon) and enjoy.

Bloody Mary

1 1/2 oz vodka, 3oz tomato juice, 1/2oz freshly squeezed lemon juice, dash Worcestershire sauce, dash hot sauce (or to taste), pinch celery salt, pinch freshly ground black pepper, 1/4tsp prepared horseradish (to taste –optional), lemon wedge and celery stalk for garnish Pour vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce into a highball glass filled with ice. Add hot sauce, celery salt, black pepper, and horseradish (optional). Stir well and adjust seasoning to taste. Garnish with lemon wedge and celery stalk.