Lush Life | Get yo mama buzzed this Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day being one of the more conservative holidays does not mean that you must forego drinks altogether. Moms might enjoy a nice brunch drink with their favorite offspring.

However, you can not very well order up the PBR and Jaeger shots with mom before noon. Mother’s Day is the day to keep it classy. Be respectful. Put your pinky out a little.

You know. For mom.

Going the traditional Bloody Mary or mimosa route is fine, but not memorable. Give mom a daytime cocktail that she will not soon forget. One that says “you are special” and “thanks for giving me life.” Just by putting a little spin on the classics you can create a whole new experience for everyone.

First, champagne. Nothing says class and mom like a nice glass of bubbly. Whether it is champagne, sparkling wine or prosecco, mom will appreciate the formality. For a special occasion like this, you can doctor up the traditional champagne cocktail recipes to really set the day off.

A strawberry mimosa is bright and refreshing. Instead of the traditional orange juice and champagne mixture, celebrate spring and mom by using local strawberries. Puree them with some simple syrup and add about an ounce of that mix to a standard glass of champagne. If you really love it or want it sweeter, add more puree. This makes a vibrant, tasty cocktail.

An amped-up version would be to add a berry-flavored vodka or rum to the mix. Just about half an ounce will do nicely, but you can decide how amped up you want it to be.

In the same vein, only colder, an orange sorbet mimosa works wonders for the palate before, during or after a hearty brunch. One small spoon of orange sorbet to your glass of champagne chills and flavors the wine as it melts. You get this delicately sweet mix of orange flavor effervescence that is the perfect dessert in a glass or meal starter.

One of my favorite spring brunch blends is champagne, limoncello and raspberries. This drink is full of flavor for spring. It’s about an ounce of limoncello, four or five fresh raspberries that have been frozen and a healthy pour of champagne. The berries will chill the mix and the limoncello adds a crisp, citrus taste.

Nothing says group brunch like sangria. A nice spring sangria is also a great pitcher cocktail that will last the duration of the meal for mom and all your guests.

Stop by your local produce stand and buy any fruit that looks good or that you like. Dice the fruit removing the seeds and inedible parts as you go. This time of year, I enjoy a nice sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio as the base of a good sangria. Feel free to use red wine as well. For red, I like to stick with pinot noir or merlot. In a large pitcher, add the wine and fruit. Stir and allow to sit in the refrigerator for a couple of hours. Viola! Sangria.

If you like, you may also add some simple syrup to sweeten the flavors. I love a pinch of nutmeg in red sangria. Stick to what is in season, is fresh and complements the flavors of the wine.

Gin and mom go hand in hand. They are a classic pairing. The French 75 is perfect for al fresco dining and chatting with the family. Gin, lemon juice, super fine sugar and champagne make this a great cocktail. It still plays on the bubble aspect of cocktails, but includes the spirit that moms love. The botanicals in gin give this drink a little more of a floral tone with the crisp lemon flavor.

Let’s face it, mom is less about what you drink or where you drink and more into the fact that you are sharing the day with her. Step up a little and take her somewhere nice. Brunch by the water on what is supposed to be a wonderfully sunny day. Order an appetizer. Try a new cocktail. Smile. Tell her “thank you.” Get her a little buzzed and ask her for $20. Just share the day with there person who helped bring you into the world.

Cheers!

This story was originally published May 9, 2015 at 4:14 AM with the headline "Lush Life | Get yo mama buzzed this Mother’s Day."