When you’re thinking about replacing anything in a meal, whether it’s the sides, main course, or the drinks, it’s useful to think about what role the element you’re substituting served, so its replacement can occupy the same niche. And so, with that in mind, consider these three drinks to spice up your brunch. The cucumber mint V&T is light, vegetal, vodka-based, and optionally spicy to sub in for the bloody mary. The Paloma is fruit forward just like a mimosa, with a bit of bitterness off the grapefruit and fizz off the seltzer to take the place of the Champagne. And finally, the French 75 for a lot of citrus and because, honestly, were you going to host a brunch and not have Champagne?

Note: Some of the below beverages call for a Cocktail Shaker. While this will greatly benefit your drink quality, whisking or stirring vigorously will result in a delicious cocktail as well.

CUCUMBER MINT V&T

Light, vegetal, refreshing, vodka-based

Ingredients

• 2 Parts vodka
• 2-4 Parts tonic water
• 1 Part lime juice
• ½” Sliced cucumber rounds (you want them thick enough that shaking doesn’t break them)
• Mint leaves
• Ice cubes
• ¼” Sliced jalapeno or serrano rounds (optional)

Directions

In a cocktail shaker, shake vodka, lime juice, cucumber, mint leaves, ice, and hot pepper if you’re using it for about 15 seconds, pour unstrained into glass, then add tonic water. Garnish with another cucumber round. Ideally, do everything but adding the tonic water the night before so the cucumber has more time to diffuse.

Thoughts

Nice, clean, and classic. Pretty unobjectionable and a nice way to spruce up a drink everyone’s familiar with. The refreshing qualities of the cucumber, the sweetness and earthiness of the mint, and the sour tang of lime, plus any optional spice you may add hit all the marks for the perfect brunch cocktail.

PALOMA

Citrusy, salty, smoky, can be made either bitter or sweet

Ingredients

• 2 Parts tequila (darker = smokier)
• 2 Parts grapefruit juice
• 1 Part club soda
• 1 Part lime juice
• 1 Part simple syrup
• Ice cubes
• Chili salt (optional, for rim)

Directions

Chili Salt
Put some kosher salt on a plate and mix with chili powder. Rub the rim of the glass with a slice of lime, grapefruit, or wet paper towel, then roll the rim in the chili salt prior to assembling the drink. 

Paloma
Combine the grapefruit juice, lime juice, and simple syrup in a glass, then stir until mixed. Stir in the tequila of your choice. Add ice cubes and top off with club soda. Serve.

Thoughts

A little more interesting than the V&T, this drink plays with less common flavors that are often ignored in a brunch setting.

If this drink doesn’t quite do it for you, here are some variations to switch up this versatile cocktail:

1. Scrap the simple syrup and replace the club soda with tonic to up the bitterness
2. Replace the club soda with Sprite or flavored seltzer to increase sweetness and build flavor.
3. Use chili salt and a thin slice of jalapeno or serrano pepper as a nod to the spice of the Tabasco-heavy Bloody Mary.
4. Further amplify the citrus by boosting the grapefruit and lime, or by adding other juices like that of a blood orange. The amplification of citrus will create a taste profile that mimosa fans will love.

FRENCH 75

Citrusy, bitter, light, and most importantly Champagne based

Ingredients

• 2 Parts gin
• 3 Parts dry sparkling wine
• 1 Part lemon juice
• 1 Part simple syrup
• Ice Cubes
• Lemon peel (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Using a cocktail shaker, aggressively shake all ingredients but the wine for a good 15 seconds, then pour and top with chilled wine. If garnishing, use a paring knife to cut a long thin spiral of peel and curl it around your finger to make a twist. Place the twist over your filled glass.

Thoughts

The French 75 is very light and delicate, with just enough acid and bitterness to cut through high fat dishes, such as eggs benedict. This cocktail really spotlights the alcohol, so if you’re going to splurge on liquor that isn’t Barton’s now’s the time.