Calling all morning drinkers. You don’t have to be at the beach or at a party to start drinking early. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a drink before noon from time to time.
Maybe you’re recovering from a bender from the night before. Perhaps you’re looking for a way to chill out on a Saturday morning. Whatever the reason (or the excuse), a morning cocktail is a great way to start your day.
On the weekdays, cocktails are typically reserved for after five o’clock. But on the weekends, there are no rules for when you can enjoy a drink.
Still, there is a general consensus on what drinks are socially acceptable to drink in the morning. At the end of the day, you can do whatever you like. But if you’re serving morning drinks for a crowd, you should aim to use concoctions that are fit for the AM.
When it’s early in the morning, you want to prepare a light cocktail on your stomach but bold enough to wake you up. Generally, morning cocktails are lighter drinks mixed with fruit, coffee, or tea.
So what are the best cocktails to drink in the morning? What should you be sipping on at brunch?
Fortunately for you, we’ve put together a detailed list of the best morning cocktails to try.
Mimosa
Everybody knows about the Mimosa. It is probably the most popular morning cocktail there is, and for a good reason.
This drink is incredibly light and fruity, fusing equal amounts of orange juice and sparkling wine. For the best results, use Champagne. You can also add some orange liqueur to add even more punch to your drink.
Since it’s made with wine rather than liquor, the alcohol content is relatively low, making it one of the easiest morning cocktails to drink. The Mimosa is also one of the most socially acceptable morning drinks.
Bloody Mary
Another one of our favorites in the morning is the Bloody Mary. This cocktail is made from a tomato juice mix combined with liquor and spices, and garnishes. It’s famous for its bold, spicy taste.
Traditionally, the Bloody Mary is made with vodka. But you can substitute this spirit with any liquor you want.
This drink can get pretty complex, especially when you start to throw in add-ons. For your Bloody Mary, some additional ingredients you can use include sea salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce, celery, and green olives.
The Bloody Mary is kind of like a drinkable meal, and this is even more true when you consider that some restaurants top their Bloody Marys with shrimp, pickles, and even roast chicken. The ingredients used might sound more like the recipe for a steak than a cocktail.
Keep in mind that tomatoes, though they are considered a fruit, are not very sweet. A well-made Bloody Mary should be spicy, tangy, and slightly bitter.
Screwdriver
There are few cocktails as simple to prepare as the Screwdriver. All you need for this drink is some vodka and orange juice.
Historically, this drink was made with a 2:1 ratio of vodka to orange juice. The great thing about making cocktails yourself, though, is that you can mess around with the ingredients. If you like your cocktails strong, go for some extra vodka. If you prefer a sweeter, lighter drink, use a lot of orange juice.
Watermelon Martini
Now, we know what you’re thinking. Martinis aren’t meant for the mornings. Typically, they’re far too bold. This all changes when you create a flavored Martini. Unlike their traditional counterpart, flavored martinis are much smoother and easier to drink.
To make this drink, you’re obviously going to need some watermelon or watermelon juice. Mix one part of vodka or gin and one part of dry vermouth with watermelon juice.
For some additional sweetness, swap out the vermouth for a flavored liqueur like Triple Sec. This drink packs quite a punch, so it may be wise to go for some lighter notes.
Tequila Sunrise
We don’t often think of tequila as a popular morning drink, either. But that’s why the Tequila Sunrise was invented.
As the name suggests, this drink is best enjoyed when you first wake up. The drink literally looks like the sun rising. The bottom half of the drink has a beautiful orange-red hue, while the upper half of the drink transitions to a bright yellow.
The orange-red half of the drink comes from grenadine syrup, which is added last. The syrup sinks to the bottom of the glass, creating the sunrise effect.
This drink is the definition of an Instagram-worthy cocktail. Not only does it look amazing, but it also tastes great as well.
Irish Coffee
Irish coffee is one of the smoothest cocktails to drink in the morning. Its alcohol content is virtually unnoticeable, but it does have a nice kick.
Essentially, this drink is a blend of coffee and Irish whiskey. Besides these two ingredients, the only other necessary component is cream, which is poured on top of the drink as an additional layer. It often includes brown sugar as a sweetener as well.
It’s ideal to use fresh whipped cream that hasn’t been sweetened so that you can really get the full flavor of the drink.
You can also use Baileys Original Irish Cream as a substitute for Irish whiskey, a cream liqueur designed for coffee and dessert beverages.
White Sangria
You’ve probably heard of sangria before. But what about white sangria?
Sangria is a delicate mixed drink made from wine, brandy, sliced fruit, and sweetener such as honey. Occasionally, soda is used instead of brandy.
White sangria is a variation of this drink using white wine instead of red wine. The flavors of this drink are much less intense than traditional red sangria, making it perfect for sipping in the morning. This combination also contains more fruity notes, making it a more viable option for the mornings. To make this cocktail even sweeter, use tons of fruit. Our favorites to use are peach and mango.
Bellini
Who here like their bubbles? The Bellini is a sparkling cocktail that hails from Italy. It is made from bubbly prosecco and peach nectar.
This drink is ideal for the summertime, but it can be enjoyed during any season. It is best enjoyed alongside brunch foods like omelets and flatbreads.
Greyhound
One of the best strategies you can use to enhance any cocktail is by adding grapefruit juice. Grapefruit is a highly acidic fruit, yet its flavors are very subtle. These qualities make it a great ingredient for mixed drinks.
One popular cocktail that utilizes grapefruit in its recipe is the Greyhound, inspired by the Screwdriver. Instead of orange juice, though, it calls for grapefruit juice.
For your liquor, you can use either gin or vodka. A classic greyhound is made with a 4:1 ratio of grapefruit juice to liquor. If needed, you can always make it a bit stronger.
This drink looks just like a regular glass of grapefruit juice. But don’t be fooled. This hard juice mixture is sure to have you feeling good before noon.
Takeaway
There are so many fun ways to experiment with these drinks. Make sure to spice things up a little and play around with the ratios of your ingredients. While some may look down upon drinking in the morning, we encourage it; as long as it’s done responsibly.
You can enjoy a morning cocktail with some brunch, or you can drink it on its own. Some morning foods that work well with alcohol are pancakes, biscuits, bacon, and eggs. When you pair your cocktail with food, you can pace yourself better for the rest of the day. You don’t want to drink on an empty stomach. We’ve all been there, and we know it isn’t a fun experience.
