Mother's Day Cocktails

Shake Up Mother’s Day: 5 Inspired Cocktails Worth Serving

8 Minute read

09 May 2025

Jennifer Richmond

Journalist

Copy link

Ditch the default Mimosa this year—these creative, crowd-pleasing brunch cocktails will make Mom’s day feel extra special.

When it comes to Mother’s Day, three things reliably show up: brunch, flowers, and cocktails. Sure, a thoughtful menu and a beautiful bouquet matter—but the drink in Mom’s glass deserves just as much attention. Ideally, it should pair well with the meal, taste fantastic, and strike the right balance between celebratory and smooth.

The Mimosa may be the undisputed queen of brunch cocktails—simple, citrusy, and endlessly popular. But just because it’s the classic doesn’t mean it’s the only worthy option. In fact, there are five other festive drinks that offer a fun and flavorful way to switch things up.

Bellini

If you love a Mimosa but want something a touch sweeter, the Bellini is a brilliant alternative. Another two-ingredient cocktail, it swaps orange juice for peach nectar, creating a sun-kissed elixir that practically shouts spring. First poured in 1948 by Giuseppe Cipriani—head barman at the legendary Harry’s Bar in Venice—the drink took its name from the pink tones in a painting by Italian Renaissance artist Giovanni Bellini. It was a hit from the start and remains a staple at the historic Venetian bar.

To make it, simply combine two parts Champagne or sparkling wine with one part peach nectar in a chilled flute. Garnish with a peach slice and toast to the season.

Champagne Bowler

Mother’s Day is all about celebrating Mom—so what better way to raise a glass to her than with Champagne? And since no fruit captures the season’s essence quite like the strawberry, the Champagne Bowler is a festive and flavorful choice. Lighter than it sounds but stronger than it looks, the Bowler adds a touch of cognac and white wine for extra depth, without sacrificing freshness.

This cocktail takes a bit more effort than a Mimosa or Bellini, but it’s well worth it. Muddle three ripe strawberries in a cocktail shaker. Add ½ oz simple syrup, ½ oz cognac, 1 oz dry white wine, and ice. Shake vigorously, then strain into an ice-filled goblet. Top with 3–4 oz Champagne or sparkling wine.
Serving a crowd? Multiply all ingredients except the Champagne, combine in a pitcher, and set it out with chilled bottles so guests can pour their own.

Aperol Spritz

The Aperol Spritz is a bright, low-ABV crowd-pleaser—refreshing, bittersweet, and just the thing to sip alongside a springtime brunch. Aperol, the vivid orange Italian aperitif at the heart of the drink, is designed to stimulate the appetite. While spritz-style cocktails date back to the 1800s, the official Aperol Spritz formula didn’t debut until the 1950s—and its popularity has only grown since, especially as a brunch staple around the world.

Best of all, it’s refreshingly easy to make. In a wine goblet filled with ice, combine 3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, and 1 part soda water. Stir gently, garnish with a slice of orange, and serve.

French 75

If you’re aiming for something a bit stronger that still feels celebratory, the French 75 is a classic choice. Bright with lemon and bracing with gin, it’s a cocktail with roots in Prohibition-era France that has stood the test of time. Light, fizzy, and sophisticated, it’s easy to batch for a crowd and a pleasure to sip.

To make one, shake ½ ounce of lemon juice and ½ ounce of simple syrup with 1 ounce of gin over ice. Strain into a flute or coupe, then top with 2 to 3 ounces of Champagne. To serve a group, multiply the base ingredients by the number of guests and chill in a pitcher. Set it out alongside chilled bottles of sparkling wine and let guests pour their own.

Bloody Mary

Second only to the Mimosa, the Bloody Mary remains a beloved brunch staple for good reason. Built on a straightforward two-to-one ratio of tomato juice to vodka, it’s endlessly adaptable to suit any taste. If Mom likes a little heat, add horseradish or a few dashes of Tabasco. If she’s a citrus fan, squeeze in an ounce of lemon or lime juice. And if you believe no Bloody Mary is complete without a full bouquet of garnishes, go wild: olives, bacon, pickled vegetables, a celery stalk—or all of the above. For maximum customization, set up a Bloody Mary bar and let guests mix their own perfect glass.