Beverages - Drinks for Your Brunch

Drinks can be the starter for your event or accompany the meal. Brunch beverages can range from simple juice and coffee to punch and other flavorful choices.

These recipes often feature fruits as ingredients. Try experimenting with fruits in season to create your own specialty. Cheers!

If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact us at recipes@brunchandbeyond.com.

Cafe Mexicano	Grapefruit Julep
Frosty Mocha Cooler	Strawberry Orange Juice
Ginger Iced Tea

Cafe Mexicano
Makes 7 servings

8 c. cold water
1/2 c. grated piloncillo* or 1/2 c. packed dark brown sugar
1/2 oz. unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped
2 whole cloves
1 stick cinnamon, broken into halves
1 c. dry regular grind coffee
1 tsp. vanilla

1. Heat water, piloncillo, chocolate, cloves, and cinnamon to boiling in a 3-quart saucepan. Reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
2. Stir in coffee. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in vanilla. Strain coffee through 4 layers of cheesecloth or coffee filters.
3. Serve hot or over ice, if desired.

*Piloncillo is made from pure, unrefined sugar pressed into a cone shape. It tastes very similar to brown sugar, and you can use it in any recipe that calls for dark brown sugar.

Frosty Mocha Cooler
Makes 4 servings

1 c. milk or half-and-half
3 tbs. instant chocolate drink mix
2 tbs. instant coffee granules
2 tbs. honey
1 tsp. vanilla extract
16 ice cubes

1. Place all ingredients in a blender. Cover and blend on high speed until smooth.
2. Pour into chilled glasses and serve immediately.

Ginger Iced Tea
Makes 3 quarts

1 c. iced tea mix with lemon & sugar
4 c. water
2 liters ginger ale, chilled
Ice cubes

1. In a large pitcher, combine the iced tea mix and water. Refrigerate until chilled.
2. Just before serving, add ginger ale.
3. Serve over ice.

Grapefruit Julep
A refreshing, alcohol-free twist on the mint julep
Makes 6 servings

1 qt. grapefruit juice
1/2 c. fresh lime juice
1/2 c. chopped fresh mint leaves
1/4 c. sugar
2 c. sparkling water, chilled
Fresh mint sprigs

1. Mix grapefruit juice, lime juice, mint leaves, and sugar in a 2-quart pitcher. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
2. Strain mixture to remove mint leaves, then mix in the sparkling water.
3. Serve in tall glasses with ice and garnish with mint sprigs.

Strawberry Orange Juice
Makes 8 servings

8 c. orange juice
1 10-oz. pkg. frozen sliced strawberries, thawed

Combine orange juice and strawberries in a large pitcher until well blended.