If you’re reading this, you’re probably too old to get away with making a Mother’s Day gift for your mom unless it’s one of these delicious spring-appropriate cocktails. So forget flowers and give Mom what she really wants, a finely crafted cocktail.
The Mother’s Day cocktails below were chosen for their spring and brunch appropriateness, flavor, and appearance, and probably just a touch by the types of drinks the two moms — my wife and mother— I know best enjoy.
The Momtini
This beautiful-looking (and tasting) cocktail is the perfect drink to make for mom. Not only will she be impressed with your skills and enjoy the flavor, but she’ll also have the opportunity for a nice Mother’s Day photo op.
Ingredients
2 oz. Dareringer Bourbon Finished in PX Sherry Casks
0.75 oz. Lemon Juice
0.50 oz. Rose Syrup
0.25 oz. Carpano Antica Vermouth
0.25 oz. Awuafaba
2 Dashes Angostura Cocoa Bitters Lavender and Ube Powder for Garnish
Directions
Mix all ingredients except for Angostura Cocoa Bitters and lavender and ube powder in a shaker cup half filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a wine glass or other similar cocktail glass, garnish with Angostura Cocoa Bitters and Lavender and Ube Powder.
Spring Rose
This rose-themed cocktail is powered by a coffee and cognac liqueur and is a good choice for moms who are fans of espresso martinis.
Ingredients
2 oz Grand Brulot
1 oz Rosemary Liqueur
0.5 oz Agave Syrup
Directions
Combine and shake and strain into a frozen small rocks glass Garnish with rosemary sprig
Pallini Spritz
Spritz cocktails are the fastest-growing cocktail category in the U.S. and this limoncello twist on the style will show you just why. Light, refreshing and celebratory they are everything a mom might want on Mother’s Day. This can also be made without alcohol, perfect for expecting mothers, as well as moms who prefer less booze for other reasons.
Ingredients with alcohol
2 parts Pallini Limoncello
3 parts Prosecco
1 part Sparkling water
Ingredients without alcohol
1 part Pallini Limoncello zero
2 parts non-alcoholic sparkling wine
Directions:
Add all the ingredients in a large wine glass filled with ice and garnish with a lemon or orange slice.
The Le Moné Spritz
For a delightfully lemon-forward take on the Spritz try this easy-to-make cocktail featuring Le Moné, a citrus aperitif made in the Finger Lakes region of New York.
Ingredients
Le Moné’s Meyer Lemon
Prosecco (or another sparkling wine)
Directions
Add equal parts Le Moné’s Lemon and prosecco together over ice. Garnish with a lemon twist and green grape.
The Amante Solar Eclipse Spritz
Created by Amante 1530 in honor of the recent solar eclipse this is perfect for the star- and moon-gazing mom who loves a classic Spritz but is looking for a little more character in the drink.
Ingredients
2 parts Amante 1530
3 parts prosecco
1 part quality soda water
Amalfi lemon wedge
Directions
Combine Amante 1530, prosecco and soda water over ice, squeeze an Amalfi lemon wedge once over the glass then drop it in mix and enjoy.
Mezcal Spritz
If your mom is a fan of mezcal, she’ll want to try this smokey and interesting take on the classic Spritz.
1 oz mezcal Campante
1 oz Aperol
1 oz fresh grapefruit juice
0.30 oz agave syrup
3 oz soda water
Add all ingredients (except soda) in a wine glass. Add ice to the top of the glass and stir quickly. Top with soda water.
Mayenda Elevated Margarita
If your mother likes margaritas this drink is more beautiful than any bouquet of flowers thanks to the use of hibiscus flower as rim rather than salt.
Ingredients
1.5 oz Mayenda Blanco Tequila
0.75 oz Agave Syrup
0.75 oz Lime Juice
Hibiscus Powder Dusted Glass
Directions
Prepare hibiscus powder in a coup glass. Fill a shaker with ice, add all ingredients together and shake.
Mother’s Day Bourbon Mimosa
For a mom who likes drinks with a little bit more of an alcohol kick try this bourbon mimosa recipe from Brother’s Bond.
Ingredients
1 oz Brother’s Bond Bourbon Straight Bourbon Whiskey
1 oz Grapefruit juice
1 oz Orange Juice
1 oz Champagne
Grapefruit garnish
Directions
Pour all ingredients into the glass. Top with champagne and garnish with fresh grapefruit.
Grilled Pineapple Maui Mule
This recipe from Pau Maui Vodka, distilled with pineapples in Maui, is perfect for the mom using Mother’s Day as an excuse to kick off summer vibes just a little early.
1½ oz Pau Maui Vodka
1 oz lime juice
1 oz pineapple juice
3 oz ginger beer
1 mint sprig
1 grilled pineapple slice
Crushed ice
Directions
Combine the vodka with the lime and pineapple juices in a Moscow mule mug filled with ice. Stir to combine. Garnish with a grilled pineapple slice and a mint sprig.
The French 75
This classic cocktail was featured in the film Casablanca and is a personal favorite for brunch celebrations, which makes it perfect for Mother’s Day. Made with gin, champagne, lime juice and simple syrup this ups the alcohol content over a Mimosa and brings more serious cocktail vibes in the process. Here’s a recipe.