Brunch gives you an excellent excuse to enjoy cocktails on Sunday morning without presumptuous stares. So why not get some friends together this weekend and host a relaxing brunch on the patio before the summer afternoon heat sets in?

 

When hosting a brunch, keep in mind how many people will be attending. Be sure not to include menu items that are labor intensive, like omelets, for larger groups. Keep it simple. That way you, like your guests, are able to relax and sleep in before the rat race starts up again on Monday. Include fruit and some kind of bread item, whether it be waffles, banana-nut bread, muffins, etc. Quiches are also a popular brunch menu item incorporating both eggs and meat. Plus, quiches can be made heavy or light.

 

And now, the best part - drinks. A Bloody Mary goes well with a heartier menu (think meats and eggs) while a fruity Bellini goes well with lighter menu items (fruit salad, quiche and muffins). The Screwdriver is a delicious traditional cocktail often served with brunch. Mimosas are a more buoyant version of the Screwdriver if you still have tasks on your “to-do” list before the work week starts back up. Or add sparkling wine to pineapple and mango juices for a Tropical Fizz. White and rosé wines also go well with brunch menus.