Brunch time! The Basics for an Alcohol-Free brunch
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Several friends have reached out recently (now that we’re allowed to socialize again!) to ask about what alcohol-free products to buy and where. Specifically, I’ve had a lot of requests for brunch drinks. Although brunch is the best of both worlds when it comes to food, it’s tricky when you’re planning drinks other than coffee. The best part about alcohol-free options for brunch though is that you don’t have to worry about whether it’s too early to be boozy.
TL;DR
My recommendations for an alcohol-free brunch menu that is low fuss and high taste includes:
Bubbles - double duty as a straight drink or a Mimosa (NOT a Mom-osa)
Grapefruit Spritz (or a Grapefruit Gin Fizz if you’re fancy) - A fresh but grownup option
Two types of beer (a wheat beer and a pale ale) AND a fruit-based brew like Mikkeller
AF Caeser (of course!) - see our recipe here!
Where to buy everything in Canada is here:
For U.S. readers, too many AF shops to list so start with BetterRhodes.com!
Let’s get started shall we!
Pink Bubbles
Nothing says brunch like bubbles, and it’s a great accompaniment to almost all brunchy foods. The best thing about alcohol-free sparkling wine is that the bubbles add the same elegance as a boozy version, and with a good quality product, you don’t even taste the missing alcohol. The two best sparkling Rose wines we’ve tried are NoughtyAF from Thomson & Scott (UK) and OddBird (Sweden).
Something Fresh But Grownup - Grapefruit Spritz
Easy like Sunday morning is the name of the game for brunch, so you don’t really want to be busting out the cocktail shaker. However, you’ll want something fresh and grownup, regardless of whether its a summer patio brunch or a winter morning. A Grapefruit Spritzer is a close cousin of Grapefruit Gin Fizz, but less complicated. A fizz generally has egg white in it to make it fizz in the shaker, and is served in a coupe glass traditionally. Remove all that fuss with only three ingredients. Pour 1.5 oz of an alcohol-free gin over ice - SexyAF Viirgiin is the top pick for this drink because it’s more floral than juniper, followed by Lyre’s or Free Spirit. Top with a grapefruit soda like Ting! or FeverTree Sparkling Grapefruit.
Another option is fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice (about half a grapefruit’s worth) and a nice quality sparkling water. You can add a small amount of a sweetener (simple syrup, or any kind you have on hand will do) to take the edge off the slightly bitter grapefruit juice.
Image courtesy of spoonfulofflavour.com
Beer at Brunch? Why not!
Lots of people will agree that brunch is more lunch than breakfast, so why not have a beer? Guests generally fall into two categories when it comes to beer - they either like the hops in an IPA or they don’t. Providing a wheat beer and a Pale Ale or something similar will cover your bases. Right now, Libra North Cape Pale Ale and Wellbeing Wheat Beer are on our radar. However, if you’re adventurous, a fruitier beer is a perfect match for brunch. We’ve tried and love Mikkeller Limbo Riesling. It’s a Flemish non-alcoholic sour beer, with Riesling juice from the Mikkeller vineyards. It’s a great option to wash down that Salmon Benedict. Their Raspberry Sour is great as well. There are lots of other brands on the market that make fruitier brews, but do your research first!
If you’re planning an event, and want more suggestions, drop us a line!
