Three Easy Easter Cocktails

Easter will soon be here, and Easter Brunch is always one of the busiest Sundays of the year.  Why not boost your check average by offering some festive Easter themed cocktails?  Sure, Bloody Marys and Mimosas are brunch standards, and the Chocolate Martini might seem to be a natural for a holiday that is so connected to candy.  But here are three libations that take things in a slightly different direction, yet are still evocative of the Holiday.


Easter Grass

Begin by rimming a Collins glass with lemon and colored sugar, and fill with ice.
In cocktail shaker combine the following:
1 oz Limoncello
1 oz Melon liqueur
1/2 oz London Dry Gin
3 oz Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand

Shake gently and strain into glass.  Fill to top with lemon-lime soda pop.
Garnish creatively with lemon slice, jellybean and lemon and lime zests.

The Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc gives this drink a nice grassy, citrus note that is accented by the gin and Limoncello.  The melon liqueur and lemon-lime soda balance things by providing sweetness.



Pink Ribbon

In a cocktail shaker muddle the flesh of 1/4 pink grapefruit and 1 Tsp light agave syrup
add
2 oz gold Tequila
1 oz Triple Sec
2 oz Ruby Grapefruit juice

Strain into rocks glass filled with ice.  Fill to top with dry Prosecco.  Garnish simply with grapefruit wedge.

This play on the classic Margarita shakes things up by adding the lovely color of pink grapefruit.  The Prosecco float gives it a pop, and lightens everything up.






Funny Bunny

In cocktail shaker muddle 1 large, sliced ripe strawberry and the juice of one lemon wedge
add
1 Tsp simple syrup
1 oz Cognac
1 oz Ginger liqueur

Strain into Champagne flute and fill to top with dry Prosecco.  Garnish with strawberry slice and lemon zest.

This cocktail can work well for large batches for brunch service if strawberries, lemon juice and simple syrup are pureed together in advance, then strained.  Mix with Cognac and Ginger liqueur, and hold.  Simply pour into flute and top with Prosecco for service.