A good kid knows that celebrating Mom isn’t reserved for a Hallmark holiday. But taking time to show your love, appreciation and care on Mother’s Day is a prime excuse to pull out all the stops and make her feel extra special. What better way to do this than with the time-honored tradition of a thoughtfully prepared brunch?
Naturally, a Wine Enthusiast-approved Mother’s Day brunch is centered around outstanding drinks (whether she’s a wine, cocktail or teetotaler mom), top-notch food and the people that come together over them. With that in mind, we’ve corralled some of our favorite recipes, bottles and equipment to help you pull off an event that will earn you favorite-child status (and have your mom bragging for years).
WE Recommend
Get to Know: Ruggeri Prosecco
This Mother’s Day, show your appreciation with the perfect gift: Ruggeri Prosecco. Elevate the day with this elegant bubbly, perfectly paired with a spread of fresh fruits, cheeses, smoked salmon, and pastries. With its crisp bubbles and delicate flavors, Ruggeri Prosecco embodies the essence of celebration, making it the ideal gift to honor Mom and create cherished memories together.
SPONSORED
The Drinks
First things first: Consider what your mom enjoys drinking and choose accordingly.
Mimosas are hard to beat, and this recipe—a simple two-to-one ratio of sparkling wine to orange juice—is hard to beat. Any type of sparkling wine will do, but if you can, splurge for Champagne since it’s a special day. Another alternative to this classic brunch cocktail is the Sunshine Sipper, a blush-toned mixture of sparkling rosé, Cocci Americano, lavender bitters and lemon juice.
Other options for before-noon gatherings? The caffeinated carajillo and effervescent spritzes, including last year’s drink of the summer, the Hugo spritz. Low- and no-abv cocktails are also great, sessionable ways to make sure the party keeps going. There’s also something celebratory about a frozen cocktail, especially if the weather is skewing warmer—this frozen Painkiller, amped up with a hearty glug of rum, does the trick quite nicely. And if you’re planning a big celebration, a batched cocktail is the secret weapon of bartenders who’d rather be socializing than breaking a sweat with a shaker. For moms who like a stiff drink, this bourbon and Aperol-spiked Paper Plane recipe is easy to scale up into big batches.
Of course, for the oenophile, an easy-drinking spring wine is perfect for the season. We’ve also got recommendations for other of-the-moment wines, whether your mom is a lover of buttery Chardonnay or high-acidity Chenin Blanc. You could also snag a top red wine bottle and go the sangria route.
Below are some products to equip your drink station.
Wine Enthusiast Brilliance! Shatterproof Tritan Outdoor Stemless Wine Glasses- Set of 6 (Assorted Colors)
Universal glasses made from impact-resistant BPA-free Eastman Tritan™ copolyester. Won’t break, scratch, cloud or crack.
$43.99 Wine Enthusiast
Wine Enthusiast Deluxe 8-Piece Barware Set – Mirror Finish
Luxurious wine and cocktail serving set includes iceless bottle chiller ice bucket, ice scoop, cocktail shaker, jigger, bar strainer, stirrer and tray
$29.99 Wine Enthusiast
L’Atelier du Vin Bubbles Celebration Champagne Flutes (Set of 2)
Designed by internationally renowned glass artists Monica Guggisberg and Philip Baldwin.
$174.99 Wine Enthusiast
Handblown Moroccan Cone Jug Glass Pitcher – Green
Handblown from recycled beer and wine bottles.
Perfect for serving all types of cold beverages, like batch cocktails, water, iced tea and more.
The Food
The beautiful thing about a meal that’s not quite breakfast, not quite lunch is that the menu is extremely flexible and easy to tailor to your mom.
In the appetizers department, think about foods that will be easy to prepare and snack on while people arrive: mini quiches (yes, the ’80s are calling), charcuterie, a cheese board and deviled eggs are all crowd-pleasing options and offer beautiful opportunities for plating. If you feel comfortable shucking a few dozen bivalves, these margarita-inspired oysters on the half shell will certainly turn heads (and taste buds). And if you're going fancy? No one was ever mad at a caviar-topped sea bream tartare.
Dips are never a bad idea, either. We're into classic pimento cheese, a zippy black bean dip and this visually stunning spinach artichoke dip complete with a bread bowl. Need more dips? We've got you covered, along with wine pairings to go with.
For the main course, breakfast shrimp and grits, a vegetable scramble or a veggie-packed breakfast bowl are all solid options. We're also partial to this elegant plateful of scallops with roasted fennel and brown-buttered pine nuts and this colorful salad of thinly sliced beets and mango. Make-ahead dishes are great ways to ensure that brunch runs smoothly, too, like a coconut milk and lime-spiked sea bream ceviche, which benefits from a 30-minute cure in the fridge, and an elevated porcini mushroom carpaccio with blue cheese and marjoram, which needs to sit for a full hour before it's served.
And don’t forget something sweet, like a Dutch Baby pancake or prosecco-infused plum sorbet. When in doubt, you can't go wrong with red wine brownies or a glazed apple skillet cake.
The icing on the proverbial cake? We’ve rounded up some cook’s tools and serving pieces below to make your recipes shine.
Serve Salad Set and Oak Base
Glass bowl mouth-blown by skilled artisans in Europe. Square base and salad servers made from FSC-certified, sustainability sourced oak.
$150 Wine Enthusiast
Acacia Wood and Marble Lazy Susan 16-Piece Serving Set
Lazy Susan serving board features two removable marble inserts that can be placed in the fridge before guests arrive keeps food chilled when serving. Includes 3 cheese knives, 3 metal serving picks, 3 metal serving spoons, 3 ceramic bowls and 1 ceramic spiral dish.
$179.99 Wine Enthusiast
Fortessa Melamine Rectangular Tray - 18" X 10"
Durable, lightweight melamine for easy, elegant service indoors and outdoors. Available in 2 finishes: wood and bianco marble. Break-resistant and dishwasher safe.
$30 Wine Enthusiast
Fortessa Street Eats Melamine Paper Plates - Set of 6
Restaurant durable melamine is great for indoor and outdoor entertaining. Heat resistant up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Break-resistant and dishwasher safe; not for use in microwave.
$30 Wine Enthusiast
All-In-One Acacia Wood Cheese Board and Wine Decanter Serving Set
Twelve-piece set includes 1 cheese board with storage drawer, 1 quartz insert, 1 decanter, 1 spiral aerator, 1 iron decanter stand, 3 ceramic serving bowls, 3 stainless steel cheese knives, 1 corkscrew.
$166.99 Wine Enthusiast
Eco-Friendly Collapsible Linen Food Tents (Set of 2)
Easily pop open and fit over plates to protect food from flies, bug and other critters.
$49 Wine EnthusiastSetting the Scene
You’ve got the food and drinks down. Now, consider the ambiance.
Perhaps consider a portable fireplace in case it’s a chilly morning? Or a waterproof blanket if you’ll be picnicking on the lawn, plus games for entertainment. Here's everything you need to ensure brunch success this Mother's Day.
Solo Stove Mesa XL Tabletop Firepit
Dual Fuel capacity and Signature 360° Airflow provide fast, easy ignition and smokeless fires.
$99.99 Wine Enthusiast
Insulated 2-Bottle Wine Picnic Cooler Bag
Generously sized cooler holds two bottles of wine, hot/cold foods and picnic accessories. Insulated center compartment for casserole dishes, cheese boards; side pocket fits two standard wine bottles. Front zip storage with pockets for napkins, flatware, plates, and accessories.
$49.99
Wine Print Waterproof Roll-Up Picnic Blanket with Carry Strap
Oversized blanket with filling and waterproof backing offers comfortable seating for picnicking anywhere. Cotton front in royal blue printed with original wine graphic in white; stylish fringed edges.
$29.99 Wine Enthusiast
Reclaimed Wine Barrel Axe Throwing Target Set
Includes axe board with engraved score rings, three throwing axes with protective covers and easel. Easy set up and disassembly for storage and transportation. Handcrafted from poplar wood and authentic wine barrel staves.
$379 Wine Enthusiast
Reclaimed Barrelhead Ring Toss Dart Set
Includes dartboard and six twisted rope rings with leather-wrapped handles.
$249.95 Wine EnthusiastThe Gifts
While science shows that experiences, not things, are the key to happiness, gifting a thoughtful present will be the cherry on top of your Mother’s Day brunch. Think of something that’ll get a lot of mileage because each time she uses it, she’ll be reminded of how wonderful you are. (We’re quite partial to bags and totes, which can often be monogrammed.)
Wine Enthusiast 2-in-1 Waxed Canvas Pickleball Insulated 3-Bottle Wine Bag
Stylish, versatile carryall for Pickleball and wine travel can be used on and off the court. Includes removable insulated 3-bottle wine bottle divider for standard Bordeaux bottles and hard ice pack.
$79 Wine Enthusiast
Wine Enthusiast Crossbody Insulated Puffer Wine Bag
Fully insulated main pocket with zip closer keeps single wine bottle and other beverages cool for hours; accommodates standard 750 mL bottles. Removable, adjustable shoulder strap. Zip front pocket holds keys, cards, cash, cell phones, and other belongings
$39 Wine Enthusiast
Kywie Camel Suede Bottle Chiller
Shearling style bottle chiller keeps pre-chilled wine, water and other beverages cold for up to 4 hours. Handmade in Europe from 100% Textel sheepskin. Light and foldable for at-home and on-the-go use. Accommodates bottles up to 1L; best fit: Champagne, Prosecco, Burgundy and Pinot Noir bottles.
$63.99 Wine Enthusiast
Striped Canvas and Leather 6-Bottle Weekender Wine Bag with Bottom Storage Compartment
Roomy center compartment with removable padded liner securely holds up to six bottles of wine. Features versatile bottom storage with protective metal feet and exterior zip pocket. Two-way top zip closure; roll-top handles with adjustable crossbody straps. Made from durable canvas and Monaco tan leather.
$129.99Published: May 6, 2024
