Wine Writing Team on March 27, 2020 0 Comments Champagne brunch is more than a combination of bubbles, breakfast and lunch. It’s a time to celebrate special occasions, get together with your friends to catch up on life, or simply do something nice for the one you love. Whatever your reason is for hosting champagne brunch, you want the morning to be perfect. Here are some tips to help. Have Fun with Food Your menu could make or break your brunch. Food is one of the things people remember the most from a gathering, especially if something is wrong with the food, you ran out, it was served cold, or it was overcooked or undercooked. However, if it’s done right, they’ll also remember if it was delicious, and presentation is key. Some people avoid hosting a champagne brunch because they think they’ll have to wake up at the crack of dawn to start cooking. This is not the case! A good brunch usually consists of breakfast-type foods, but that doesn’t mean just eggs, bacon and toast. Here are some ideas to make the food preparation low maintenance and less stressful. Try make-ahead recipes There are many egg bakes, quiches, frittatas, and breakfast casseroles that can be made the night before. Then all you have to do in the morning is stick it in the oven. Pastries such as muffins or scones can also be made 1-2 days before, or they also freeze well. Set up a breakfast buffet Another idea is to set up a breakfast buffet. A bagel bar with different spreads and toppings, a self-serve yogurt parfait bar where guests can add fresh fruit, nuts, and granola, or a build-your-own pancake board, charcuterie style! Mix Up Your Mimosas Coffee is a necessity and mimosas are a must! As the iconic drink of brunching, the key to a good mimosa is the champagne – or is it? The best champagne for mimosas is actually an alternative to champagne. Instead, opt for choosing a sparkling wine, such as Cava or Prosecco. Cava is from Spain and Prosecco is from Italy, but they are both dry sparkling wines that mix great with orange juice to create a delicious mimosa. They’re also affordable at about $12-$16 a bottle. Avoid using inexpensive sparkling wine or you’ll risk giving your guests a headache, but don’t splurge on an expensive bottle either since you’ll be diluting it with juice. Instead, try these brands: Korbel Prosecco Cupcake Prosecco Zonin Prosecco Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut Cava Segura Viudas Reserva Brut Cava If you’re going with traditional orange juice, go with fresh, pulp-free orange juice that’s not from concentrate. But don’t be afraid to mix it up and try variations using different juices, such as pomegranate, pineapple, mango, strawberry or watermelon. It’s also a good idea to have a mocktail option available for guests, just in case. Other mimosa mixology tips Chill to the right temperature. The juice should be cold and the sparkling wine should be chilled in the fridge or a wine cooler at a temperature of 47 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Start with a 50/50 ratio of sparkling wine and juice and then adjust from there. Pour in the sparkling wine first, then the juice, to prevent overflow. Hold your glass at a slight tilt when pouring the sparkling wine to preserve carbonation. Don’t worry about stirring the mimosa. The pouring action alone will stir it enough. Serve the mimosas in champagne flutes. Not only do they look pretty, but the tall design helps retain bubbles. If you really want to get fancy, add some garnish, like an orange wedge on the rim of the glass. How you serve and present the mimosas can go one of two ways. You could set up a mimosa bar and have your guests self-serve, or you could mix-up pitchers of mimosas and have them set out on the table. Both ways take minimal preparation on your part, so you really can’t go wrong! Decide on Decor While the food and beverage are being enjoyed at your brunch, the decor will provide aesthetics and atmosphere that help make the morning memorable. It doesn’t have to be extravagant. In fact, simple is often better! If you’re hosting champagne brunch to celebrate a holiday, then your decor could reflect that day. If it’s a bridal shower or baby shower, then think about the personality of the person and come up with a theme. If you’re hosting brunch “just because” fresh flowers in mason jars or mismatched vases placed on the table always adds a touch of elegance. If you’re going for a more sophisticated feel, use real dishes and flatware, but there’s nothing wrong with paper goods either. Hosting the perfect brunch means that you enjoy it too. Make it easy on yourself by planning ahead, setting the atmosphere, and surrounding yourself with food, drinks, decor and people that will help make it memorable.
