Stock Your Back Bar for Mother’s Day Brunch Cocktails
Spring Brunch Aperitifs: Bottles, Spritzes, and a Simple Formula
To make your brunch planning as seamless as possible, we have curated a selection of our favorite spring essentials. These bottles represent the breadth of our aperitif aisle, from the traditional roots of Europe to the modern craft movement.
The Foundation: Sparkling & Soda for Cocktails
Prosecco or Cava: Look for "Brut" or "Extra Dry" to keep the sweetness in check. Try the Foss Marai "Guia" Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Millesimato Brut $21.99 or the CVNE Brut Cava Penedès $11.99.
High-Quality Soda Water: Top Hat Club Soda (4 x 7.5oz can) $5.99 or Fever-Tree Premium Club Soda (500ml) $2.99 provide a finer bubble that won’t disappear in the glass.
The Bitter & Bold (For the Classicist)
Scarlet "Aperitivo" Bitter Liqueur (700ml) $54.99 This is a stunning, craft-oriented alternative to the big brands. It offers a vibrant, citrus-forward profile with a clean, refined bitterness that makes a world-class Spritz.
Scarlet "Radice" Amaro (700ml) $64.99 For those who want more "root" and "earth" in their glass, the Radice provides a deeper, forest-floor complexity that stands up beautifully to a splash of grapefruit soda.
The Wine-Based Wonders (For the Brunch Traditionalist)
Lillet Blanc Aperitif Wine (750ml) $23.99 92WE and Lillet Rosé Aperitif Wine (750ml) $23.99 93WE These remain the gold standard for a lighter, more floral afternoon.
LAIE Vermut Rojo Spanish Vermouth (1L) $32.99 A beautiful, modern expression that brings a touch of Mediterranean sunshine to the glass.
Tximista Txakolina Vermouth Blanco (750ml) $26.99 These Basque vermouths are electric, offering a bright acidity and herbaceousness that is perfect for a pre-meal palate cleanser.
Gonzalez Byass "La Copa" Extra-Seco Fino Sherry Vermouth de Jerez (750ml) $26.99 Based on historic sherry recipes, these offer a rich, nutty depth that completely transforms a standard spritz into something far more contemplative.
The Template: 3-2-1
Use the below formula to make standout cocktails with the ingredients of your choice!
Fill a large wine glass with fresh ice.
Add 3 oz of sparkling wine.
Add 1 oz (a splash) of Soda Water.
Garnish generously! (Orange for bitters, lemon for Lillet, or olives for a savory Tximista twist).
- Josh Gelfand, K&L Spirits Buyer