No Mother’s Day Celebration is complete without a brunch that features a delicious, refreshing cocktail bar.  Yes, I think Mother’s Day brunch deserves to feature a variety of delicious cocktails with fresh flavors (welcome warmer weather!) as the perfect way to celebrate mom.

Because I’m not the biggest fan of a classic mimosa, but I adore sparkling wine cocktails, I thought of a better way to create a mimosa bar for this Mother’s Day brunch.  And this will be very different than your standard mimosa recipe of 1/2 juice, 1/2 bubbly, but I think it will be loved even more.

And if you were around last year, you know I discovered a new cocktail obsession:  boozy ice cubes.  Boozy ice cubes topped with sparkling wine create the perfect cocktail every time.  And here’s why.

  • Each boozy ice cube is an easy recipe that is (obviously) made ahead of time, so you can have happy hour ready to go in a snap.
  • It turns a simple cocktail into a completely customized bubbly cocktail instantly.
  • It’s a great way for everyone to control their own drink in regards to strength and sweetness.

Celebratory Brunch Set Up

I have set up a boozy ice cube bar several different ways at this point and there is no right or wrong way.  And honestly, my set up depends on the size ice cube trays I used, how many different versions I created, and the type of special occasion we’re celebrating.

If I only have one variety of the boozy ice cube cocktail, then I typically set out a champagne flute (or coupe depending on the size of the cube) and place 2-4 ice cubes into each one.  I usually have a variety since some people like their cocktails stronger than others.

If I have a variety of boozy ice cube cocktails, then I put out all sorts of glassware because I likely have a variety of sizes of ice cubes.  So I will not only use a champagne flute, but also white wine glasses, champagne coupes and maybe even a rocks glass depending on the type of ice cubes.

​When I have a variety of ice cubes, I use this handy tray to store them in.  It holds ice on the bottom and you layer the trays on top.  It did a great job keeping my ice cubes cold.  The only think I would do differently is put the trays in the freezer first just to ensure the longevity of the ice cubes.  {I got this tray on Amazon and it’s linked in Amazon and LTK both of which are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you shop using the link.}

And of course, don’t forget the bubbly. Sometimes I put out full bottles and sometimes I put out splits. It truly just depends on my mood and the vibe I am going for. And I have been using this 90 Plus Cellars Prosecco to top all sorts of bubbly cocktails lately because it never disappoints.

Boozy Ice Cube Tips

  • If you don’t have time to make the puree (in the cocktail recipe below), you can easily replace it with fresh fruit and 1 oz of simple syrup.  I would muddle the fruit into the mixing glass and then pour into each ice cube tray.
  • These ice cubes also make great non-alcoholic option as well.  Simply leave out the vodka and then top each drink with club soda or a flavored soda water.
  • Shop for a variety of ice cube trays in different sizes and shapes.  I’ve gotten several of mine from Amazon, Walmart, Homegoods, and Target.  {I do have these products saved for easy shopping and please know that these are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you shop using a link.}

5 New Ice Cube Cocktail Ideas 

For each cocktail recipe, we decided to keep it simple.  Each one is a vodka cocktail which makes it easy to explain and easier to freeze since vodka has is lower proof than, rye whiskey, bourbon or gin.

​Strawberry Basil

  • 5 Basil Leaves
  • 1 can Strawberry Drink from Trader Joe’s
  • 3 oz Strawberry Vodka
  • 2 oz Strawberry Puree
  • Garnish with fresh strawberries (or frozen if you’re keeping your drink chilled longer. 
  1. Smack the basil to wake it up and put it into your mixing glass.  
  2. Add all the ingredients and mix well.
  3. Into each ice cube section, add 1-2 basil leaves.
  4. Pour cocktail into ice cube tray.
  5. Freeze overnight. 

TIP:  This is great with fresh mint instead of basil as well.  If you’re using mint leaves, add a mint sprig into each ice section before adding the cocktail./ 

Strawberry Peach

This one is giving peach bellini vibes.  And if I’m being honest, it was totally created accidentally.  I was trying to create a twist on a peach bellini, but when I roasted the fresh strawberries and peaches next to each other on the tray, they ran together and the strawberry peach ice cube was created.  

  • 2 oz Strawberry Vodka
  • 2 oz Peach Vodka
  • 5 oz Strawberry Lemonade
  • 3 1/2 oz Simply Peach
  • 2 oz Strawberry Peach Puree
  1. Into a mixing glass or a cocktail shaker, add all of the ingredients.  
  2. Mix or shake well.
  3. Pour into ice cube tray.
  4. Freeze overnight.

TIP:  Depending on the size of your ice cube tray, you could add fresh strawberries or peaches (diced) into each section before pouring the cocktail in.  

Pomegranate

I love the flavor of pomegrante and this easy recipe is the one that will come closest to being a classic cocktail as far as brunch drinks go.

  • 6-8 oz Pomegranate Juice
  • 3 oz Pomegranate Vodka
  • Pomegranate Arils
  1. Into each ice cube section, add a few pomegranate arils (seeds).
  2. In a cocktail shaker, mix together the juice and vodka.
  3. Pour over the pomegranate seeds. 
  4. Freeze overnight.

TIP:  You could also use Pama Liqueur instead of Pomegranate vodka and it would be delicious.  

Watermelon Cucumber

When I saw this Watermelon Cucumber drink at Trader Joe’s I knew it had to become a bubbly alcoholic drink with a non-alcoholic option to accompany it. I made this one a little differently in that I measured out each ice cube section individually because I was using a large ice cube tray I had never used before.  

Into each cube section:

  • Sliced cucumber (we put 2 halves in each section)
  • 1 1/2 oz Watermelon Cucumber drink
  • 1/2 oz Cucumber Vodka
  • Splash limeade

We froze these overnight and it was definitely one of the favorites of the batch. 

Strawberry Rhubarb

Rhubarb is having a moment so I when I saw some in the frozen food section of my grocery store, I grabbed it to see what kind of spring cocktail I could create with it.

  • 5-6 oz Strawberry Rhubarb Drink from Trader Joe’s
  • 3 oz Rosé Vodka
  • 2 oz Rhubarb Puree
  • Sparkling Pink lemonade to top
  1. In a cocktail shaker or mixing glass, add the strawberry rhubarb drink, vodka and rhubarb puree.
  2. Pour into the ice cube tray.  
  3. Since I used my favorite round tray for this one I added just enough pink lemonade on top to ensure that these would come out perfectly round.  
  4. Freeze overnight.

Fresh Fruit Puree

I had never made a puree like this before, but I was inspired by a dessert blogger @eatmoreccakebycandice.  But I wanted to try this and see if this extra effort added depth to the cocktail recipe.

To make the puree:

  1. Take the fresh or frozen fruit (we used frozen).
  2. Coat in fresh lemon juice (we used Trader Joe’s Limeade because it was open.)
  3. Sprinkle a little bit of sugar (optional). Do not do this step if you’re planning on sweetening up your drinks with simple syrup or honey syrup.
  4. Roast in a 350 degree oven until you smell the deliciousness of the fruit (depending on how much fruit we were using, it was anywhere from 20-30 minutes).
  5. Transfer into a blender and blend well.  

In the past, I used to just take the fruit and a splash of bubbly or vodka and blend well (enough to allow it to blend until smooth).  And that is definitely a easy recipe and a lot less work and equally delicious.

And there you have it.  A fancy twist on a mimosa bar or a cocktail bar to turn any ordinary day into a special day.  

Other Mother’s Day Cocktails

We’ve made a lot of cocktails recently that would be perfect for your Mother’s Day celebration.  

​Bubbly Side of Life Communities

As always, if you’d like to see the behind the scenes of these creations, we invite you to join us on Instagram.  

And if you need an easy way to organize your favorite bubbly recipes, head over to Pinterest and join us there.