Make This Year's Mother's Day Brunch the Best One Yet—From Home

We may not be going out for Mother’s Day brunch this year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t toast mom in style. Here are some ideas for how to celebrate mom at your restaurant-quality home this year, without sacrificing any of brunch’s deliciousness. 

Batch Bellinis and Bloody Marys

If you want the true brunch experience, it’s all about those morning cocktails. But no one really wants to feel beholden to the kitchen on a holiday (which was probably why brunch was born in the first place). The best way to combat the brunch bartending blues is to batch your cocktails well in advance. 

You can make this Bloody Mary a day in advance and keep it in the refrigerator for when you need it. Serve over ice and enjoy. To make the day even more special, set up a build-your-own garnish bar with whatever you think mom would like best: a selection of hot sauces, pickles, olives, celery, peppers, and, if you’re feeling particularly extravagant, grilled shrimp. If the mom in your life is more of a Bellini drinker, you can make a peach purée in advance, topping it off with Prosecco on the morning of your Mother’s Day brunch.

Find Your Fancy with Crêpes

While you do need to cook them to order, crêpes take elegance to a whole new level. Crêpes Suzette is a classic, sweet dish that is a delicious way to celebrate mom, restaurant-style. Since crêpes batter needs to rest for about 30 minutes (or more), you can make the batter the night before, and you’ll be ready to go on the morning of Mother’s Day. This recipe doesn’t require the traditional flambé, which means less work for you! 

Frittatas for All

Instead of making individual eggs for everyone, consider a vegetable-rich (and mostly hands-off) frittata, which goes right in the oven and requires nearly none of your attention. You can use nearly any vegetable you have on-hand, and cheese always makes a welcome addition, too. Consider this recipe, which uses asparagus, mushrooms, and tomatoes, and is perfect for the beginning of the spring season—though you could substitute most other vegetables instead. For a cute, individually-portioned version, bake off frittatas in well-greased muffin tins. Pop them out and stack them on a serving platter and serve them with fresh greens (chives, parsley, and scallions all work well) for an instant crowd-pleaser.

But Don’t Forget the Bacon

There’s no such thing as too much bacon and there’s definitely no such thing as brunch without bacon. If the idea of spending all morning over the frying pan making brunch-ready bacon has you working up a sweat, never fear: bacon in the oven is the absolute best! It comes out perfect every time, doesn’t shrivel up into unrecognizable shards the way frying pan bacon does, won’t shroud your house in grease, and can be ready in 20 minutes, whether or not you’re paying attention. Let your creativity run free: sprinkle bacon with a little bit of chili powder for an added kick, or drizzle it with maple syrup during the final few minutes of cooking for a sticky-salty treat that’s practically a dessert. 

A Decorative Touch

Instead of decorating with paper goods this year, consider opting for edible décor. Cake pops add whimsy and a touch of fun color (you can decorate them however you want). Plus, they’re a built-in dessert. Candied flowers are another lovely way to add color, texture, and fun to your table. Scatter them over the table and you have your own tiny, edible garden.

So break out your best China. Dust off your Champagne flutes. It’s time to celebrate mom at home, over all the most delicious foods (and drinks) that brunch has to offer.