Creative Mother's Day Cocktails Around The US (Slideshow)
Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Hotel has a new lobby Library Bar, in addition to Bar 210 at Lacroix, their elegant restaurant. Those visiting over Mother's Day weekend can try the Blushing Mama, a vodka-based cocktail made with lime juice, passion fruit purée, and a splash of Aperol, an orange-liqueur. Or how about what every mom wants? A Moment to Myself, pictured here, is a Southern Comfort-based drink, infused with passion fruit purée and fresh brewed tea.
Ariana, New York
Ariana, a Soho New York Russian restaurant and vodka bar, will serve what they call a "mimosa on steroids" on Mother's Day. Instead of using traditional orange juice, though, this kicky cocktail features red currant juice and the rare sea-buckthorn berry, a fruit from the Himalayas. Orange liqueur adds an extra punch. Mama said knock you out? Yeah, we think so!
Urbana, Washington D.C.
Sometimes classic drinks need a twist and that's what you'll get at Hotel Palomar's Urbana in Washington, D.C. For brunch, they have an Eastern Bloody Mary made with wasabi, lime, soy sauce, sriracha, ginger, and kimchi. This one is definitely for the spicy gal in your life. There's also the Build Your Own Bellini bar, in which a bottle of sparkling wine is presented with three seasonal purées like passion fruit, mandarin orange, and cherry.
Comme Ça, West Hollywood
Nothing says "Queen for the Day" like a drink called Her Royal Highness. That's what they're serving up at Comme Ça, a West Hollywood, Calif. French bistro. The specialty drink, made with seasonal berries, mint, and champagne, is served year-round, but Mom will love it even more on Mother's Day while enjoying a Parisian-style brunch of spring mushrooms, leek quiche, and marscapone-stuffed French toast.
Sunset Lounge, South Beach, Miami
We love the name, Momma's Mango Batida, served at the Sunset Lounge in South Beach's Mondrian Hotel. This is a boozy take on the batida, a Latin American favorite milkshake. It's made with condensed milk, two slices of fresh mangos, Cachaça, a Brazilian-made sugarcane-based spirit, and crushed ice. Barkeeps blend all the ingredients together and serve it in a frozen martini glass with mango slices as a garnish.
Terrazza, Miami
In addition to their usual Sunday "Ladies Who Brunch" buffet every Sunday with unlimited mimosas and Bellinis for the gals, there will be a special Mother's Day's Bouquet Lemonatta served at Miami's Shore Club restaurant, Terrazza. It's made with muddled cucumbers, sage leaves, bison grass vodka, lemon juice, and lavender syrup. Want to concoct it in your casa? Purchase the lavender syrup!
East and West, New York
The Paddington Punch is a glass of whimsy served at the newly opened East and West restaurant at Yotel in New York. It tastes just like an island-style rum punch with lime, orange marmalade, cinnamon syrup, and Appleton Estate rum from Jamaica. It's served in a stemless wine glass with one large rock ice cube, a slice of burnt orange peel, and the pièce de résistance, a red gummy bear. What goes well with this drink? The "swine candy" (spiced and sugared Smithfield and bacon) and the truffled mac n' cheese. Comfort food never goes wrong on this day.
Omni Royal Orleans Rib Room, New Orleans
The Friday $2 Washbucket Martinis are a huge hit at the Omni's Rib Room in New Orleans, but on a special day like Mother's Day, forgo the classic cosmo in favor of the more modern Vanilla Crush Martini. It's a light liquor, which you'll appreciate when tackling the groaning brunch buffet full of Southern favorites like gumbo, turtle soup, and crab cakes with tangy remoulade sauce.