Mommy mixologist: Sweet treats for your grown-up Easter basket

Easter and Mother’s Day provide multiple opportunities for brunch with relatives. They also give us the perfect excuse to drink. Heavily. So this year, toss out the traditional bloody marys and mimosas and shake things up with these hopping good cocktails.

Peach and prosecco Ice

Makes about 4 cups
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup hot water
1/4 cup orange juice
1 16-ounce bag frozen sliced peaches, thawed, juices reserved
1 cup chilled prosecco or other sparkling white wine

1. Stir first three ingredients in medium bowl until sugar dissolves.
2. Blend peaches and reserved peach juices in blender until peaches are finely chopped. With blender running, gradually pour in sugar syrup; process until smooth. Add prosecco and blend well. Transfer mixture to container. Cover and freeze until firm, at least 3 hours.

Source: www.epicurious.com

DIY sparkling cocktail bar
Forget the pre-made Bellinis and mimosas. Let your guests make their own concoction with a variety of sparkling wines and easy homemade fruit purees.

Jean-Louis Blanc De Blancs Brut
Taste: This dry sparkler is perfect for guests who aren’t as keen on the sweet stuff. Add a bit of fruit puree to sweeten it up.
Cost: $11.99, World Market

Cupcake Prosecco
Taste: A departure from Cupcake’s usual chardonnay, this sweet and delicious bubbly is a great addition to the winery’s repertoire.
Cost: $11.99 ($9.99 on sale), World Market
 
Jean-Louis Rosé Brut
Taste: Fruity but still dry, this pink is perfectly paired with the strawberry puree.
Cost: $11.99, World Market
 
Fruit purees
1 cup thawed frozen fruit (raspberry, peach and strawberry pictured)
1/4 cup sugar
1. Blend fruit and sugar in blender until pureed
2. Pour in a bowl (trifle glasses, $2.99 each, World Market). Guests can spoon desired amount into champagne glass and top with choice of sparkling wines or champagne.

Personal pops
Know your guests’ taste buds? Personalize the table with these bright and beautiful mini bottles. Add a polka-dot straw (12 for $3.99, World Market) for easy and festive sipping.

Pommery Pop Champagne
Taste: Dry. Perfect for the traditional champagne drinker.
Cost: $14.99

Canella Bellini
Taste: This sweet and light drink will satisfy the fruit-lovers of the bunch.
Cost: $4.99

Pommery Pink Pop Rose Champagne
Taste: The girliest of girls will love the bite of this pinkalicious bubbly.
Cost: $16.99

Sweet ending
Don’t like to drink champagne? Fill your Easter tummy with this yummy bottle made entirely from milk chocolate. It’s a perfect way to celebrate with the kiddos (mine loved it), too. (Simon Coll Chocolate Con Leche; $9.99, $4.99 on sale, World Market)