Cocktails to Drink Before Noon

Morning cocktails have gotten a bad reputation but morning drinking shouldn't be limited to holiday brunches. Before the Temperance Movement which began in the 1820s and picked-up steam until the 1930s, morning drinking was commonplace. Check out these cocktails which were designed to be enjoyed before noon.

Bloody Mary

There are several versions of the Bloody Mary's origins in the 1920s and 1930s, but no matter who originally invented it, one part of the story remains unchanged; the Bloody Mary was created as a hang-over cure. The salt content of the Bloody Mary helps the body to retain water which helps combat a killer hangover, whose main cause is dehydration. In addition, the tomato juice in a Bloody Mary is full of Vitamin K which is known to promote clotting, which can be impaired as the result of alcohol deficiencies. The Bloody Mary is packed full of vitamins, anti-oxidants, and lycopene, but the immediate hang-over relief that is felt is most likely the result of the vodka's temporary pain-killing properties.

Bloody Mary Recipe:

• 2 oz. Vodka
• 3 oz. Tomato Juice
• 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
• 2 dashes Tabasco Sauce
• 1 dash Pepper
• 1 dash Celery Salt
• 1/2 tsp. Horseradish

Shaken with ice and strained into glass.

Garnish with a celery stalk and lime wedge or go crazy with your garnish and add a pickle and a mini-cheese burger!

Mimosa

The Mimosa is the star of the Sunday brunch but it wasn't always that way. The Mimosa was first documented by Frank Meier of the Ritz Hotel in Paris, France in the 1920s and was named after a beautiful orange Central American flower. However, the Mimosa did not become popular in the United States until the late 1960s when it was popularized by European celebrities. Today, the Mimosa's morning celebrity status is unrivaled and there are as many recipe variations as there are fruit juices.

Mimosa Recipe:

• Equal parts Champagne and Orange Juice served in a Champagne flute and garnished with an orange wheel.
• For variations try with pomegranate juice, passion fruit or strawberry syrup.

Irish Coffee

Irish Coffee as it is known today was created to warm the soul when Joe Sheridan served it in Foynes, Ireland as a warm welcome back to airline passengers who were headed to New York City and were turned back due to poor weather back in 1943. With the recent rise in popularity of coffee drinks, Irish Coffee seems primed to stay popular in the years to come.

Irish Coffee Recipe:

• 3 oz. Hot Black Coffee
• 1-1/2 oz. Irish Whiskey
• 1 tsp. Brown Sugar
• 1 oz. Cream

Layer this drink in an Irish Coffee mug by first pouring in the hot coffee and mixing in the brown sugar. Then layer the whiskey and finally the cream on top. To float the cream on top, pour it slowly over the back of the spoon.

Bellini

The Bellini is another European cocktail invented at Harry's Bar in Venice, Italy. This classy cocktail was named after Giovanni Bellini an Italian artist because the color of the cocktail was reminiscent of one of his paintings. The Bellini is a great morning cocktail because of it's light and fresh taste.

Bellini Recipe:

• For a traditional Bellini, mix 3 parts Prosecco with 1 part White Peach Puree.
• If White Peach Puree is hard to find, try mixing 3 parts Champagne with 1 part Peach Schnapps and a dash of Grenadine.

Tequila Sunrise

Named after the appearance of the Arizona morning sky; the Tequila Sunrise is a perfect morning drink. The Tequila Sunrise in its current form was created in the 1970's and was popularized by the Rolling Stone's Mick Jagger.

Tequila Sunrise Recipe:

• 2 oz. Tequila
• 4 oz. Orange Juice
• 3/4 oz. Grenadine

Fill glass with ice. Pour Tequila and Orange Juice in. Pour Grenadine in last allowing it time to settle to the bottom before serving it. Serve with a straw so it can be stirred before drinking.

The Fizz

A Fizz is any acidic juice paired with carbonated water and alcohol. The Fizz originated in the 1800s and there are many variations using different alcohols, fruit juices, and even egg. Fizzes are meant to prime the pallet to enjoy food making them a perfect start to a delicious brunch. The Fizz accomplishes this by using aromatic acidic spirits and juices lifted by the bubbles in the carbonated water. Choosing to include egg whites lend the cocktail a thick silky foamy texture in addition to adding a kick of protein.

Ramos Gin Fizz:

• 1 1/2 oz. Gin
• 1/2 oz. each Lime Juice and Lemon Juice
• 3 drops Orange Flower Water
• 2 Tbsp. Heavy Cream
• Club Soda
• 1 tsp. Sugar
• 1 Egg White

Vigorously shake all the ingredients except the club soda in a cocktail shaker until foamy. Strain into a glass and top with Club Soda.

A few dashes of Triple Sec can serve as a replacement for Orange Flower Water.

Bourbon Sloe Gin Fizz:

• 2 oz. Bourbon
• 1 oz. Sloe Gin
• 1 tsp. Lemon Juice
• Club Soda

Pour over ice, top with Club Soda, and garnish with a Lemon and Cherry.