Top 4 Tips For a Kickass Sunday Brunch Party

Blog written by Mixology & Craft.

Before brunch, Sunday was an abysmal day that reminded us of 2 things: Monday is inescapable, and our ability to drink anything without a violent hangover the next day fades with each passing breath. 

Sunday brunch changed all that. Now, we can drink on Saturday night with peace of mind, knowing that the next day we’ll get to see our friends, eat carbs and protein, and drink more liquor to ease the pain of the liquor we drank the night before. 

Sunday brunch is proof that there are still moments of happiness granted to us by the random chaos of the universe. 

However, we can’t ignore the fact that brunch can be expensive. Like, $17-for-a-screwdriver-expensive. You know what isn’t expensive, though? Inviting your friends to your apartment, having them bring some champagne and OJ, making some cheap brunch food, and drinking there. That’s right - I’m talking about a brunch party. And we’re going to learn all about how to do that. 

From some simple definitions to brunch decor ideas to the right liquor and bar tools to the top 4 brunch tips, this article is going to save you time, money, and stress about reserving a table at that new brunch restaurant that already has a line out the door. 

Let’s get going! 

What Is Brunch?

WAIT, YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT BRUNCH IS? ARE YOU LIVING UNDER SOME KIND OF ANTI-BRUNCH ROCK?

Sorry. Sorry. I didn’t mean to yell. It’s just my favorite meal, so I’m passionate.

I understand that some of you might not even know what Sunday brunch is, which is fine - I too was once a hollow soul, unaware of one of the few pleasures life has to offer.

Because this is important, I went to the most trusted source to get you the right definition: Google.

This prestigious source claims that brunch is, and I quote: “a late morning meal eaten instead of breakfast and lunch”, i.e. the combinations of the words ‘breakfast’ and ‘lunch’. Brunch. Simple, delightful, and oh-so-delicious.

The definition, however, is not the most important part - the menu is! Brunch typically consists of both breakfast and lunch dishes, pastries, a bunch of eggs, and fruit salads. 

That’s pretty broad, I know - so here’s a great list of brunch menu items to help you get started on planning your brunch party: 

What is a Good Brunch Menu?

This menu is going to have your friends and/or family that are coming over for brunch wishing that every meal was brunch, and that every day was Sunday. I’ve decided to break this list down in a normal menu style - drinks, appetizers, entrees, sides, and desserts. I’ve even added options to choose from! Wow, I’m great.

Drinks (Alcoholic)

• Bloody Mary: A classic early afternoon tomato-based beverage that is spicy (and boozy) enough to have you feeling like you’re on top of the world! You’ll need a good bartender kit for this one, as it requires quite a bit of mixing. Luckily for you, we have an incredible selection of bartender kits right here!

• Mimosa: Sunday brunch isn’t the same without it. Composed of champagne and OJ, the mimosa allows you to get much-needed vitamin C while you get drunk. It’s a win/win.

• Spritzer: White wine and fruity sparkling water. You can even add fresh fruit in if you’re trying to get fancy for your brunch party (and we know you are).

• Irish Coffee: Bailey’s Irish Cream has been my weakness since the moment I could buy liquor legally, and for good reason. Put some in your coffee to wake up and cool down at the same time! 

Drinks (Non-Alcoholic) 

For those not looking to booze it up before 5pm for Sunday brunch, here are some alcohol-free alternatives: 

• Coffee

• Tea

• Juice (any kind)

• Sparkling Water

Appetizers

Here is a selection of perfect starters to get people’s stomachs ready for the rich, dense food that brunch will bring them: 

• Cheese Board and/or Meat Board

• Croissants

• Bacon

• Fruit (any kind) 

Entrees

I am salivating just thinking about the things I’ve written down in this section. Don’t tell me where you’re having your brunch party at, because I will show up and I will get crazy. I’m the Tasmanian Devil of brunch parties. Anyway, here are some great entrees: 

• Eggs Benedict 

• Bagel & Lox

• Biscuits & Gravy

• Chicken & Waffles

• Crepes

• Omelets

• French Toast

• Quiche

Sides

Sides are optional. Just kidding. You need them.

• Grits 

• Toast

• Hash Browns

• Ham

• Scrambled Eggs

• Potatoes (roasted or fried, your choice)

Desserts

After eating so much, you’d think people at your brunch party won’t be ready for dessert. You’re wrong. Brunch dessert is the best dessert! 

• Cinnamon Rolls

• Coffee Cake

• Fruit

I would like to make a note here that you obviously shouldn’t include all of this at your next Sunday brunch - that would be hellish to pull off, and incredibly expensive. Just pick 1 or 2 things from most (or all) of these lists, and you’ll be ready to start your high-end brunch party in no time. Trust me. 

How Do You Host a Nice Brunch? Nice Decor!

Now that we’ve got the food, time to set up the ambiance. This is the key to having a nice brunch, in my opinion. I’m talking about table decoration, of course:

Brunch Decor Ideas

• Decorative Stands - This can be anything from a cake stand to a DIY stand! 

• Flowers - Everyone loves flowers, a symbol of life and beauty. Sunday brunch, to me, is also a symbol of life and beauty, so it makes sense to have some in a vase. 

• A Little Menu - Show everyone what’s available to munch on! This is cheap, easy, and honestly super fun to do. You can print them out or write them by hand if you don’t have a printer (which if you’re like me, you don’t. Where do you put it? My box apartment can barely fit my bed.)

• Disposable Dinnerware - There is no better way to not have to do dishes than by simply throwing your plates in the recycling when you’re done with them. Also, it looks brunch-y! 

• Table Runners - Fancy, fashionable, and fun: The 3 F’s of brunch. And the table runner follows all of them. Grab one (or make one from a table cloth!) for an authentic brunch party feel. 

The Top 4 Brunch Time Tips

Time for the main course. Here are the most important tips and advice I can possibly give you to ensure your Sunday brunch goes off without a hitch.

Prep the Night Before. 

• Trust me, you’re going to regret doing this last minute. Set up everything and have everything prepped the night before, so you can get up the next morning and focus on cooking the meals you like. This means doing food prep and setting up your table beforehand. 

Make it a Potluck!

• What’s better than cooking? Not cooking! Have each of your friends bring a dish, and watch the stress melt off of your body. Brunch potlucks are the best potlucks. 

Serve Food Buffet-Style.

• There is nothing that stresses me out more than the thought of plating food for anyone other than myself. Well, that and climate change. And getting stung by a bee. The Sunday brunch experience is supposed to be stress free for everyone - don’t put all of the weight on your shoulders, let people serve themselves! That way they can get the food they want, and you don’t have to worry about portions. 

Get the Bartending Tools You Need.

• Getting some bartending tools and whiskey glasses is essential to take your brunch party from lame to luxurious. I recommend this beginners bartending set (because it looks badass), and these whiskey glasses (perfect for Irish Coffee, White Russians, and, uh, whiskey). 

Final Thoughts

As you can see, we here at Mixology & Craft take brunch very seriously, and for good reason. It’s the most important meal of the day, so you might as well make it a good one. 

Whether you’re having Sunday brunch with a few friends, or your whole family, we hope this blog has helped you feel a bit more prepared! If you’re looking for other kickass products, tips, or tricks, don’t be afraid to check our website. 

NOW GO HAVE THE BOOZY BRUNCH OF YOUR DREAMS!

Contributing Writer: Aurora Detor