5 Easter Brunch Essentials

Easter is a great occasion for dusting off those champagne flutes for mimosas (a blend of sparkling wine and orange juice) or Bellinis (sparkling wine and peach puree), which work well as a

welcome aperitif or alongside the main meal. Maxence Bonnamain, hotel manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe suggests considering spritzers for something on the lighter side—just add ice

and soda water to your favorite sparkling wine, he says. Make them even more festive by topping off with a splash of fresh juice, herb-infused simple syrup (lavender or thyme are lovely),

vermouth or a fruit liqueur. For a refreshing and healthy mocktail, Bonnamain’s team suggests mixing a berry kombucha with ginger ale, soda water, fresh lime and mint. “Its light acidity

pairs well with food, and the additional effervescence makes it a great palate cleanser,” he says. 2. FRUIT PLATTERS AND CRUDITÉS For many people, Easter is the essence of spring, and your

brunch spread is a prime place for showcasing the season’s bounty. Be sure to use whatever fruits and vegetables are freshest and most colorful, and serve them with a sweet or savory dip as

a complement, Kline says. Blueberries, strawberries, rhubarb, asparagus, artichokes, peas, wild mushrooms and heirloom carrots are among the seasonal produce items to seek out during the

Northern Hemisphere’s springtime. Boone says she likes to serve multicolored fruit on skewers when entertaining—they look beautiful and can be a handheld treat or be plated alongside a range

of small-bite desserts. 3. CASSEROLE-STYLE DISHES (SWEET OR SAVORY) Kline says dishes served in casseroles are often overlooked even though they can typically be prepared in advance —

saving the host precious time. A favorite among sweet casserole items, he says, is praline baked French toast—a recipe that has many iterations and is easily assembled with bread cubes or

slices soaked in buttermilk, beaten eggs, sugar and spices, layered in a pan, and topped with a crunchy swirl of brown sugar and candied pecans. Savory casseroles that work well for Easter

brunch use ingredients like potatoes, eggs, bread, rice and pasta as a base. For something easy and tasty, try making a cheesy baked pasta casserole, Bonnamain says. Brighten it with spring

peas, carrots or broccoli and top it with a gremolata of fresh herbs, he says. 4. MEAT OR FISH The type of meat or fish you decide to serve as the centerpiece of your brunch menu should

align with your family’s traditions and tastes.