Any true millennial (or basic, you choose the term) knows that the most important meal of the week is brunch, complete with mimosas, friends, and as much food as possible. Simultaneously, any true millennial knows that a weekly brunch gets expensive. Save a little money this summer by hosting brunch at home with some of your closest pals and get decadent on a budget. Plus, when you’re already at home, there are no worries about anyone drinking and driving! Here are some recipes for the perfect brunch menu, along with some decorating ideas to really make the day complete.
Step One: Drinks
So everybody knows the reason we all love brunch is because our newly 21 year old selves can’t wait to flash our ID and get as many drinks in a two hour time period as possible. How many drinks does it take to make the price reasonable?
Here are some recipes to get you a better Instagram than all of your friends with their plain ol’ mimosas.
If you are accustomed to bubbly brunches, spruce up your mimosa by swapping orange juice for orange sherbet, and you’re in for a beautiful treat.
If you like to start your wine bottle in the early hours of a weekend morning, then this is the perfect drink for you.
This drink is going to be the most snapchat-story worthy drink of all time, while also being pretty much the easiest. Get a set of cute glasses for the occasion to really make it pop.
I know this isn’t exactly a drink, but why not have your alcohol and eat it, too?
Step Two: Sides
Now that you’ve found the perfect way to get punch drunk (lol, sorry for the pun), it’s time to figure out simple sides to accessorize and accentuate your main dishes. A brunch is nothing short of fabulous, so remember to keep things dazzling and delectable at the same time. Of course you can do the stereotypical bacon or hashbrowns, but you wouldn’t want to wear that one MuMu dress you own for simple sides, would you?
Why have plain cinnamon rolls if you can turn them into a cupcake?
Again, don’t have a normal fruit salad when you can make something more spectacular and decadent. It’s brunch, calories don’t count, I promise.
Turning some beloved dishes into bite-sized treats makes them somehow even tastier. These wonderful appetizers are no exception.
This is the jackpot, the ultimate brunch treat turned into a bite. Now you can reallllllly get a taste of chicken and waffles together, because I know you eat them separately for any other occasion.
Step Three: Mains
So, you have found complimentary dishes for your brunch, which means all that is left is the main attractions. Brunch is such a special meal, with so much potential, remember not to stifle your creativity and regulate this to only breakfast-like menu items. You can take this in any direction you would like, and whether you choose breakfast or lunch, your day will be all the better, no matter what.
The classic, holy grail of brunch items, eggs benedict have to be perfect, so make sure you are ready to take on this ambitious dish.
The classic sweet dish, French toast is great if the bread is thick and a little stale.
I don’t know if you are Southern or not, but Biscuits and Gravy are hard to beat. The sausage gravy is the star of the show, making it a rich dish, perfect for soaking up some of those mimosas.
Literally spice up your brunch with a classic huevos rancheros, and turn the brunch into a real fiesta.
Step Four: Décor
Simply put, brunch is an elaborate affair. LA’s most instagrammed brunch spots are beautiful (DUH), so why not make your at-home brunch just as insta worthy? Here are a few simple ways to spruce up your small apartment to make it feel like a posh café.
Flowers with Fruit Vases
Not only are fresh flowers one of the simplest ways to spruce a place up, but lining the vase with fresh fruit makes your IKEA dining set look like it belongs in a quaint little café.
Tassel Curtains
Tassel curtains, like these, are always a cute backdrop to photos, and a simple touch of flare for any brunch party.
Coffee Bar/ Mimosa Bar
A surefire way to feel like a true brunch is happening is to set up a mimosa bar, with juices and fresh fruit, or a coffee bar, with syrups and fun creamers. Either way, letting your guest feel like they can mix their own drinks from a cute set up will make them feel luxuriously at home.
Of course, the easiest way to make any meal seem special is to set each place. For a special touch, print up a quick menu and pick a theme for the brunch to center on.
There you have it! Now, you can save money by doing a potluck brunch or a rotating schedule of hosting, while also making sure that you get that special time to relax with some of your closest friends. Brunching with the besties is such a special treat; you deserve a weekly time of unwinding and day-drinking. Plus, at home, no one will judge you for wearing sweats to the table.
