Beretta's Pamplemousse

We're always a bit wary of elderflower liqueur, but it doesn't take over in this supremely balanced and fresh-tasting gin cocktail, a signature brunch drink at Beretta in San Francisco.

The Blur

You've seen bubbly brunch drinks before, but this tart lime variation, served at San Francisco's Nopa (one of our favorite Bay Area brunch spots) is a bit unusual, made with herbal Green Chartreuse and maraschino liqueur to sweeten.

Classic Martini Cocktail

A straightforward martini recipe, which is a lot more flexible than you might think.

Martinez Cocktail

The Martinez starts with equal parts gin and sweet vermouth, and this alone distinguishes it from the modern martini. You then add a teaspoon of maraschino liqueur and either Angostura or orange bitters.

Morning Glory Cocktail

As I mentioned in my hangover helper post on Wednesday, the hair of the dog has long been considered an effective means of treating this kind of self-inflicted wound. Here's an 1887 version of a morning fog cutter, from that year's edition of Jerry Thomas' Bar-Tender's Guide: the Morning Glory Cocktail.

Hawksworth's Breakfast Club

This concoction of matcha and cucumber is sure to keep you cool. Multiply the quantity and make this in a carafe for brunch with friends, just like they do at Hawksworth.

The Jasmine

Don't let the color fool you. With its gentle pink hue, the Jasmine may look as prissy and cute as a Hello Kitty armband, and its unassuming appearance and sprightly color has no doubt appealed to many drinkers of the once-ubiquitous Cosmo. But unlike that candy-colored alcopop, the Jasmine is all business, its alluring tint supplied not by the Cosmopolitan's innocuous red cranberry juice but by the intensely garnet Campari, an Italian aperitif famous for its powerful bitter flavor.

Sherry Martini

Pair gin with vermouth and you get botanicals on top of botanicals. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but bring sherry into the mix and you'll find something both more smooth and electrifying, with hints of marcona almonds and a wonderful savory bite.

Bloody Mary

The Bloody Mary is, of course, a staple of the American brunch and a universal hangover cure. The drink's origins are oft-rumored and still open to the kind of disputed bickering that is absolutely painful on a weekend morning, so it's best to move onto the heart of the matter: what's essential in your Bloody Mary?

Bramble

As gorgeous as it is delicious, with blackberry liqueur slowly seeping into every sip.