Throughout the years you lived under her roof, Mom whipped up countless home-cooked dinners for the family, made her cure-all chicken soup to soothe any case of the sniffles and perhaps she even packed brown bag school lunches. Regardless of the ways she may have shown her love, the turn of May signals time to honor our mother figures.
Give back to the special women in your life by hosting a Mother’s Day brunch! These essentials will set you up for a successful celebration as you toast to mother appreciation.
Go beyond the bubbly basics.
Any good mimosa starts with a sparkling wine that holds its own. Don’t just splash any old bubbly into your glass. Instead, treat mom to a fine Brut, such as a bottle from Oregon’s Argyle Winery, the ever-popular Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut (or Brut Rosé), the unctuous Syrah Brut from Treveri Cellars or go old school and natural with a pét-nat sparkler from Bella Wines.
If you’ll be brunching with the whole family, make it a mimosa bar (hint: for a full run-down of the perfect mimosa bar setup, flip through our new spring issue!). In addition to your sparkling wine of choice, set out a dry cider option to bring more variety to the table, like the Artisan Sparkling from Finnriver Farm & Cidery. No matter the ratio of wine (or cider) to juice you and your guests prefer, don’t skimp on mix-ins. Top off with a bright, fresh-squeezed juice (such as the grapefruit, ginger and mint Shauca blend by Portland Juice Co.), tropical iced herbal tea, or fruity and funky kombucha. Of course, make sure to put on a pot of coffee and fill a thermal carafe for guests requiring their mandatory morning cup.
Small bites: savory or sweet?
When it’s time for the day’s most important meal, some just aren’t satisfied unless it’s drenched in sticky-sweet syrup, while others steer clear of the pancake menu and instead seek something hearty and umami-packed. So, what’s the solution when you’re serving a hungry crowd? Satisfy ‘em all without overburdening yourself… stick to a variety of small bites! On the savory side, think quiche tartlets or mini bagels and lox, then intermingle sweet-toothed options such as bite-sized tea cakes (bake in some rhubarb while it’s still in season!) or individual parfaits with fresh fruit and local honey.
Provide Pacific Northwest panache.
Your colorful mimosa bar and small bite spread will speak for themselves, so there’s no need to overdo the table settings and decor. Start saving your empty wine bottles now and repurpose them as vases for fresh farmers market florals or handpicked lilacs and native spring blooms from the yard. Sometimes a simple floral arrangement paired with some strategically placed tea lights can be all you need to tie everything together. Set up in your backyard or dining room, or pack a blanket and secure some goodies in on-the-go vessels for a small picnic outing at your neighborhood park (weather permitting, of course). After all, the beauty of the Pacific Northwest lies in its greenery and beautiful community spaces.
Present something to unwrap.
Don’t send mom off empty-handed! A personally curated gift basket can be the cherry on top of her special afternoon. Fill it with her favorite beverages or handmade chocolates like the Boharat Middle Eastern collection from jcoco chocolates. Alternatively, quality time is the gift that keeps on giving. Take her out for cider flights at a tasting room such as Schilling Cider House (with locations in Seattle and Portland), or treat her to a wine tasting or tour of her favorite local brewery.
