Mastering a Gay Ritual: The Boozy Brunch

Gay people have no shortage of amazing rituals -- wit, shopping, dancing until dawn, etc. -- but one of the best is brunch. Sitting at a table with bellinis, blueberry pancakes, and a gaggle of friends, discussing what happened the night before, is a pleasure known by many LGBT people. But have you tried hosting your own leisurely liquor-soaked mid-morning feast? Boozy Brunch: The Quintessential Guide to Daytime Drinking, a new book by Brooklyn writer Peter Joseph and New York photographer Salma Khalil, features dozens of drink recipes that provide hair of the dog, and then some (there's even recipes for some classic brunch dishes). See some of our favorite cocktail confections on the following pages.

Le Perroquet
makes one drink

"An interesting mix of bitter and sweet flavors. Pair this drink with Nicoise or Caesar salad."

dash Campari
dash gin
2 oz. orange juice
4 oz. champagne
lemon twist
orange twist

In a champagne flute, pour the Campari, gin, and orange juice before adding the champagne. Garnish with the twists.

Smoked Martinez
makes one drink

"An original recipe that shakes up the classic Martinez with the addition of bacon and maple syrup."

1 tsp maple syrup
1 oz bacon-infused gin
2 oz sweet vermouth
dash orange bitters

Combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Cafe Royale
makes one drink

"The showstopper in bartending is, without a doubt, fire. The classic drink for this purpose is the Blue Blazer, which is simply Scotch and water tossed back and forth in a flaming arc between cups. Impressive, but not quite ideal for brunch. And perhaps you don't want to dim the lights and drag out the chafing dish required for a Cafe Brulot Diabolique. The Cafe Royale is your single-serving recourse."

2 oz hot coffee
1 sugar cube
11/2 oz brandy

Rest a spoon holding the sugar and brandy over a cup with the coffee. Set the brandy alight. Once the flame has died down, pour the brandy and sugar into the cup.

The Bloody Bull
makes one drink

"A classic brunch drink, this version of the recipe comes from Chris Hannah of [New Orleans restaurant] French 75. Pair this with bacon, fried eggs, and toast."

11/2 oz vodka
4 oz Bloody Mary mix
1 oz beef broth
2 olives
1 lemon wedge
2 pickled beans

Roll first three ingredients from mixing glass to highball glass, finishing with the liquid in the highball glass. Add ice and garnish with the remaining ingredients.

Skier's Smoothie
makes one drink

"Don't skip this because you dislike Galliano. If you've only had the Italian liquer in Harvey Wallbangers and been left unimpressed, you'll be surprised by this recipe. The tea seems to transform the liqueur's flavors into something very different. Serve with croissants or other pastries."

11/2 oz Galliano
41/2 oz hot tea

In a cup add the Galliano, then the tea.

Morning Glory
makes one drink

"Said to have been created by the opera star Rise Stevens."

1/2 oz Cointreau
1/2 oz cherry brandy
dash Angostura bitters
1 each orange and pineapple slices
champagne

In a highball glass half-filled with ice, add the Cointreau, cherry brandy, and bitters. Add fruit, and fill the rest of the glass with champagne.

English Cobbler
makes one drink

"Try pairing with the egg-in-toast dish called Birds in a Nest."

1 oz lemon juice, freshly squeezed
1 tsp bar sugar
2 oz strong tea
4 oz Jamaican run
berries for garnish (blackberries, raspberries)

In a highball glass with crushed ice, build the drink. Garnish with the berries and serve with a straw.