To Drink Before Noon

From Mimosas at the JC to Kir Royales at La Garenne in Reims, and a Ramos Gin Fizz at NOHO STAR to the Royal Hawaiian's Pina Coladas, we never miss a chance to indulge ourselves with a buzz-inducing cocktail in the morning.

Brunch offers the perfect excuse to drink alcohol before noon. Your boyfriend's mother might raise an eyebrow if you were to order a beer with your breakfast of ham and eggs. Call it 'brunch' and we promise that this same woman will jump right in and join you in a cocktail or two or three.

Our two favorites are:

MIMOSAS

1 c freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 c Grand Marnier
1 750 ml bottle of extra dry champagne. Any $15 bottle will do (again, we are trying to break you of your snobbish inclinations).

Mix orange juice and Grand Marnier. Divide among 4 champagne flutes. Slowly add champagne. Serve immediately.

RAMOS GIN FIZZ

1 c gin
2 T half and half
1/2 c superfine sugar
2 c crushed ice
2 tsp orange flower water
3/4 c fresh lemon juice
6 egg whites

Combine in a blender. Blend on high until frothy. Serve immediately.

While there are a myriad of cocktails that could be consumed before noon, we recommend that you stick to the most traditional. Keep it light, frothy and pastel. No matter how casual our society has become, there is something, mmmmm, shall we say 'unseemly' about ordering a Jack Daniels with your eggs Benedict.