Start 2022 out right with a lavish brunch for your crew. Complete with fresh coffee, biscuits, grits, bacon, and the inevitable hair of the dog, the Local Palate Marketplace offers Southern-style breakfast goods to revive you from a night of frivolities and celebrate a delicious year ahead.
Plan brunch around the sort of morning (or afternoon) you envision: Will it be a grand, sit-down affair, or will you place out small bites so that people can graze as they resurface on their own time?
Unquestionably, the first move is coffee—and plenty of it. Brew a pot worth getting out of bed for with Bourbon Barrel Aged Coffee. Full of deep chocolate, caramel, and bourbon notes, this gourmet roast feels worthy of first-cup-of-the-year title.
Next, the brunch libations: Whether you want to continue the celebration or need a hangover helper, these mixers and cordials help concoct an easy, daytime cocktail. There’s a reason that January 1 is National Bloody Mary Day, so observe accordingly by combining your favorite vodka (or tequila for a bloody maria) with the Sun Also Rises Bloody Mary Mix from the Flavors of Ernest Hemingway. The robust flavor needs no additional doctoring up, but you can make it extra Southern with a pickled okra spear garnish.
Alternately, if you participate in Dry January, you can brunch with a festive non-alcoholic beverage in hand. Caramelized Pineapple and Coconut Water from Perfectly Cordial tastes bright and peppy—almost like a punch—and a little seltzer creates a refreshing spritz.
Our favorite order of business are the snacks you serve. Offer unfussy pickup fare with fresh Callie’s Hot Little Cinnamon Biscuits. Shipped par-baked and with whipped cinnamon butter, they just need a quick warming in the oven before they fill the house with a spiced, buttery aroma. We love sandwiching them with savory Bourbon Smoked Pepper Bacon for the perfect spiced, sweet, and salty bite.
A cast-iron pot of grits brings much-needed sustenance to every Southern brunch. Stone-ground grits have signature coarse, toothsome texture unlike those soupy “grits” up North. Enjoy them savory with butter and sharp cheddar cheese. Or, sweeten them into a holiday-worthy treat. A premium sweetener, such as maple syrup aged in Pappy Van Winkle bourbon barrels or a chili pepper-infused Virginia honey, transforms humble grits into an indulgent treat.
We’ve got loads of brunch recipes on our Local Palate website. Check it out for our favorite ways to enjoy grits and biscuits, easy cocktail recipes, and extra inspiration.
