Hosting the Best Festive Breakfast
Whether you’re hosting a houseful for a big family gathering, or enjoying a cosier Christmas morning, you’ll want the best festive breakfast to fuel your festivities. Read on for our quick guide of what to serve and how, including a divine brunch cocktail recipe from our friends at Shed One Distillery, plus hosting hacks and table turnaround tips.
Hosting a special festive breakfast doesn’t need to be a big effort, but rather a nice way to elevate your celebrations even more. Take a slower paced start to Christmas Day and enjoy a proper sit-down spread, or try these tips for weekend entertaining over the holidays. We’ve included links throughout to our best Emma Britton decorative glassware suggestions too, to kit you out for breakfast hosting in style.
Breakfast Martini Recipe
Why not try the Shed One Breakfast Martini, created by our friends at Shed One Artisan Spirits. Their award winning spirits are lovingly crafted and distilled in Cumbria by founders Zoe and Andy. Here’s how to make it:
- 50ml Shed One Festive Tipple Gin
- 20ml Cointreau
- 20ml Lemon Juice
- 1 Tbsp Shed One Gin Jelly Marmalade*
Method
- Add ice and the above ingredients into a cocktail shaker.
- Shake for 10-20 seconds to ensure the marmalade is well mixed.
- Pour through a mesh strainer into a prepared cold glass. Try Emma Britton Silver Birch Crystal Coupes or Floral Twist Cocktail Glasses
- Garnish with an orange peel twist.
*Shed One jelly marmalade is made with the surplus fresh citrus fruit not used in the making of Shed One spirits – sometimes it has a splash of gin and other times it doesn’t but with the addition of juniper you’ll always get a ginny hit. The majority of each sale goes into their Marmalade Fund and is donated to their charity partner, Furness Homeless Support Group.
You can find the ingredients for the Shed One Breakfast Martini in their seasonal shop.
Creating a Super Easy Festive Breakfast Table
Our top tip? Clear your table and get the basics set up the night before, if you’re hosting on Christmas Day. Throw on a tablecloth (a different one for dinner, so there’s no worries about spills!) and set up your centrepiece. A simple vase with candles or foliage is effective, yet easy to remove for a quick turnaround!
Keep place settings simple. Stackable tumblers for juice – decanted from a carafe, as it looks so much nicer than a plastic bottle – plus your choice of stemware if you’re going for a cocktail or fizz. What better excuse to get out your favourite bone china too. May we add Emma’s Floral Twist design in tomato red is seasonally festive for christmas breakfasts!
Family-style grazing boards or colourful trays stacked with pastries work great for a relaxed morning spread. Choose things you can prep quickly, and let guests help themselves to make life so much easier. Smoked salmon and croissants feel suitably luxurious and are easy wins.
We also loved this suggestion from one of our customers. ‘Pretty Silver Birch bowls are the perfect size for grapefruit halves!’ Cut up, sprinkle with sugar and leave overnight.
Don’t forget: polish all the glassware you need the night before and set out ready. Emma’s hosting hack is to use steam and a cotton tea towel, watch here as she shows you how.
Ticking off Your Shopping List
Please do shop early with Emma Britton Decorative Glass Designer this Christmas, don’t leave it too late to pick up hosting essentials and gifts. Our last order dates for Christmas delivery are before 19 December (with Standard Royal Mail) or 22 December (Express only). Or shop in person with us at Haddon Hall Mercatum until 14 December!
