As the social season kicks off, a celebration breakfast or brunch is an excellent way to get into the swing of spring.

Here are a few tips to hosting the perfect brunch:

•  Keep the food simple. Think pastries and fruit or bacon and eggs on the BBQ. You don’t want to be up prepping at 5am.
•  If you don’t mind last-minute? labour, try poaching your eggs in Champagne. Serve with ham and bread charred on the BBQ.
• Keep your drinks menu light and refreshing. Champagne’s tart bubbles are the perfect thing to cut through rich foods like eggs and pastry and most match well with fruit.
• Be innovative with alcohol-free options. A good fruity punch with a hint of effervescence will keep guests pepped up and hydrated.

Bubbles

The simplest way to serve bubbles at breakfast is with a mimosa – one part orange juice to three parts sparkling wine, although half in half works too if you want a lighter option. Use the best quality bubbles you can afford. Where possible go with freshly squeezed orange juice and always make sure everything is perfectly chilled.

The twist: Swap the oranges for grapefruit juice or even stewed rhubarb, or try immersing frozen or fresh raspberries in a little vodka and sugar syrup overnight. Add a couple of teaspoons of the mix to a tall flute and top with Champagne.