a breakfast martini? yes.

Clara’s morning was a blur of mismatched socks, forgotten keys, and a disastrous attempt at winged eyeliner. It was only 9 and she was already ready to call it a day. But then, she saw it—The Bloom Café, its cozy sign promising "Breakfast, Brunch, Bliss."

A little bliss was exactly what she needed.

She slipped inside, the warm scent of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the subtle citrus of something sweeter. Clara found a corner table, shoulders relaxing as she scanned the menu. Just as she did, her best friend Lily burst through the door, cheeks flushed. “Sorry, sorry—I missed the bus!”

Clara waved her over. “Perfect timing. I’ve just found something to brighten our morning—The Breakfast Cocktail.”

A server appeared.

Clara lowered the menu. “Please! Tell me everything about this cocktail.”

 “Ah, the Breakfast Cocktail. We start with 1 1/2 ounces of gin, 1/2 an ounce of orange liqueur, 3/4 ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice, and the secret touch—a barspoon of orange marmalade. It’s all shaken with ice and strained into a chilled glass.”

Clara’s eyebrows lifted.

Lily leaned in. “Two, please.”

Moments later, two glistening glasses arrived. Clara took a sip, the flavors blossoming on her tongue, the citrus tang balanced by the warm sweetness of marmalade.

“Perfect.”

Lily clinked her glass against Clara’s. “Breakfast cocktails make everything better.”

They lingered, laughing about old memories, sharing stories of missed trains and messy dates. An hour slipped by like a gentle breeze. When they finally stood to leave, they promised each other more of these mornings.

Clara and Lily walked out of The Bloom Café, their chaotic mornings nothing but distant memories. Sometimes, a little sparkle in a glass was all it took to turn a day around.

Ready to make one?

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 ounces gin
• 1/2 ounce orange liqueur (such as Combier)
• 3/4 ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 barspoon orange marmalade

DIRECTIONS

1. Add the gin, orange liqueur, lemon juice, and marmalade into a shaker with ice and shake vigorously until well-chilled.
2. Double-strain into a chilled coupe glass.

GARNISHES

• lemon wheel or lemon peel

TIPS

Use Quality Gin: A smooth gin with subtle botanicals works best.

Balance Sweetness and Citrus: Adjust the lemon juice to your taste.

Orange Marmalade is Key: It provides sweetness and a hint of bitterness.

Shake Well: Properly mixing the marmalade ensures a silky texture.

Chill Your Glasses: Serve in a chilled glass for the best experience.