How to plan a tropical-themed brunch this Mother’s Day

Order a bouquet of exotic flowers

First things first – mom deserves some flowers! Draw inspiration from sunny destinations when it comes to picking out the perfect bouquet by going for vibrant colours and exotic florals. Dahlias are native to Mexico and Central America, and you’ll also find hibiscus growing throughout the tropics (although the plant is native to Asia). When in doubt, add palm leaves and other lush greenery to your arrangement – it acts as a great filler and will add a tropical twist to your bouquet.

Set the scene with a destination-inspired tablescape

One of the keys to a successful brunch is an Instagram-worthy table setting (also known as a tablescape). You might not be dining by the beach at Royalton Riviera Cancun, but you can transport yourself to Mexico’s sunny shores with the right décor and accessories. Incorporate vibrant colours like blues, reds, pinks and yellows for a fiesta-themed table or pair blue tableware and linens with scattered seashells for more of a beachside vibe. Pineapples also make for great decorations and can even be sliced up afterwards for a tasty treat!

Whip up some of Royalton’s delicious pancakes

One of the best parts of vacation is sleeping in and ordering room service to enjoy on your oceanview balcony. We got the secret recipe for Royalton’s famous fluffy pancakes, so you can make a restaurant-worthy brunch from the comfort of your kitchen (makes approximately 4-6 servings).

What you’ll need:

• 1 ½ cups of flour
• 2 ½ tsps. Baking powder
• 1 tsp. white sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 ¼ cup of milk
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• Pinch of salt
• Dash of vanilla extract
• Butter for frying

Recipe:

• Mix the flour, baking powder, white sugar and salt in a bowl.
• Add the eggs and milk to the dry mixture; mix well, and then add in the melted butter. Continue stirring until smooth and add a dash of vanilla extract.
• Heat a buttered pan or griddle over medium-high heat and pour pancake batter into the pan, approximately ¼ cup per pancake.
• Serve with your choice of toppings – we recommend maple syrup, homemade whipped cream and fresh seasonal fruit!

Finish it off with signature cocktails

Toast to all that Mom does with this delicious signature cocktail from our Royalton bartenders. The drink will bring a taste of the tropics to your living room and will have you dreaming of the beach at Royalton Punta Cana in no time! Looking for more inspiration? Check out our favourite tropical-inspired cocktails blog.

What you’ll need:

• 1 oz. of Malibu rum OR Sprite
• ¼ oz. of Blue Curaçao liquor OR Blue Curaçao non-alcoholic syrup
• 1 oz. of gin (optional)
• 1 ½ oz. of lime juice
• ¾ oz. of syrup
• Sliced lime and mint to garnish

Recipe:

• Add all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker along with ice cubes.
• Shake well until all ingredients are mixed together.
• Pour into a hurricane glass, garnish with lime wedges and mint leaves, and enjoy!