Christmas brunch is the new lunch

Give this underutilised meal some festive love with the best of the breakfast and lunch worlds.

Charred watermelon with mozzarella and mint Source: Benito Martin

Over the festive season, long lunches and dinners tend to get all the attention for celebratory meals. But for something different, brunch is a great option for an unconventional festive feast.

Here's what we would serve but our menu is very flexible, and, naturally, there are brunch-appropriate tipples. Happy brunching!

Drinks

White peach, gin and basil cocktail

Kick off a day of celebrations with this fruity, elegant and aromatic cocktail.

White peach, gin and basil cocktails.

Espresso bellini

Espresso martinis, with vodka and coffee-flavoured liqueur, are easy to make at home. Use freshly brewed espresso and shake well for a delicious, foamy cocktail that's better than you'll get at a bar.

Espresso martini Source: Richo's Bar Snacks

Eggs

Herbed ricotta souffle omelette

This egg dish is a fluffier take on more traditional egg dishes, and one that doesn't require any last-minute cooking. Somewhere on the spectrum of frittata to mousse, its crisp on the outside and light on the inside.

Herbed ricotta soufflé omelette. Source: Alan Benson

Tunisian baked eggs (shakshuka)

Soft eggs baked in a sweet and aromatic tomato and capsicum sauce with tangy yoghurt. A dippable dream.

Tunisian baked eggs (shakshuka). Source: Alan Benson

Salmon

Salmon pâté

Slightly sweet, delicately fishy and easily spreadable. Salmon can be substituted with other oily fish such as mackerel or trout.

Salmon pâté. Source: Ben Dearnley

Salmon gravlax with Dijon crème fraîche dressing and pickled cucumbers

Gravlax makes an impressive centrepiece for any meal. At breakfast, it pairs perfectly with eggs, looks impressive, and it easier to make than it sounds. If there are any leftovers, it's the perfect thing to keep in the fridge for quick platter entertaining.

Salmon gravlax with Dijon crème fraîche dressing and pickled cucumbers. Source: Petrina Tinslay

Salads

Green grape, celery and walnut salad

Bursting sweet grapes, fresh and peppery celery and creamy walnuts are perfect plate and palate partners.

Green grape, celery and walnut salad. Source: Benito Martin

Charred watermelon with mozzarella and mint

This simple and upbeat salad pairs sweet and smoky watermelon with two of its most eligible partners - creamy mozzarella and refreshing mint.

Charred watermelon with mozzarella and mint. Source: Benito Martin

Sweets

Roasted apricots with honey, cardamom and saffron

Make the most of rosy summer stone fruit with this simple and bright finish to brunch.

Roasted apricots with honey, cardamom and saffron. Source: Benito Martin

Summer trifle with tropical fruits

Venturing far into pavlova territory with this one. Layers of meringue, mango and passionfruit jelly and two types of cream make this trifle endlessly spoonable.

Summer trifle with tropical fruits Source: The Great Australian Cookbook