The Boozy-Julius: The Mimosa Just Met Its Match

A New Brunch Classic Is Born

There’s a new cocktail on the brunch table—and it’s not a mimosa. The Boozy-Julius, also known as the Hard Espresso Sunrise, takes everything people love about that sunny orange staple and adds what it’s been missing all along: depth.

Instead of just bubbles and juice, this version brings together Mario’s Hard Espresso, fresh orange juice, and a soft float of cream. The result is part breakfast nostalgia, part coffee-shop indulgence—a drink that feels like an Orange Julius and an Espresso Martini had a beautiful, slightly rebellious baby.

The Boozy-Julius Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3.0 oz Mario’s Hard Espresso
• 3.0 oz 100% orange juice (pulp-free)
• Soft float of heavy cream

Directions:

1. Pour orange juice over ice.
2. Slowly add Mario’s Hard Espresso.
3. Gently float heavy cream on top.
   
   

Why It Works (and Why the Mimosa Should Be Nervous)

The mimosa is all sparkle and sweetness—but sometimes you want more substance. The Boozy-Julius gives you that morning brightness and the roasted richness you usually only get at night.

• Orange juice keeps things light and refreshing.
• Mario’s Hard Espresso coffee liqueur adds depth, warmth, and a hint of vanilla sweetness.
• Heavy cream softens the edges and gives that slow-sunrise look—layers of gold, coffee, and white.
  

It’s richer than a mimosa, smoother than a latte, and easier to love than it should be.

From Brunch Bubbles to Espresso Layers

We all love the ritual of clinking glasses over brunch. The fizz of champagne. The scent of orange peel. But the truth? After two mimosas, the sugar crash hits, and the bubbles flatten.

That’s why the Boozy-Julius is the new brunch ritual. It’s built on coffee liqueur, so it actually wakes you up instead of weighing you down. The espresso base delivers a subtle caffeine lift, and the creamy float turns each sip into velvet. It’s indulgent but not heavy—a brunch cocktail that earns its seat next to the pancakes.

Espresso Martini vs. The Boozy-Julius

These two are siblings from the same family tree—both built around coffee liqueur, both balancing sweet and strong—but they live in different worlds.

If the Espresso Martini rules nightlife, The Boozy-Julius owns daylight.

How to Build the Perfect Layers

The secret to that sunrise-style gradient is patience.

1. Pour the orange juice first—it’s the lightest.
2. Add Mario’s Hard Espresso slowly so it settles beneath.
3. Finish with a gentle float of cream.
   

Each ingredient has a different density, which means they naturally separate. The result is a visual showstopper—perfect for your brunch table and your feed.

A Sip of Nostalgia

If you grew up drinking Orange Julius or creamsicles by the pool, the first sip of this will take you back. The orange and cream hit first, then the espresso slides in with warmth and depth. It’s memory and maturity in the same glass.

That’s the magic of coffee liqueur—it connects old comfort with new ritual.

When to Serve the Boozy-Julius

• Brunch gatherings: The new “bottomless” drink—except better.
• Baby showers or bridal brunches: It’s colorful, elegant, and easy to batch.
• Afternoon hangouts: Skip the champagne headaches; this stays smooth and steady.
• Holiday mornings: Pairs perfectly with cinnamon rolls, coffee cake, or French toast.
  

It’s not just an alternative to the mimosa—it’s an upgrade.

Why Coffee Liqueur Belongs at Brunch

Coffee has always been part of breakfast culture. Adding it to a cocktail isn’t rebellion—it’s evolution. Mario’s Hard Espresso blends freshly roasted espresso, Madagascar vanilla, and just enough sweetness to make every sip balanced. It’s what lets this cocktail replace champagne without missing a beat.

Coffee liqueur brings depth, caffeine, and a little indulgence—everything brunch should have.

The Boozy-Julius Philosophy

This drink sums up what we believe at Mario’s: tradition doesn’t have to be serious. You can respect craft and have fun with it. The Boozy-Julius keeps the care and quality we bring to every batch of Mario’s Hard Espresso but shows that coffee liqueur doesn’t need a dim bar to shine.

It’s easy to make, beautiful to look at, and even easier to love.