Spice up your next brunch!

Rev up your weekend with the latest hot trend to hit brunch: a dash of spice! From a fiery cocktail upgrade to a sizzling menu, this gathering will get guests talking!

1 Create a caliente centerpiece!

For a festive accent that fits the brunch’s fiery theme, place a glass votive candle in a small bowl and surround it with jalapeños, setting the stem ends against the candleholder so they look like petals. Another option: Buy mini pepper plants from the garden center and scatter them on your table—you can even add a nametag and turn ’em into place cards that double as favors!

2 Spice up a brunch classic!

Bloody Marys are a brunch must, and Commander’s Palace in New Orleans gives the classic a kick by serving it in a glass with a spiced rim— and you can wake up your guests’ taste buds with your own spice mix! To do: Combine 5 Tbs. kosher salt, 1 Tbs. ground celery seed, 1 Tbs. lemon pepper and 1 Tbs. sweet paprika in a shallow bowl. Then moisten the rim of each glass with a cut lemon, dip into the spice blend, then pour in Bloody Mary mix. For even more heat, treat guests to a “fiery fixin’s” bar with Bloody Mary add-ins like hot sauces, prepared horseradish, hot pickled peppers, cut-up jalapeños and extra spice mix.

3 Kick up brunch favorites!

It’s easy to give eggs, waffles, even pancakes a spicy spin that’ll have guests asking for seconds!

✤ Huevos Rancheros

This south-of-the-border twist on fried eggs, made extra-tasty with black beans and salsa, is inspired by Kristen Winston Catering in Nashville and serves six: ● Sauté 3 cloves garlic, minced, in 2 Tbs. olive oil, then add 1 (14.5-oz.) can black beans, 1 red bell pepper, diced, 1 tsp. ground cumin and 1/4 tsp. salt. Simmer until thickened, then stir in 1/2 cup green onions, chopped. Fry 6 eggs sunny side up in a large skillet. To serve, place a warm corn tortilla on each plate, then top with bean mixture, fried eggs, hot salsa, chopped cilantro and avocado slices.

✤ Jalapeño-corn Waffles

Bits of pepper and Cheddar make the jalapeño-cheddar waffles at Stirr in Dallas a brunch favorite— and they’re a perfect side with huevos rancheros! ● In a bowl, combine 1 cup fine yellow corn meal, 1/2 cup fl our, 1 tsp. baking powder, 1/2 cup corn kernels, 1 large jalapeño, chopped, seeds and stem removed, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/4 cup Cheddar cheese and 1 Tbs. brown sugar. In a second bowl, mix 1/4 cup melted butter, 1 cup whole milk, 1 Tbs. canola oil and 1 egg until combined. Next, make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, adding the wet ingredients until just combined. Cook in a waffle iron according to manufacturer’s instructions.

✤ Mexican Hot Chocolate Pancakes!

Sweet cocoa and a little spice make everything nice—that’s why the Mexican hot chocolate pancakes at Chicago’s Jam restaurant keep guests coming back. Serve ’em as a brunch-perfect dessert! ● Make your favorite pancake mix according to package instructions, adding in 1/4 cup unsweetened baking cocoa, 2 Tbs. sugar and 1 Tbs. ground cinnamon. For extra sweet heat, top pancakes with marshmallow creme and a dash of chili powder!