Halloween has its Jack-O-Laterns, and Christmas its trees. And what's the first thing that springs to mind come New Year's Eve? 

Champagne. "Auld Lang Syne" and resolutions aside, for most adults, champagne is New Year's. As Rob Lowe taught us all in Wayne's World, "all champagne is French, it's named after the region. Otherwise it's sparkling white wine. Americans of course don't recognize the convention, so it becomes that thing of calling all of their sparkling white 'champagne', even though by definition they're not."

On its own, champagne is crisp, can be dry (brut) or sweet (doux), and of course, very, very bubbly. But mixed in a cocktail? That's a whole 'nother story. 

So, if you can't afford a bottle of the finest this year, no worries. Because champagne mixed with other spirits and juices is a very fine "cup of kindness yet." (Did you see what I did there? "Cup of kindness"... like in Auld Lang Syne.  'Cause it's New Year's. Get it?)

The Classic Kir Royale

  • 1/4 oz Cassis
  • Champagne
  • Lemon twist

Pour the Cassis in the bottom of a champagne flute and fill with champagne. Garnish with the twist.

Old School Champagne Cocktail

  • 1 sugar cube
  • Angostura bitters
  • Champagne

Drop  the sugar cube into a glass, then soak it with the bitters. Fill the glass with champagne.

Pomegranate Fizzle 

  • 5-6 fresh pomegranate arils
  • 4 oz. champagne
  • 3/4 oz. pomegranate juice (store-bought is fine)
  • 1/2 oz. framboise or cassis (optional)

Place arils, pomegranate juice, and framboise in a glass and top off with champagne.

Hoitoi 

  • 2 oz. dry gin
  • 3/4 oz. grapefruit juice
  • 1/4 oz. Campari
  • 2 oz. champange
  • Angostura bitters

Combine the first  three ingredients and shake with ice. Pour into a chilled martini glass or champagne flute, top with champagne, adding two dashes of the bitters to the top.

Champagne Cobbler

  • 1 oz. fresh lemon juice
  • 1 oz. white rum
  • 1/2 oz. grenadine
  • 4 oz. champagne
  • orange slice or pineapple ring, garnish

Shake the first three ingredients and pour into a glass with ice. Top with the champagne and garnish.

Champagne Cosmo Cocktail

  • 1/2 oz. Cointreau or Grand Marnier
  • 1 oz. cranberry juice
  • 1/4 oz. fresh lime juice
  • 4 oz. champagne

Shake the first three ingredients and pour into a chilled martini glass. Top with the champagne.

Top image by Cateaclysmic. Check out her blog for a delicious-sounding Pink Apple Fizz.

Related Reading: HDYGTFAJ with Lori Raimondo, who helps that ball in Times Square drop on time, every time on NYE.


2 Comments