Ahhh… The Bubbly. It makes every occasion more special. This Wine Wednesday, I’m offering up a few sparkling wine cocktails for the New Year! This will liven up your usual bubbly toast and offer some alternatives to those who don’t normally enjoy a dry bubbly.
Remember, all Champagne must come from the Champagne region of France to be called such. However, it can be expensive. In all of the cocktail recipes below, feel free to substitute any sparkling white wine, as long as it is dry. {We’ll have a more in-depth lesson Champagne vs. Sparkling Wine at a later date.}
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KIR ROYALE
- 1 part crème de cassis
- 5 parts Champagne
Pour crème de cassis in a glass, gently pour Champagne on top.
Optional: Add a twist of lemon zest for garnish.
Variation: Substitute raspberry Chambord for the cassis.
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BLACK VELVET
- 1 part Guinness (or other stout), slightly chilled
- 1 part Champagne
Pour the Stout into a half-pint glass or flute. Carefully add the Champagne on top. When you sip, the heavier stout will slip under the wine, so you’ll enjoy a taste of both!
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POINSETTIA
Variation 1:
- 1 oz Triple Sec
- 4 oz Champagne
- Splash of cranberry juice
Variation 2:
- 1 oz cranberry juice (choose a brand with no sugar added)
- 1 tbsp Grand Marnier
- 4 oz Champagne
Add the cranberry juice and Triple Sec or Grand Marnier to a flute and top with Champagne.
Optional: Garnish with an orange slice or drop in a few frozen cranberries for fun.
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BELLINI
- Splash of peach juice or peaches in simple syrup
- 4 oz Champagne
Add the peach juice or peaches in simple syrup to the flute. Top with Champagne.
Optional: Garnish with a fresh peach slice.
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BERRY SPARKLER
- Frozen strawberries or raspberries
- 4 oz Champagne
Fill the bottom of the flute with frozen strawberries or raspberries. Top with Champagne.
Optional: Coat the frozen strawberries with sugar first and let sit for a while. Garnish with a ripe, fresh strawberry.
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NELSON’S BLOOD
- 1 oz Ruby Red Port
- 4 oz Champagne
Pour the port into a flute, then add the Champagne.
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FRENCH 75
- ½ oz gin
- ¼ oz lemon juice
- 4 oz Champagne
Shake the gin and lemon juice with cracked ice; strain into a flute and top with Champagne.
Optional Variations: Add an orange slice for garnish, vary the amounts of the ingredients, add a bit or powdered sugar or a splash of Cointreau.
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CHAMPAGNE SUNSHINE/SUNSET
- 2 oz orange juice
- Splash crème de cassis (sunshine) or 1 oz grenadine (sunset)
- 2 oz Champagne
Add the orange juice and cassis or grenadine to a flute. Top with Champagne.
Optional: Plop in a Maraschino Cherry.
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The two that I have not yet had are the Black Velvet and the Nelson’s Blood. I’m looking forward to trying them this New Year’s Eve! Please give one or more of these a shot and come back to let me know your favorites.
What are your plans for New Year’s Eve?
Do you celebrate with any traditions?
Cheers~
Carrie
Season It Already! 
I love poinsettias! However when we add Grand Mariner, we called it a Grand Poinsettia.
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