We’re counting down to our final days in 2016 and glad to be welcoming in 2017. A new year means bigger and better things in our lives and in our industries. Around this time you’ll start noticing a lot of “Top (Insert number)” lists, and we didn’t want to be left out of that fun so we’re throwing in our two cents. Everyone holiday has a spirit or drink style of drink that is most commonly associated with. St Patty’s day has Irish Whiskey, Cinco De Mayo has Tequila, Thanksgiving and Christmas are usually dessert cocktails and in this case, New Years & New Years eve is all about Champagne. Though we could, we won’t get into what we think are the best champagne brands because it’s too subjective, and more importantly, because that’s not what we’re here for. You want champagne recommendations, ask our friend Dave from ABC Fine Wine & Spirits. You want something a little different, you check out our champagne cocktail suggestions. Here are 10 of the most popular and delicious champagne cocktails recipes that we know, to help you bring in 2013 in style. Whether you’re a beer lover, fruity cocktail fan, or prefer your champagne simple, we’ve got something for everyone. Remember, these are OUR favorites, but please feel free to add yours in the comments below.
1. Kir Royale
- Champagne
- Creme De Cassis
Pour iced champagne or sparkling wine into a large chilled wine glass, add 1/2 ounce of crème de cassis, and stir gently.
Garnish with a twist of lemon peel.
2. Blue Velvet
- 4 oz champagne
- 1 oz blue curacao
Fill a chilled flute glass with champagne, and top off with Blue Curacao.
3. The French 75
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the cognac, simple syrup and lemon juice and shake well. Strain into a martini glass, top with sparkling wine and serve.
4. The Poinsettia
- 1/4 cup vodka
- 1/4 cup Champagne
- 1/2 cup cranberry juice
- Crushed ice
- 2 strips orange zest
Combine the vodka, champagne and juice in a large-stemmed red wine glass. Add crushed ice and stir until the mixture is well chilled. Twist the orange strips over the glass, drop them in, and serve.
5. The Black Velvet
- 4 oz Champagne
- 4 oz chilled stout
6. The Bellini
7. A Kiss Goodnight
- 4 oz Champagne
- A splash of Campari
- a drop of Angostura Bitters
- 1 Sugar cube
Pour your Campari followed by your champagne a flute. Drop the Angostura Bitter onto the sugar cube, and drop the sugar cube in the glass.
8. The Magna Carta
- 2 Parts Blanco tequila
- 1 Part Triple Sec
- Fresh wedge of lime
- Superfine sugar
- Champagne
Rim a chilled wine glass in lime juice, then salt. Pour in tequila and Triple Sec, then fill with champagne or sparkling wine.
9. The Champagne Cocktail
- 1 sugar cube
- 3 dashes bitters
- Brut champagne
- twist of lemon(s)
Soak the sugar cube in bitters and drop into a champagne flute. Top with a champagne or sparkling wine. Garnish with a lemon twist.
10. The Mimosa
- Champagne
- Orange Juice (Preferably Fresh)
Fill champagne flute 2/3 full (or 1/3, for Anglophiles) of fresh-squeezed orange juice and top up with champagne.
This list isn’t necessarily in order of our favorite to least favorite but we did put Mimosa last for a reason. Mimosas are delicious, and simple and more importantly, traditionally a breakfast cocktail. After a long night of drinking, this is how you begin your recovery New Years day. Happy drinking everyone, be safe and remember to drink responsibly!
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Photo courtesy of Moet.com
