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New Year's Eve

5 Champagne cocktail recipes to shake things up this New Year’s

Jais Tollette
Grateful
Five champagne cocktail recipes to help you shake up some sparkles as we head into the new year.

Sipping bubbly is a truly magical experience. Why else would it be the drink of choice for toasts and celebrations? But here’s what we want to know: Who said champagne is only for special occasions?

So today we are sharing five champagne cocktail recipes to help you shake up some sparkles as we head into the new year. Because, let’s be real, there’s always something to celebrate. And, of course, champagne is always a good idea.

Without further ado, let’s make some champagne cocktails!

THE CLASSIC CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL

Classic champagne cocktail

This is one of the oldest recipes in the book, dating back to the mid-1800s, according to Difford’s Guide. The bitters add depth of flavor and a beautiful amber color, while the sugar continues to bubble as it dissolves, making your cocktail look like a glass full of sparkles.

What you’ll need:

  • 1 sugar cube (1 teaspoon sugar)
  • 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 4-6 ounces sparkling wine

To make this cocktail, simply saturate a sugar cube with a few drops of Angostura bitters. Drop the cube into a champagne flute, and slowly top glass with sparkling wine. Garnish with a lemon or orange rind. This cocktail is a great way to keep things simple but still put a twist on your glass of champagne.

CHAMPAGÑERITA

The champagñerita cocktail

This champagne cocktail is a twist on everyone’s favorite salted-rim tequila and lime cocktail: the margarita. But this version has a sugared rim instead of a salted one.

What you’ll need:

  • 1 teaspoon simple syrup
  • 1 ounce tequila
  • 1 ounce orange liqueur (we used Grand Marnier)
  • 1 ounce fresh-squeezed lime juice
  • 2 ounces champagne
  • Lime rounds and sugar for garnish

Start by sugaring your champagne flute. To do this, run a lime wedge along the rim of the flute and then dip into a plate of sugar. Add the tequila, simple syrup, orange liqueur and lime juice to the glass and swirl to mix. Top off glass with champagne and voilà! Your champagñerita is served. We think this cocktail is great for anyone vacationing somewhere tropical this holiday season, or if you just want to be reminded of the sunshine.

Make it keto: To make this cocktail keto-friendly, replace the simple syrup with a teaspoon of stevia or monk fruit extract.

HOLIDAY SUNSET FIZZ

The holiday sunset fizz cocktail

This sunset-colored cocktail has no hard alcohol, for everyone out there avoiding liquor. Rosemary is a great herb to use during the holiday because it has that Christmas tree taste that gets you in the mood for Christmastime. Rosemary’s earthy tones pair surprisingly well with fruitier cocktails.

What you’ll need:

  • 1 ounce cranberry juice
  • 1 ounce orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon rosemary-infused simple syrup
  • 4 ounces champagne
  • Sugared rosemary and cranberry for garnish

Start by making the simple syrup. Simple syrup is 1 part sugar, 1 part water (i.e. 1/4 cup water, 1/4 cup sugar). Add your desired quantity of sugar and water and 1 sprig of rosemary to a saucepan over low heat until the sugar has completely dissolved and the rosemary becomes fragrant, then set aside and let cool (this can be made several days ahead of time).

To make the cocktail, add orange juice, cranberry juice and simple syrup, and swirl to combine, then top with champagne. We like to garnish this cocktail with little pieces of sugared rosemary with cranberries at the end to make it look like holly! To do this, simply dip the rosemary and cranberries in a bowl of water and then coat with sugar. Poke a little hole into the cranberry using a toothpick, and then stick the rosemary stem in it. This cocktail is unique and refreshing, and relatively low on alcohol content, meaning you can keep them coming throughout the night.

CHAMPOLD FASHIONED 

The old fashioned champagne cocktail.

This one is for our all whiskey lovers out there. It’s a twist on the classic Old Fashioned, and it kicks the classic champagne cocktail up a notch by adding bourbon.

What you’ll need:

  • 1 sugar cube (1 teaspoon sugar)
  • 1 ounce bourbon whiskey
  • 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 4 ounces champagne

Orange peel and cocktail cherry for garnish

To make this cocktail, soak a sugar cube with 2 or 3 dashes of bitters, then add bourbon and top with champagne. Top it off with a cocktail cherry, an orange slice, or both. This cocktail is simple and not too sweet.

Make it keto: To make this cocktail keto-friendly, replace the simple syrup with a teaspoon of stevia or monk fruit extract.

MORE: 4 herbal mocktails that are just as good as any cocktail

CITRUS AND SMASHED BASIL FIZZ

The old fashioned champagne cocktail.

This jewel-toned cocktail gets it beautiful color from blood oranges, which are in season all winter and look beautiful and festive during the holidays because of their deep red color. The basil adds a nice earthiness to accent the bitterness of the citrus and also adds a nice pop of green color.

What you’ll need:

  • 1 ounce blood orange juice
  • 1 basil leaf
  • 4 ounces champagne
  • 1 small basil leaf and orange peel for garnish

To make this cocktail, smack a basil leaf between both hands to release its natural oils, then tear it into a few pieces and add to the champagne flute. Next, add the blood orange juice and then top with champagne. Add a splash of Grand Marnier to the cocktail to really enhance the orange flavor. Garnish with a fresh basil leaf and blood orange rind. This cocktail is the perfect mix of light and fruity.

FUN WITH GARNISHES

If you really want to get creative this holiday season, try coating your garnishes with sugar. To do this, dip the garnish in water or citrus juice and then coat it in granulated sugar. This makes it look like the garnish is covered in snow.

So there you have it: Five champagne cocktails to help shake up your next celebration.

Dom Perignon was believed to have said, “Come quickly, I’m tasting the stars!” when he first tasted champagne back in the 16th century, and we definitely think Dom was onto something. There’s something downright cosmic about sipping sparkling wine. So, it’s time to get celebrating! We hope that these recipes will bring the taste of stars to you as you welcome in the new year.

Dipping garnishes like lime or orange slices in granulated sugar can create the illusion of snow.

Check out these recipes to up your kitchen game: 

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