13 Favorite Champagne Cocktails For New Year's Eve
Between the flurry of holiday parties and family gatherings that fill the social calendar this time of year, chances are that by the time New Year's Eve rolls around, you're starting to experience a little sparkling wine exhaustion.
Not that anyone here would say no to another night of simple, champagne-fueled imbibing, but why not expand your bubbly horizons to include some sparkling cocktails this holiday?
Jonathan Pogash, cocktail expert and co-editor of the 75th anniversay edition of the renowned Mr. Boston's Official Bartender's Guide says, "Fresh and seasonal fruits work extremely well in sparkling cocktails, the level of sweetness in these fruits balances out the wide array of flavors that burst in sparkling wines." As for spirits, he notes that gin works particularly well in bubbly cocktails because of its herbal-botanical qualities, but he also enjoys using dark liquors and bitters-based spirits (like bourbon and Fernet-Branca, for example).
One of his favorite sparkling cocktails from the book? A seasonally appropriate creation called the Cranberry Spiced Sparkler, made with pumpkin pie spice, agave nectar, lemon juice, sparkling wine, and fresh cranberries.
Check out the recipes below for some ideas for great sparkling cocktails to make this New Year's Eve.
A sugar cube, bitters, and, of course, your favorite champagne are all that are needed to create this simple, classy cocktail. Make this to add some fizz to your end-of-the-year festivities.
A French classic, this recipe uses Chambord for a raspberry kick.
There's no going wrong with this classic Prohibition-era cocktail made with cognac, lemon juice, simple syrup, and champagne.
Peacock Alley Champagne Cocktail
The famous Waldorf-Astoria in New York City features a champagne delight in honor of the international Champagne Day, made with Galliano infused with black peppercorns and fresh strawberries.
Raspberry-Champagne Mojito Recipe
Another raspberry-infused champagne sparkler, the mojito lovers in the crowd will go crazy for this cocktail.
This superb sparkler, featured in Mr. Boston's Official Bartender's Guide: 75th Anniversary Edition, mixes in cinnamon schnapps and apple cider for a wonderful spicy-sweet effect.
Celebrity chef Rick Bayless considers this fantastic combination of bracing champagne and limey margarita the "best of both sides of the Atlantic." A perfect apéritif to enliven your taste buds.
Pink Grapefruit-Champagne Sorbet Cocktail
This elegant refresher from renowned cookbook author and dessert maven David Lebovitz floats champagne-infused grapefruit sorbet in a glass of chilled bubbly.
An updated sangria with seasonal fruit, brandy, chablis, and champagne.
Mayan Sacrifice Champagne Cocktail
Don't be turned off by the name — just because the world didn't end doesn't mean you can't enjoy a tequila-based champagne cocktail. The drink is made with Xtabentun, an anise liqueur of Mayan origin.
Spice up your New Year's Eve celebration with this Sriracha-spiked creation featuring St-Germain, ginger liqueur, and champagne.
Inspired by the classic Kir Royale, this sublime ice cream-champagne float features vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of raspberry coulis spiked with Chambord, and a splash of bubbly.
For those that prefer a tipple that sways to the sweeter side, try this sweet sparkling cocktail made with brandy and fresh muddled strawberries.
This story was originally published on Dec. 30, 2011; the story has been updated.