Archive December 29, 2006

A Bubbly Mix

Recently I’ve been taking some heat about my apparent obsession with champagne. Come on, it’s a staple of the holidays! Just one more for now. These will be perfect for New Year’s morning.

Champagne is fabulous on it own, but at times it’s fun to mix it up. Here are a few great Champagne drinks that can start your day right. Good rule of thumb - always pour the mixers in first to avoid bubbling over. You don’t need to use anything too expensive since you are diluting the taste of the champagne. (But not too cheap either- about $10) Now, grab your champagne flute and let’s go.

Probably the best known Champagne drinks is the Mimosa (my favorite way to get vitamin C). Take a champagne flute, pour in a little orange juice and top it off with champagne. Make it look pretty by adding a slice of orange to the rim.

Another favorite is a Kir Royale. Pour a little Chambord (or any blackberry liquor or crème de cassis) in the bottom of a flute, plop in a berry for garnish and top it off with champagne.

A Bellini is always a crowd pleaser. It’s made with peach liquor or schnapps. Yes - you guessed it, garnish it with a slice of peach.

Want something crazy and out of the ordinary? How about a Black Velvet-Guiness (or a black Irish stout) and champagne. (I have no idea what to garnish that with, but I’m open to suggestions.)

The Poinsetta is a holiday special. Pour some Triple Sec (a colorless orange-flavored liqueur) in the bottom of the flute with a splash of cranberry juice for color and top it off with champagne.

My newest favorite is the Champagne Mojito - yes a mojito. In a separate glass muddle about 4-5 mint leaves and a lime slice. Take that concoction and put it in a flute. Top it off with bubbly and garnish with a lime.

And last but certainly not least – a Champagne Cocktail! Soak a sugar cube in bitters (a mix of herbs and citrus dissolved in alcohol or glycerine with a bitter / bittersweet flavor) drop it into a flute, fill the flute with Champagne and garnish with a twist of lemon. This classic drink dates back to at least the mid-19th century. (We all need more history right?)

Cheers to you all and have a FABULOUS New Year!

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