It’s Time to Celebrate with 4 Easy-to-Make Champagne Cocktails

Feeling French? Ready to pop the cork from a stunning bottle of Champagne to celebrate the holidays, a special birthday, engagement, anniversary or [fill in the blank]? Of course you are – I am, too! Champagne expresses elements that every celebratory moment needs: classic good taste with a bit of surprise, persistence (the bubbles, remember?), and a magnificent ending.  My #Winophiles colleagues feel the same – each of us is linking to the others’ holiday Champagne suggestions (see below).

When Champagne is used in a cocktail, the moment becomes magnificent! Enjoy making and sipping the four incredibly simple Champagne cocktails described below. (And remember, we can only call that glass of bubbly “Champagne” if it comes from the Champagne region of France.)

Champagne! Located about 90 miles northeast of Paris, at the northernmost zone for vine cultivation, continental and oceanic influences abound in Champagne.  Often, debilitating winter frosts, vast amount of sunshine in the summer, cool temperatures, and consistent rainfall are elements that affect each harvest. Hillside homes and underground cellars dot the landscape in the four main growing regions: Montagne de Reims, Vallee de la Marne, Côte des Blancs, and Côte des Bar.

With a limited availability of land (at an extremely high price, by the way), there is no space left for additional grape growing. Of the approximately 20,000 land owners, 5000 produce their own estate wines; the majority produce Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay grapes that are sold to large Champagne houses.  Yields are decided upon prior to harvest in order to focus on excellence, not volume.  Champagne growers are focused on consistency of quality and style through blending grapes, plots, and villages.

 

French 75 Champagne Cocktail

A Classic French 75 Champagne Cocktail uses only four ingredients – and no running to the store for any special mixer or liqueur. Whether you’re sipping by the fire, entertaining friends or need an elegant drink, this is it. Serves 2.

3 ounces Gin (+2 Tablespoons)

3 tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice

3 tablespoons Simple Syrup

½ cup Brut Champagne

 

Port Raspberry Spritz

Light the fire and stay warm with this luscious Champagne cocktail with port, vermouth and pop of raspberries. Serves 1

1 ounce port wine

1 ounce Vermouth

1 ounce raspberry puree

3 ounces Champagne

 

The Poinsettia

This go-to Champagne cocktail is delicious, low in alcohol and takes seconds to make. It can also be modified to satisfy the non-drinkers who stop by for a visit so have the ingredients at the ready! Serves 1

Brut Champagne

½ ounce Cointreau

3 ounces Cranberry Juice

 

Sparkling Cognac

Elegant, sophisticated and oh-so-French is the Sparkling Cognac. Can’t get to Paris or Bordeaux this year? Make this cocktail instead and start planning your next trip. Serves 1

1/2 part Cognac

1/2 part Brut Champagne

1 Sugar Cube

 

Cheers! ~ Cindy

Celebrate with Champagne! Enjoy the following articles written by my #Winophiles colleagues.

• Camilla at Culinary Cam shares “A Royally Good Match: The King of Mushrooms + The Wine of Kings”
• Robin at Crushed Grape Chronicles shares “Champagne Cattier – Sustainable Champagne creating a home for the hedgehogs”
• Jane at Always Ravenous shares “Champagne Paired with Roasted Oysters with Bacon and Leeks”
• Gwendolyn at Wine Predator….Gwendolyn Alley shares “Special Wines for Special Occasions: Champagne! It’s Not Just for Toasts!”
• Martin at Enofylz shares “How I Learned To Expand Champagne’s Role At The Table”
• Jeff at Food Wine Click! shares “Hidden Champagne: The Côte des Bar”