Concerned about what you'll be sipping and who you'll be kissing when the ball drops on Friday night? Ordinary mimosas and bellinis are for couples amateurs. These Champagne and sparkling wine cocktails will ensure proper New Year's Eve action no matter how inappropriate.
• 4 parts Brut Champagne
• 1 part Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur
• Splash of cranberry juice
When it comes down to it, isn't the Soulmate what you're really looking for on New Years? The very affordable Korbel uses Brut Champagne (dry, not sweet) and Chambord for a pink, fizzy flute. In a tall glass, combine champagne, Chambord and ice. Top with a splash of cranberry juice and practice your wink.
Mix equal parts:
• St.-Germain Elderflower Liqueur
• Champagne (dry sparkling wine or Brut Rosé will work too)
• Garnish with a lemon twist or strawberry
From the foothills of the French Alps, St-Germain is a mildly sweet, natural addition made from hand-picked elderflower blossoms. (I recently had one--or three--of these at The Breakers Tapestry Bar in Palm Beach.) During the past year, St-Germain has popped up in most upscale bars, giving even cheap Champagne an extra oomph.
Bon Vie
(courtesy of Whiskey Blue)
Blend:
• Piper-Heidsieck Champagne
• Cointreau (or another brand of triple sec)
• Peach Schnapps
• Mix with a splash of pineapple and cranberry juices
Yes, it has a lot of ingredients, and yes, it's served for $15 a flute at The W Hotel's Whiskey Blue bar in Ft. Lauderdale. But note: the owner of this bar is married to Cindy Crawford, k? So he knows what he's doing. Make this drink.
Prosecco & Pear
• 4 parts Prosecco
• 1 part chilled pear nectar (like Looza)
• a sprinkle of cardamom or black peppercorn
Prosecco is delicious on its own, but combined with pear nectar and a sprinkle of cardamom gives it a bit of spice. Plus, there's nothing like owning cardamom to show your culinary range. A very simple recipe that the ladies will love and the dudes will drink to appear evolved.
Veuve's Near Side
• ½ oz vodka
• ½ oz lemon juice
• ½ oz grapefruit
• ½ oz simple syrup
• ½ oz Campari
• 2 ½ oz Veuve Clicquot
• Pour all ingredients except Champagne into mixing glass with ice. Shake and strain into coupe.Top with Veuve, garnish with a lemon twist.
Can you say fancy? Created by a French widow named Clicquot in the mid-1800s, Veuve will make your guests think you're a millionaire, or at least very, very international. Mixed with vodka and Campari, it will be easy to get someone, ahem, near your side. Plus, anything this French is sure to get you some tongue.
Follow Clean Plate Charlie on Twitter: @CleanPlateBPB.
