December 27, 2019

Start stocking that wine refrigerator because you'll be going through some bottles of bubbly with these extra effervescent cocktails! Whether you plan on throwing a wild new year's party or you plan on curling up with your cat at midnight, these champagne cocktails will make your night sparkle. Packed with festive flavors and simple to make, you'll wish 2019 would never end.

Choosing your champagne

If you have a favorite champagne or sparkling wine label, always go with your favorite, you will enjoy these drinks so much more. However, if you don't have a favorite winemaker, we recommend finding a mid-shelf dry champagne.

The reason why we don't recommend going cheap with your champagne is because it will compose the majority of your drink and you will be able to taste it. We also recommend going with drier champagne because it will balance out the sweet flavor additions. However, it comes down to your tastes and what you enjoy.

How to perfectly chill champagne

Before you get started with your festive bubbly beverages, you'll need some champagne, a lot of it and preferably perfectly chilled. Now, you're probably thinking, "That's easy, I'll just stick in the freezer". Don't you dare! Rapidly chilling your champagne at this low temperature can kill the bubbles! Plus, people frequently forget their champagne in the freezer and there is a dangerous chance of your bottle exploding.

Ideally, you should be storing your champagne horizontally in a wine refrigerator because it ensures your champagne will be evenly cooled but it isn't cold enough to be damaging to the delicate sparkling wine. Even a regular refrigerator isn't ideal for storing and chilling your champagne because it doesn't have humidity control, which prevents the cork from drying out.

The best method for achieving perfectly chilled champagne is storing in a wine refrigerator until you're about ready to serve and then chill the bottle in a bucket of ice until it reaches about 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit, it should only take about 5 minutes.

Drinks to make you clink (yes, clinking is required)

Now, that you have your champagne perfectly chilled, you're probably getting pretty thirsty. Luckily, these cocktails are so simple, it won't take you until next year to craft them. They can be made in minutes and with minimal ingredients. Cheers to that!

1. Thyme to Ring in the New Year

This champagne cocktail has the festive flavors of thyme and blackberries for a sophisticated black-tie new year's party. You'll be drinking this cocktail with your pinkies up because you'll feel as fancy as this drink is.

Start with making the fancy flavored simple syrup. In a saucepan, add blackberries, water, and sugar to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes and allow it to cool. This simple syrup will last about a week in the refrigerator.

You can rim the glass with sugar for a fun and fancy touch. To assemble the cocktail, grab your glass and add 1 ounce of gin. Add a couple of blackberries and 2 ounces of your simple syrup. Top with champagne to finish and add a spring of thyme to garnish.

2. The Unstop-apple Mimosa

You'll be counting down...all the glasses of these you'll be having before midnight because this delicious combination of caramel and apple is addicting. This drink will have you ready to power through the next year and the next adventure.

Optional but fun, you can take a plate with caramel syrup on it and rim your glass with caramel then dip it into cinnamon sugar.

To create your drink, pour 2 ounces of apple cider and 1 ounce of caramel vodka into your glass. Pour champagne to fill the remaining glass and garnish with an apple slice.

3. A Fresh Start

Here's a refreshing take on the classic mimosa for a fresh start to the new year! Instead of boring old orange juice, this cocktail contains a scoop of sorbet. So if you're planning on partying into the next year or you need a refreshing breakfast cocktail for your new year's breakfast, try this one.

Take a scoop of orange or tangerine sorbet and place it into your glass (use a melon baller for the perfect little champagne flute-sized scoops). Then just pour your champagne on top and enjoy!

4. Midnight Mule

You won't be caught without a drink in your hand when the clock strikes midnight with this bubbly mule mixture. Like your classic mule, it has a refreshing and crisp flavor but with an elegant touch of champagne.

In your glass, pour 1 ounce of vodka and fresh lime juice. Follow up with 2 ounces of ginger beer in the glass and top with champagne. Garnish your drink with limes and mint.

5. Black Cherry Ball Drop

Watch the ball drop with this rich and fruity black cherry champagne cocktail. This boozy and luscious flavor bomb is better than a kiss at midnight. Spread the new year cheer with this impressive and festive drink.

Start with making a cherry puree to add that rich punch of cherry into the cocktail. Using the juice from jarred cherries (preferably cherries in Kirsch), reduce the juice in a saucepan until 1/3 is left (about 20 minutes). After the juice has been cooled combine the cherries and the juice again in a blender. Blend and use or store for 1-2 days in the refrigerator.

You can rim the glass with some sugar and some edible glitter for a festive touch. To serve, fill the glass with 1/3 cherry puree and drop a few cherries in the glass. Finally, fill the glass with champagne and celebrate!