Foodie Friday: Champagne Cocktails

If I had to choose a favorite type of white wine, champagne and sparkling wine would be far above all the rest.  It all started when Husband and I were engaged.  Seriously…is there any other extended period of time when you drink so much champagne?!  My favorite champagne is made by G.H. Martel…but sometimes I just want something a little bit more fun.  So just in time for New Year’s Eve…I’m bringing you a line up of champagne cocktails to help ring in 2011!  

Classic Champagne Cocktail
 

Sometimes I’m just an old-fashioned gal.  The basic Champagne cocktail has been popular ever since the mid-1800s, and I just love it!  Here’s the classic recipe, as listed on MarthaStewart.com:

3 drops bitters
1 sugar cube
1 oz Cognac
4 oz chilled Champagne

Drop bitters on sugar cube; let soak in.  Place sugar cube in a Champagne flute. Add Cognac and top with Champagne.

Kir Royale
 

I don’t think there is a simpler recipe out there than the Kir Royale.  You can make it sweet or strong, depending on the proportions.  All you need is Creme de Cassis and dry Champagne or Sparkling wine.  Make sure to put the Creme de Cassis in the glass first and your drink will mix itself.

French 75

If you’re looking for a strong drink – look no further.  According to wikipedia, this recipes was said “to have such a kick that it felt like being shelled with the powerful French 75mm howitzer artillery piece”.  Here’s the recipe as cited on SeriousEats.com:

1 T cold gin

1 T lemon juice

1 or 2 sugar cubes

Champagne, chilled

Lemon twists, for garnish

Pour the cold gin and lemon juice in a champagne flute. Top with cold champagne. Garnish with a lemon twist.  As you serve the cocktail, drop a sugar cube to the bottom of the glass and watch the cocktail come to life as it fizzes and pops.

Black Velvet
 

Are you more of a beer drinker?  Try a 4:1 ratio of sparkling wine to black irish stout for a bubbly way to enjoy your celebration. (Recipe from FoodNetwork.com)

If you want to experiment some more, here are a few websites with more recipes. Yum!
AvalonWine.com (The geek in me loves the little bit of history also offered at this page!)
Martha Stewart
Food Network

Don’t forget to keep it safe…and have a happy New Year!