You've had it up to here with cookies and are ready to break out the bubbly, right? A glass of champagne is perfect on its own, of course, but in case you're feeling creative, here are eight recipes for festive cocktails from recent books--many of which include sparkling wine--to help ring in 2011.
Bubbly Poinsettia
A.J. Rathbun, author of Champagne Cocktails (Harvard Common), calls this drink a "seasonal favorite." It's made with gin, grenadine, lemon juice, maraschino liqueur, and sparkling wine.
Chandon Brut Mojito
From Domaine Chandon Cookbook (Chronicle)--as in the French-owned wine producer in Napa Valley--comes a sparkling and minty mojito.
Death at Dusk
This recipe, from A Taste for Absinthe by R. Winston Guthrie with James F. Thompson (Clarkson Potter), uses crème de violette, a liqueur with
Four Seasons Blushing Angel
The recipe for this drink, from The Four Seasons Book of Cocktails by Fred Dubose (Sterling, Innovation), calls for Dubonnet Rouge, cranberry juice, Champagne, and an orange twist. Serve it in a footed tulip glass to help trap the cocktail's aroma.
Kir Imperiale
Kir Royale? Yawn. But this recipe, from Drinkology (Stewart, Tabori & Chang), uses Chambord, so it's raspberry-flavored, instead of currant. The
Schnapp, Crackle, & Pop
Goldschläger, apple vodka, and Champagne? Watch out. (From The Bartender's Best Friend [Wiley].)
Secret Crush
A variation on the Champagne cocktail, this drink is very sexy and inviting and makes a superb aperitif, as well as a great choice for pairing with antipasti, mezes, tapas, or seafood appetizers, say Jason Kosmas and Dushan Zaric, authors of Speakeasy (Ten Speed).
Yale College Punch
What is more festive than a beautiful silver punch bowl filled with a sparkling beverage and brightly-colored bits of fruit? This one, from Punch: The Delights (and Dangers) of the Flowing Bowl (Perigee) contains brandy, Champagne, and pineapple.
