How to use Champagne to make stunning cocktails

Hosting a festive party? Breathe a sigh of relief, for you’ve come to the right place. We’re here with some drinkspiration to impress and entertain your guests, while YOU secretly guzzle Champagne in the kitchen.

Yippee! So, how do you keep everyone happy?

For once, the answer really is Champagne.

Well, Champagne, Cremant and sparkling Prosecco cocktails, to be precise!

The trick is to bombard your guests with a barrage of fun, sophistication and novelty all packed neatly into one little glass of joy. It’s the perfect distraction technique. It also means you can afford to splash out a little more on an impressive bottle as it’ll go much further. Here’s how you do it…

1. Decorate the rim of your glasses

Run a wedge of lemon/lime or flavored liqueur around the rim of the glass, then dip in white, brown or even gold sugar. Tah-dah! It’s already looking impressive and you’ve hardly even begun.

Credit: cookingwithJanica.com

2. Use fresh fruit

Champagne and Cremant make a great base as they help to bring out the flavor in the fruit. Experiment by stocking up on some oranges, lemons, tangerines and berries. Combine them for different color and flavor combos.

Credit: crazyforcrust

Above: Warming Cremant de Limoux Cocktail. Take 25ml white rum, 50 ml pineapple juice and top of with some Francoise Gazeau Cremant de Limoux Brut. Perfection.

3. Add a splash of oomph!

This can be a shot of spirit like brandy, or a flavored liqueur like elderflower.

Credit: Spoonforkbacon

Above: Combine JP Moulin Champagne, brandy, a sugar cube, and Angostura Bitters. Be flashy and top with an orange peel.

4. Add the Champagne slowly to avoid bubble overspill

Make sure it’s well chilled and serve immediately for the best effect. Yum.

Credit: damndelicious.net

5. Choose a garnish (be creative!)

If you’re pining for more holiday decor, why not add a sprig of rosemary (it’ll look like a Christmas tree in a glass!) In the example below, they added blackberry syrup to create the contrast in color. You can recreate the same thing at home by heating berries, sugar and water in pan, leaving the mixture to cool, then pouring into the bottom of the flutes.

Credit: thecookierookie.com

6. Or a candy cane!

Easy peasy! Add a dash of white creme de cocoa to Prosecco for extra pepperminty freshness.

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7. Or sugar crystal sticks…

Just pour a glass of nice Champagne and add a sugar crystal stick for a simple and impressive touch. You can pick these up for a couple bucks here.

Credit: WhatCheSaid

8. Or fluffy clouds of heaven

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Ooh la la. Try adding a cloud of cotton candy. It’ll dissolve as you pour the Champagne over it, which will a) look awesome and b) convince everyone you should host a Food Network show.