It’s a tradition to bring in the New Year with a glass of champagne and a cheery toast. It’s not surprising that December 31st happens to be National Champagne Day!
Here are a few of my favorite champagne cocktails to celebrate the season in style!
First up is my super-swank Bellini Manhattan! This cocktail combines two of my favorite drinks into one luscious libation. Just shake up bourbon, peach puree, sweet vermouth, strain into a martini glass and top it off with a splash of bubbly! For some bling-bling action, I like to garnish with Gold Cherries: drain maraschino cherries well then toss in some gold luster dust (available at cake decorating stores such as Cookies in Ballard) and stir to evenly coat.
A d’lish tray of my Pear Thyme Fizz!
(Photo from Kathy Casey’s Sips & Apps, Chronicle Books – Angie Norwood Browne)
If a lighter spirit is more your style, then try my Pear Thyme Fizz. It’s another of my favorite holiday season sips. This cocktail features pear vodka, lemon and fresh thyme – and of course a splash of champagne! The fresh thyme adds a lovely dry note to this cocktail.
So break out the bubbly and get ready to celebrate! Cheers to a Happy New Year! –Kathy
For more great cocktail recipes check out my cocktail show www.liquidkitchen.tv
Bellini Manhattan
Makes 1 cocktail
1 1/2 oz Maker’s 46 Bourbon
1/2 oz Peach Puree (check out this video of how to make it)
3/4 oz red vermouth
3/4 oz – 1 oz splash brut champagne
Garnish: Gilded Cherry
Measure the bourbon, peach puree and red vermouth into a mixing glass. Fill with ice.
Cap and shake vigorously. Strain into a large martini glass. Add a splash of champagne. Garnish with a cherry.
Gilded Cherries
1/2 cup maraschino cherries – DRAINED WELL
3/4 – 1 tsp. Gold Luster Dust
Make the cherries in a container that you are going to store the cherries. It is important that the cherries be very well drained. Place the cherries in the container and add the luster dust. Stir gently to coat cherries in gold. Do not over stir – over stirring makes the gold “stirred in” and not coating. Store refrigerated for up to 2 days.
Recipe © Kathy Casey Liquid Kitchen™
Pear Thyme Fizz
Fresh thyme’s savoriness is wonderful against the crisp dryness of pear.
Makes 1 drink
1 large sprig fresh thyme
3/4 ounce vodka
3/4 ounce pear vodka
1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
3/4 ounce Simple Syrup*
Splash of chilled brut Champagne, dry sparkling wine, or soda water
Garnish: thin slice of fresh pear and small sprig of fresh thyme
Bend the large thyme sprig and drop into a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice. Measure in the vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Cap and shake vigorously. Strain into a martini glass. Top with a splash of Champagne. Float a pear slice and thyme sprig in the drink for garnish.
* To make Simple Syrup: combine 1 part sugar and 1 part hot water. Stir to combine. Let it cool then store and refrigerate.
Recipe from Kathy Casey Sips & Apps, Chronicle Books
