December 2007 - Champagne Cockta

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December 2007 - Champagne Cocktails Back to Drink of the Month

It is a family tradition in my parents home (and now in my own) to serve champagne and orange juice during the present opening on Christmas morning. By the time breakfast is finally served, there is usually no champagne left!

Our first Christmas with our dog was interesting - as we posed for the family photograph (on the auto-timer), the dog was helping himself to champagne and orange juice from my glass!! (he is in the picture too!)

Our traditional recipe is simple - half champagne (or sparkling wine) and half orange juice.

Here are some alternatives:

Champagne and Pineapple Juice

3 tablespoons chilled unsweetened pineapple juice
1/3 cup champagne

Champagne Americana (serves 8)

(from Epicurious)

1/2 cup bourbon
3 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon Angostura bitters
Ice cubes
8 2-inch-long strips lemon peel (yellow part only)
1 750-ml bottle chilled dry Champagne or sparkling wine

Mix bourbon, sugar and bitters in glass measuring cup. Let stand until sugar begins to dissolve, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Fill eight 8-ounce wineglasses with ice cubes. Add 1 lemon peel strip to each glass. Divide bourbon mixture among wineglasses. Fill glasses with Champagne and serve.

Campari champagne cocktail

(from Epicurious)

4 1/2 tablespoons honey
4 1/2 tablespoons Campari
3/4 cup fresh orange juice

1 750-ml bottle champagne, chilled
6 small strawberries (optional)

Stir honey and Campari in 2-cup measuring cup until honey dissolves. Stir in orange juice. Cover and chill until cold, at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours.

Pour 3 tablespoons Campari mixture into each of 6 chilled Champagne flutes. Fill glasses with Champagne. Garnish with strawberries, if desired.

Southern Comfort champagne cocktail

(from Epicurious)

1 ounce Southern Comfort
Dash Angostura bitters
4 ounces chilled champagne
Twist lemon peel

Pour the Southern Comfort into a champagne glass, add bitters and champagne and garnish with the lemon peel. Alternatively, you may use either brandy (omitting the Angostura bitters and substituting an orange peel), or cognac (adding an additional dash or two of Angostura bitters and omitting the lemon peel).

Ohio Champagne Recipe

3/4 shot Rosso Vermouth
3/4 shot Canadian whiskey
1 dash triple sec (or Cointreau, Grand Marnier)
1 dash Angostura bitters
Champagne

Shake all but Champagne with ice, then strain into a Champagne flute. Top off with Champagne, toast and enjoy!

Enjoy, and Merry Christmas!

Jackie