The Kir Royale combines the flavors of black currant and champagne to make a fascinating apéritif – but you can drink it anyway you like. If you’re looking to impress someone with a sophisticated cocktail, Kir Royale is a great choice. It’s easy to make ... READ MORE]]> The Kir Royale combines the flavors of black currant and champagne to make a fascinating apéritif – but you can drink it anyway you like. If you’re looking to impress someone with a sophisticated cocktail, Kir Royale is a great choice. It’s easy to make and it tastes wonderful – and champagne flutes always add a touch of class. But it’s also a fun drink, suitable for just hanging out or enjoying before a casual barbecue with a few friends.

Kir Royale

• Crème de cassis
• Champagne

Pour the Crème de cassis in the bottom of a champagne flute. Fill up the rest of the glass with champagne.

The reason I didn’t specify amount ratios is that some recipes call for 1 part Crème de cassis to 9 parts champagne, others call for 1 to 3 and others call for 1 to 5. You can experiment and find the balance you like. If you’re serving it to guests, encourage them to give you feedback – too much or too little? Let them try it different ways. This can actually serve as a great icebreaker as people discuss and debate how they like the drink prepared.

Before white wine

Perhaps the very best way to enjoy this drink would be as an apéritif before a meal that’s appropriate to white wine. Then you can break out a bottle (or bottles) of white to serve along with the dinner. This gives the whole meal and get-together a wonderful flow.

All of these drinks are Pirate Santa approved.

There are a number of traditional Christmas or winter holiday drinks, but in recent years people have gotten very creative. Some people have created Christmas-themed cocktails from scratch, while others have added Christmas twists to existing cocktail ... READ MORE]]>

All of these drinks are Pirate Santa approved.

There are a number of traditional Christmas or winter holiday drinks, but in recent years people have gotten very creative. Some people have created Christmas-themed cocktails from scratch, while others have added Christmas twists to existing cocktail recipes. This is a collection of… well, whatever struck my fancy as a winter holiday cocktail.

1. Eggnog is a tradition for a reason. It tastes great with or without alcohol, which makes it perfect for gatherings that include drinkers and non-drinkers.
2. Hot Buttered Rum is a classic, cuddly sort of drink – perfect for small parties and parties of two.
3. Mulled Wine is a wintertime classic – red wine with sugar and all sorts of spices.
4. It’s not exactly “cocktails” and certainly not traditional, but you can make Skittles Vodka in red and green in presentation flasks – or Vodka Gummi Bears in red and green.
5. The Peppermint Stick uses white crème de cacao and peppermint schnapps to get a mint chocolate flavor. Easy to serve one by one or in premixed pitchers.
6. The Chocolate Snake Bite doesn’t sound very Christmasy, but it’s Kahlua, Bailey’s, Goldschlager and brown crème de cacao, so how much more holiday spirit could you ask for?
7. The Cookie Dough is a simple but gorgeous two-layered shot with amaretto, Bailey’s and cinnamon.
8. The Chocolate Raspberry Martini is just what it sounds like. Oh, yes, it is.
9. The Red Hot Santa Tini uses chili-pepper infused vodka and a rim that’s cocoa powder mixed with cayenne. Not your typical Christmas fare.
10. The Mistletoe Makeout looks like red velvet, but the flavors are acai and other berries with orange.
11. The Poinsettia is very simple: champagne, Cointreau and cranberry juice.
12. Sandra Lee’s Christmas Cocktail mixes pomegranate, pear and champagne.

As you might guess from the name, the Bellini is an Italian classic. The original recipe came from Venice and was simply two parts Prosecco (Italian sparkling wine) to one part white peach puree with a touch of raspberry or cherry juice, which gave the ... READ MORE]]> As you might guess from the name, the Bellini is an Italian classic. The original recipe came from Venice and was simply two parts Prosecco (Italian sparkling wine) to one part white peach puree with a touch of raspberry or cherry juice, which gave the drink a unique translucent pink hue. Since then, the recipe has developed a number of variations, largely because white peaches weren’t available everywhere at all times.

Bellini Recipe

• White peach puree
• Prosecco

The classic Bellini recipe is very simple. Just put one tablespoon of white peach puree into the bottom of a chilled flute glass. Now fill the glass slowly with Prosecco or champagne so it stirs up the puree.

For a non-alcoholic treat, use non-alcoholic sparking wine in place of the champagne.

Bellini for 2 (without fresh fruit)

If you haven’t got access to peaches and raspberries to puree, here’s a version of the drink that uses all bottled and canned ingredients. Remember: this one will pack a much bigger alcohol wallop than the traditional version.

Mix everything but the champagne together in a chilled flute glass. Add the champagne, stir and serve for two.

The drink of champions

In case it’s not already obvious, this is a wonderful alternative to a mimosa, and therefore a terrific breakfast or brunch drink. Egg dishes are especially great, like Asparagus and Mushroom Quiche, Bacon, Cheddar & Pea Frittata or a Very Veggie Omelet.

When you want champagne, but it doesn’t have the kick you’re looking for, you can always go for the French 75. It’s a champagne, gin and lemon cocktail with a hell of a kick. Sounds like an odd combination, but it ends up being a ... READ MORE]]> When you want champagne, but it doesn’t have the kick you’re looking for, you can always go for the French 75. It’s a champagne, gin and lemon cocktail with a hell of a kick. Sounds like an odd combination, but it ends up being a pretty interesting blend of fruit and herbal flavors.

The French 75

• 1 ounce gin
• Juice of ¼ lemon
• ½ ounce simple syrup
• 4 ounces Champagne

Vigorously shake the gin, lemon juice and simple syrup with ice, pour or strain into a tall glass ( ice cubes in the drink are optional). Add the champagne and stir.

Meat!

This drink goes well with beef. A nice, medium rare steak is perfect with a French 75. So is a simple Philly Cheese Steak sandwich. Or a French dip with au jus.