Champagne is a gift from on high, a bubbly blast of lavishness… it is of course, a libation of the most celebratory order. It is loved by almost all, but champagne has feelings too, and we here at WA think they may actually be pretty hurt. Everyday, champagne is poured, all alone, into the same old flute glass, with nothing to keep it company. Let’s right this wrong, let’s give champagne a playmate or two to get to know before it takes that long trip to our inhospitable stomachs. Champagne cocktails… it’s the right thing to do.
The Champagne Mojito
– 1 Cup Sugar
– 1 Cup Water
– 1 Cup Mint leaves (pack ‘em in tight)
– 2 Cups Light Rum
– 3 Cups Champagne or sparkling wine
Everybody loves mojitos. Everybody loves champagne. Hear those gears clicking? Good. If you know how to make a mojito and you have champagne on hand (we don’t know why you wouldn’t) then you should be able to figure this one out. But, we’re gonna go ahead and tell you anyways.
First, make some mint simple syrup. As the name implies, it’s pretty simple. Put your sugar, water and mint in a pot. Bring that pot to a boil and stir a bit. Once the sugar dissolves, take it off the heat and let it cool down to room temperature. Then, combine your simple syrup with all of the other ingredients in a big ‘ole pitcher and devour it, responsibly of course.
The Lava Lamp
– 1 package of Jell-O (any color you like)
– 1 cup of water
– 1 cup of vodka
– 1 bottle of Champagne (750 ML)
Why? Because it looks like a lava lamp. In all seriousness, you don’t have to have a funky van with a rad paint job and shag carpeting to enjoy this drink, it’s a fun and potent party maker with visual appeal that most other cocktails can’t hold a candle (or a lava lamp) to. It’s Jello shots plus a whole lot of champagne, not all too hard to make… but we can help. Let’s get down to it.
Take a cup of boiling water and pour it into a large bowl with the gelatin/jello mix. Then pour your vodka in and stir it all up until the mix is dissolved. Put your boozey gelatin into small paper cups and then let them cool until they’re nice and firm. Once they’ve cooled, fill a bunch of glasses with champagne, break up your jello shots real well with a fork and then plop ‘em right in. The bubbles will work their magic and you’ve got yourself a potable lava lamp. Best enjoyed with sideburns, doorframe beads and that Santana record you stole from your Dad.
The Champagne Margarita
– 1.5oz (1 shot) of Blanco Tequila
– 1.5oz of lemonade
– 1oz of pomegranate juice
– 4 oz. Champagne
– Salt
Though they have their differences, tequila and champagne are both drinks that make a great celebration. Our logic is, combine them and your celebration will be at least twice as good. Go ahead, try and prove us wrong. These bubbly, agave-infused cheer bringers are easy to make and even easier to drink.
Simply pour your tequila (make sure it’s white/blanco tequila!) your lemonade and your pomegranate juice into a cocktail shaker chock full of ice. Shake it all up (duh) and then strain into a rocks glass, of which you have salted the rim. Top it all off with champagne (as much as you like) and prepare to party. Great for summer, even better for summer in winter!
The Champagne Float
– 1/4 cup of sorbet (you pick the flavor)
– 1/2 cup of Prosecco
– 1 slice of Lime
Perhaps it’s the subtle simplicity of the Champagne Float that makes it so amazing. Or maybe it’s just the fact that sorbet and Prosecco are a more exciting couple than Kimye. We could spend a long time talking about it, but we won’t. Take a scoop of sorbet, put it in a glass and then top it off with Prosecco- if you like, garnish it with some lime. Repeat. Repeat.
The Jubal Early Punch
– 1 cup sugar
– 1 cup lemon juice
– 1 cup water
– 4 oz. dark rum
– 1 1/2 cups brandy
– 1 bottle (750 ml) of Brut Champagne
If you’re having a champagne party and don’t want to spend three hours filling glasses, you might consider making a big ‘ole bowl of punch. You won’t have to worry about anybody spiking it, you’ll do quite a bit of that on your own. This punch is named after the old Confederate General Jubal Anderson Early, and (north or south) it is the perfect beverage to lead fellow partiers into a dance battle.
To honor old Jubal’s memory, simply dissolve that sugar in the lemon juice and water, then pour in the rum and the brandy. Let it sit for a while so all of the ingredients can get to know each other, and just before serving pour in that bottle of bubbly! Three cheers for champagne punch!
