The Best Champagne Cocktails to Make for Holiday Parties

When holiday party season is in full swing, there are few better ways to impress your guests than with a champagne cocktail. Here are three sparkling picks for your next soiree.

1. Champagne Sidecar

From Special Club, New York City

Makes four drinks

• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• Zest from 1 orange, removed in long strips with a vegetable peeler
• 4 oz cognac
• 3 oz fresh lemon juice
• 16 oz dry champagne, chilled

1. In small saucepan, bring sugar and 1⁄2 cup water to a boil over high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.
2. Add orange zest, reserving 4 strips. Remove from heat and let steep for 15 minutes; strain.
3. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake cognac, lemon juice, and 2 oz orange syrup.
4. Divide among four chilled coupe glasses. Top with champagne; garnish with reserved orange zest.

2. Cardinal

From French 75 Bar, New Orleans

• 1⁄2 oz Courvoisier cognac
• 1 oz red wine syrup*
• 1⁄2 oz lemon juice
• 3 oz sparkling wine, like Mumm

1. Combine cognac, red wine syrup, and lemon juice in a shaker.
2. Fill with ice, shake until chilled, and strain into a champagne glass.
3. Top with sparkling wine and garnish with lemon twist.
   

*Red Wine Syrup

• 2 cups red wine, like a cabernet or other savory red
• 14 oz sugar
• 5 oz orange trimmings
• 20 cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick

1. Add all ingredients to a saucepan. Simmer for 20 minutes; strain and cool.

3. Space Juice for Jered

From Punch House, Chicago

Makes roughly 20 drinks

• 1 bottle (750 ml) reposado tequila
• 12 oz sparkling wine
• 8 oz Campari
• 3 oz fresh lime juice
• 3 oz fresh lemon juice
• 3 cups fresh grapefruit juice
• 2 cups black pepper tea (1 tbsp peppercorns steeped in simmering water for 20 minutes)
• The peels of 2 lemons and 2 grapefruit
• 5 oz sugar

1. Combine ingredients in a punch bowl over a large block of ice. Garnish with a handful of fresh sage leaves.

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