The festive season is upon us, and nothing sets the mood like a bubbly cocktail. Instead of pouring a glass of sparkling wine, kick things up a notch with one of these seasonal cocktails that are sure to spread the joy and impress your guests. Cheers!
Bar Jo’s Champs-Elysees Royale
Ingredients:
- 1.5 ounces cognac
- 0.5 ounce génépi
- 0.5 ounce simple syrup
- 0.75 ounce lemon juice
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Crémant de Limoux or other sparkling wine (to top off)
- Lemon peel for garnish
Directions:
Add ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a large wine glass and top with crémant de Limoux or other sparkling wine. Garnish with lemon peel.
Note: Crémant refers to sparkling wines from France outside of Champagne. Crémant de Limoux is fairly light and fruity, but varieties from Alsace, Burgundy, etc., will work just as well.
Corso Italian’s Cider Spritz
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce Aperol
- 1 ounce apple cider
- 4 ounces prosecco
- 2 dashes cinnamon syrup
- Optional splash of club soda
- Orange slice for garnish
Directions:
Fill a hefty wine glass with ice. Add the Aperol, followed by the apple cider. Add 2 squirts of cinnamon syrup then top it off with the crisp prosecco for a celebratory fizz. Serve layered or gently stir to combine all the flavors and garnish with an orange slice.
Note: For a lower-alcohol drink, add a splash of soda water to replace the prosecco.
Cheesetique’s Apple & Cheddar ‘Tini
Ingredients:
- 1.5 ounces vodka
- 0.75 ounce apple schnapps
- 0.25 ounce triple sec
- Dash of orange bitters
- Splash of prosecco
Directions:
Fill a stemmed, conical martini glass with ice. Combine vodka, apple schnapps, triple sec, and a dash of orange bitters in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously. Strain the mix into the chilled glass and add a splash of prosecco for that sparkly holiday finish.
Note: We recommend you serve this drink with a piece of well-aged cheddar. The cheddar’s sharp, savory richness perfectly complements the fresh tartness of the apple ‘tini. Alexandria’s Cheesetique uses a 20-year old Widmer cheddar, available for purchase in their market, which is adjacent to the restaurant.
Feature image courtesy Cheesetique
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