When we first started celebrating New Year’s Eve as adults, we drank champagne at midnight because that’s what everyone around us did. That was fun and all, but there was just one problem: it turns out we don’t really like most kinds of of champagne! Because we adore NYE celebrations so much, however, we’ve found ways around that without losing out on the tradition. Now we make ourselves all kinds of delicious cocktails that involve champagne but are filled with other delicious (and often holiday flavoured) ingredients as well.
Just in case you love the idea of making unique and creative champagne cocktails just as much as we do, if not more, here are 15 of the best flavour ideas and recipes we’ve considered for this year’s party!
1. Pink lemontini cocktail
If you’ve ever been a big fan of regular lemonade in the summer, especially the extra sweet pink kind, then we think we might have found the best idea for you right off the bat! Check out how Crazy for Crust made this pink lemontini champagne cocktail that has a little bit of fizz and tastes particularly great garnished with a lemon wedge and a maraschino cherry.
2. Berry basil champagne sprtizers
If you actually really love the idea of making a fizzy cocktail because you’re always loved sparkling drinks then we have a feeling this berry basil champagne spritzer recipe featured on Lemon Tree Dwelling might be right up your alley! They show you how to mix it perfectly to get that unique fizz that comes from a combination of tonic water and champagne bubbles. The flavour of basil and the sweetness of raspberries also create a unique taste experience.
3. Pama French champagne cocktail
If you’ve never tried the surprisingly sweet flavour and extra bubbly texted of French champagne then we’re sorry to tell you that you’ve been missing out! We’d absolutely suggest trying this delicious recipe from Heather’s French Press that’s full of flavour without tasting too much like fruit, just in case that’s not your thing.
4. New Year’s Eve countdown champagne cocktail
Maybe you’re a little more concerned with the presentation of your champagne cocktails and making them into some kind of fun party novelty that your guests can enjoy together, rather than just making them taste like something besides champagne? In that case, we’d absolutely suggest taking a look at how Noble Pig made these fantastic countdown cocktails! Besides their great taste, they feature a cocktail stick of berries, one for each hour from the party’s start until midnight. Eat one every hour until they’re gone!
5. Sparkling pomegranate cocktail
Have you been feeling a little bit intrigued by all these berry based cocktail idea’s we’ve shown you so far but none of them have quite caught your attention well enough to hold it yet? In that case, we’d like to present this pomegranate alternative for your consideration! Recipe Girl shows you how to make a perfectly balanced mixture of flavours, as well as how to garnish the drink with juicy pomegranate seeds.
6. Champagne punch bellini
Are you actually the kind of cocktail lover who prefers the precise kind of “girly”, fruity drink that people always laugh about? Well, we think those are delicious too, so we can’t say we blame you. That’s why we’ve made these yummy champagne punch bellinis from Crazy for Crust so many times!
7. Black raspberry champagne bellini
Maybe you are interested in the berry based ideas we’ve been talking about but you also can’t help wondering whether there are any with a deeper, more rich tasting flavour rather than just ones that taste sweet? In that case, we think you’ll get along very well indeed with this fragrant black raspberry champagne bellini outlined step by step on Life, Love, and Sugar.
8. Amaretto orange bellini
Have you really found your interest feeling piqued by the idea of making flavourful bellini style drinks for your New Year’s party but you’re just not sure the berries are doing it for you? In that case, we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how Wine & Glue made it happen with citrus flavours instead! Take a look at their tutorial to learn how they made these Amaretto orange bellinis.
9. Champagne margaritas
Now, on just about any other day, we’d almost always choose a margarita over nearly anything else. Usually, however, we feel inclined to have something that feels more celebratory on New Year’s Eve, particularly if it involves champagne. Imagine how pleased we were, then, when we discovered these champagne margaritas outlined step by step on The Kitchen is My Playground!
10. Tropical champagne cocktails
Has all this talk about citrus and berries really got you craving fruit based cocktails but you just haven’t see anything yet that really involve the kind of delicious, flavourful fruits you love most? Then we just know that this mouthwatering and rather fragrant tropical champagne cocktail outlined in full detail on Shugary Sweets is going to be right up your alley!
11. Bubbly strawberry mojitos
Okay, we’ll admit it. These delicious berry mojitos are actually secretly made with lovely pink rosé wine and not champagne. They’re just so good (and so delightfully) sparkly that we couldn’t resist including them on the list anyways! If you’re a strawberry lover who prefers wine to champagne too, take a look at Garnish With Lemon to see how they’re made in more detail.
12. Bubbly champagne punch
maybe you’d rather make a large batch of something sparkling and delicious that your guests can serve themselves from as they please, rather than mixing individual cocktails all night or making people make their own drinks? We’d suggest taking a look at how Foodie Crush made this delicious bubbly champagne punch that’s full of fruit flavour and portioned perfectly to make enough for everyone.
13. Fizzy ginger cocktail with pickled watermelon rind
Are you actually throwing a party that’s slightly more upscale this New Year’s Eve, so you’re looking for a slightly more unconventional drink, closer to what someone might find on a gourmet restaurant’s holiday menu? Then perhaps you’d get along a little better with something like this fizzy ginger cocktail garnished with a pickled watermelon rind! Serious Eats shows you how they’re made step by step.
14. Pink platinum champagne cocktail
If you’re going to make a fun cocktail for the best party of the year, would you prefer to make it one that’s as bright and exciting looking as possible? Then we think you’re going to appreciate this recipe and flavour combination from Creative Culinary very much indeed! Besides the colour, this pink platinum champagne cocktail is also made with things that are classically used in all kinds of recipes around the holiday, making it the perfect seasonal choice too.
15. Gold shimmery champagne cocktail
Are you still thinking about what we said about making drinks that are also novelty but you’re not sure the countdown cocktail concept is quite the choice for you? In that case, we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how The Flavour Bender made these drinks that are not only delicious but that also- yes, you’re seeing that right- shimmer in the light! Take a look at their tutorial to learn how the shiny effect (that really is safe to drink) is made.
