There’s something about Champagne that just feels right on New Year’s Eve. The gold-foil bottles. The satisfying pop of the cork. The gush of bubbles spilling into a flute (or plastic cup). This year, take your Champagne game to the next level by mixing it into some balanced, boozy cocktails.
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Cromwell Fizz
Bound at Cromwell, 702-777-3777
This Salvatore Calabrese original is tasty even without the sparkling topper, but add a float of Champagne and it goes from restrained classic to celebratory sipper.
Ingredients:
1 oz. Macallan Fine Oak 10-year-old Whiskey
2/3 oz. lemon juice
1 oz. honey syrup (equal parts honey and warm water)
1/4 oz. egg whites
orange bitters
Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut
Method:
Combine the first four ingredients and a few dashes of bitters in a mixer with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a Champagne coupe glass and top with Champagne and a few dashes of bitters.
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Midnight Rose
Laguna Champagne Bar at Palazzo, 702-607–7777
Parked in the middle of the Palazzo’s casino floor, Laguna does Champagne—by the glass, bottle or cocktail. This simple drink packs plenty of bubbles and a barely sweet cherry kick.
Ingredients:
1 oz. Grey Goose Cherry Noir
1/2 oz. St-Germain
1/2 oz. lemon juice
Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut
Luxardo maraschino cherry (for garnish)
Method:
Combine first three ingredients in a mixer with ice and roll to mix. Strain into a flute, top with Champagne and garnish with cherry.
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Fizz Fraise
Fizz at Caesars Palace, 702-776-3200
This lounge from Sir Elton John and David Furnish is all about the bubbles, and this cocktail is all about a classic combo: strawberries and Champagne.
New Year's Eve 2014
Ingredients:
1 oz. Ford’s Gin
1/2 oz. Fragoli Wild Strawberry Liqueur
1/2 oz. strawberry purée
1/2 oz. rock candy syrup
1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
1/4 oz. egg whites
Domaine Chandon Brut
strawberry (for garnish)
Method:
Combine first six ingredients in a mixer with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a coupe glass, top with brut and garnish with strawberry.