Noir mixologist Andrew Pollard was given carte blanche by the Weekly to come up with the dreamiest cocktail possible for your big holiday soiree. Just a few weeks ago we honored the classic cocktail, the French 75 with Sidebar's own tribute, La Bohemia. Taking the French 75 a step further, Pollard's French '09 hits all the marks: cognac for a kick; St-Germain for a sweet, floral elegance; dryness and a nod to the New Year holiday from the champagne; the duo of sweet strawberry and musty-mint sage; and finally, the acid of the lemon. Here's wishing you a toasty, bubbly New Year!

Ingredients:

1 oz. Moet & Chandon White Star Champagne

1 oz. Hine Rare & Delicate V.S.O.P Cognac

.5 oz. St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur

.5 oz. Rock Candy Syrup

Juice of half a lemon

2 small or one jumbo strawberry

2 sage leaves

Garnish:

Baby white grapes

Sage leaf

Method:

In a mixing glass tear sage leaves to express the flavors. Add the strawberry. Extract the juice of the lemon half into the glass, add the simple syrup and muddle. Add the cognac and St-Germain. Shake and strain into a chilled, old fashioned champagne saucer (coupe). Top with champagne and lay grapes on rim with a sage leaf pinned through the grapes.