Learn how to make a simple and sophisticated champagne cocktail for New Year’s eve or any special occasion.
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A champagne cocktail is the perfect party drink. Whether it’s New Year’s Eve or a bridal shower, a light and bubbly cocktail, with a hint of fruit, will please most of your guests.
This particular cocktail mixes champagne, gin, 2 types of fruit juice and some seasonal garnishes. Selecting quality ingredients will pull the cocktail together beautifully. Take a look at how to select the right champagne and gin for this drink.
Try this Gin Spritz, a similar cocktail combining gin and prosecco for a refreshing drink.
How to choose a sparkling wine or champagne
This drink is shaken together and poured into a cocktail glass, then topped with champagne or sparkling wine. If you head to the store to pick up a bottle, you will most likely be overwhelmed with choice. Here are a few things to keep in mind while browsing the liquor store aisles.
- Champagne is a specific type of sparkling wine made in France. It’s typically more expensive than other sparkling wine and comes in a variety of tastes ranging from dry to sweet.
- Sparkling wine is any wine made with carbonation. Champagne is sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine is champagne. When you choose one of these you open up almost endless possibilities.
All champagne is sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine is champage.
For this juniper royal cocktail, choose champagne or sparkling wine, but go with a variety that is not too sweet. Opting for a brut, a variety low in sugar, will blend nicely with the fruit juices in this cocktail
Choosing the right gin
Gin is a classic liquor if there ever was one, dating back hundreds of years this blend has been consumed all over the world. Gin, as we know it today, originated in Holland and later England. Gin is the base for so many cocktails, particularly the martini.
Gin gained popularity in the US about a century ago with the popularization of the martini. Then home brewers began making their own bathtub gin during prohibition. It’s clear easy base is ideal for many drinks and just about anyone can find something they like made with gin.
What sets gin apart from vodka and other clear liquors is the addition of botanicals, juniper, during the distillation process. That flavor gives gin it’s unique taste.
For this cocktail I chose a London dry gin, the easiest to come by at most stores. It has a smooth dry taste and works well is so many drinks. Bombay Sapphire is my favorite, but you can also try Tanqueray. Start with a few small bottles of different varieties and figure out what suits your pallet first.
Garnishes and glasses for a champagne cocktail
When serving a drink like this one, opt for a cocktail glass or flute. The stem adds a bit of elegance.
The Juniper Royale combines cranberry, orange and champagne to create the perfect blend of sweet, tart and bubbly. Garnish this drink with fresh cranberries, an orange twist or even a sprig of juniper.
You will also need a cocktail shaker to make this. If you like making drinks at home then invest in a good shaker. They don’t have to be expensive, but one that won’t leak and is easy to use and clean will serve you well.
Juniper Royale Champagne Cocktail
A bubbly champagne cocktail perfect for New Year's Eve.
Ingredients
- 1 oz gin
- 1/2 oz orange juice
- 1/2 oz cranberry juice
- dash of grenadine
- 4 oz brut champagne
- fresh cranberries for garnish
Instructions
In a shaker filled with ice, combine gin, orange juice, cranberry juice and a dash of grenadine. Shake well and stain into a cocktail glass. 
Top with champagne and garnish with fresh cranberries.
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This bubbly drink will be perfect for your New Year’s Eve party, or make a single cocktail for yourself.
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