New Year's Eve Ideas

NY Times

 I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Now I am looking forward to New Year's Eve. This week I'll share some ideas for attire, decorating, and entertaining.

One of my favorite cocktails is the classic Champagne Cocktail. It is delicious, so easy to make, and perfect for New Year's Eve however you will be celebrating. You don't even need to stay up until midnight  -  serve it as an aperitif before dinner. I had Champagne Cocktails at my Christmas party and they were a huge hit.

Drop a sugar cube in a Champagne flute. Drizzle the cube with 3 to 5 drops of Angostura bitters. Fill the flute with Champagne or your favorite sparkling wine. Garnish with a lemon curl. You should have bitters on your bar anyway - it is an essential ingredient in so many cocktails like a Manhattan or Old Fashioned.

BTW, I prefer a Champagne flute to a coupe.

The smaller surface area slows down the loss of CO2. Your bubbles last longer, and your Champagne stays cooler. I love the way the bubbles form vertical streams in the flute, like little ladders. Pros: Your glass will be empty before your bubbles disappear.

I do love coupe glasses for their historical significance dating back to 18th century France and retro look. They are quite beautiful - just be aware the bubbles will not last as long.

Champagne Flute and Coupe