The Spicy Fifty

About The Spicy Fifty

The Spicy Fifty is a modern and bold cocktail that adds a spicy twist to the classic French 75. This refreshing and effervescent drink combines gin, elderflower liqueur, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and a kick of jalapeño for a delightful mix of floral, citrusy, and spicy flavors. The Spicy Fifty offers a contemporary take on the timeless elegance of the French 75, making it a dynamic and flavorful cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz Gin

• 3/4 oz Elderflower Liqueur (such as St-Germain)

• 1/2 oz Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice

• 1/2 oz Simple Syrup

• 1-2 slices Jalapeño (adjust to spice preference)

• Sparkling Wine (to top up)

• Jalapeño slice or lemon twist

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       3.5 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Medium

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spicy

Method:

In a shaker, muddle 1-2 slices of jalapeño (adjust based on spice preference). Add gin, elderflower liqueur, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker. Fill the shaker with ice and shake the ingredients vigorously for about 10-15 seconds to infuse the spiciness. Strain the contents into a chilled flute or coupe glass. Top up with sparkling wine. Garnish with a jalapeño slice or a lemon twist.

The Death in the Afternoon

About The Death in the Afternoon

Also known as the Hemingway Champagne, the Death in the Afternoon is a powerful and decadent cocktail that crosses Champagne with Absinthe. Said to be invented in Left Bank, Paris by Hemingway himself along with a few sailors; this recipe first appeared in the 1930s in Hemingway’s books. The goal of the cocktail is to mix the spirits enough that the mixture becomes opalescent and milky.

"Pour one jigger absinthe into a Champagne glass. Add iced Champagne until it attains the proper opalescent milkiness. Drink three to five of these slowly." -Ernest Hemingway

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Absinthe

• Fill Champagne

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       3.5 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Pour 1 oz. Absinthe into a Champagne glass. Add chilled Champagne until it attains the proper opalescent milkiness.

The Christmas

About The Christmas

This recipe is a simple and festive libation that will help spread holiday cheer. A light and refreshing cocktail sweetened by the cranberry juice, the frozen berry will act as an ice cube of sorts and will help to keep your drink chilled.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz. Champagne/Sparkling Wine

• 1 oz. Cranberry Juice

• 1 Frozen Cranberry

• 1 Lime Wedge for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Add frozen cranberry to the fluted glass. Add cranberry juice and sparkling wine. Squeeze lime gently on top and garnish.

The Spritz Veneziano

About The Spritz Veneziano

Also known as the Aperol Spritz, also called just Spritz, is an Italian wine-based cocktail, commonly served as an aperitif in Northeast Italy. It consists of prosecco, Aperol and soda water. The original recipe has supposedly remained unchanged over time but it wasn't until the 1950s that Aperol Spritz became a popular alternative to the usual Venetian mix of white wine and soda.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz. Prosecco

• 2 oz. Aperol

• Splash of Soda Water

• Orange Wheel for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Build all ingredients into a wine glass filled with ice. Stir gently.

The Regatta

About The Regatta

The Regatta is classy cocktail with traces of other famous mixology masterpieces in it. Combining the Vodka & Galliano© is reminiscent of a Harvey Wallbanger and the triple sec is a feature in dozens upon dozens of other famous cocktails.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz. Champagne/Sparkling Wine

• 1 tsp Vodka

• ½ oz. Galliano©

• ½ oz. Triple Sec

• ½ oz. Lemon Juice

• 1 Lemon Slice for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spiced

Method:

Build ingredients in champagne glass and stir gently.

The Paparazzi

About The Paparazzi

This flashy champagne cocktail was designed to have a catchy name to bring attention to it just like the real thing. This cocktail came up on the mixology scene in the last decade. The fruit flavors and dark rum combine to make a tropical cocktail with a flashy build.

Ingredients:

• ¾ oz. Dark Rum

• 3 oz. Champagne/Sparkling Wine

• ¼ oz. Fresh Lime Juice

• 1 oz. Pineapple Juice

• 1 Lime Wedge for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

Build ingredients in white wine glass and stir gently.

The Tiffany

About The Tiffany

Why not instead of having a mimosa, have a Breakfast with a Tiffany. This cocktail is a spin on the famous mimosa and is a delicious breakfast cocktail option. Combining crisp sparkling wine/champagne with sweet lemonade and a sugar coated rim; this recipe is sure to be a new brunch favorite.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz. Champagne/Sparkling Wine

• ½ oz. Blue Curacao

• 1 oz. Lemonade

• Lemon Slice for Garnish

• Granulated Sugar for Rim

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

Rub rim of glass with lemon wedge and frost with sugar. Pour lemonade, blue curacao, and champagne and give a gentle stir.

The Ritz Fizz

About The Ritz Fizz

The Ritz Fizz is a sparkling wine/champagne based cocktail that is named after the Ritz Hotel in Paris, France. It is a classic-styled cocktail with a new era twist; meaning the action of muddling sugar and lemon juice prior to the addition of the spirits is typically a classical mixolology technique, however the addition of Amaretto and Blue Curacao is a more modern twist.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Amaretto

• ½ oz. Blue Curacao

• 1 tsp. Sugar

• 1 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice

• Top with Champagne/Sparkling Wine

• Orange Slice for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Fruity

Method:

Muddle lemon juice and sugar. Then add ice, Amaretto, and Blue Curacao. Shake well and strain into champagne glass. Top with Champagne and garnish.

The Champagne

About The Champagne

This 19th century recipe hails from the birthplace of ALL champagne; France. First listed in an 1862 guide to cocktails, the drink was later revitalized by Jerry Thomas who added a few variations to the earliest recipes. The quintessential “American” version is to omit the brandy/cognac addition. This cocktail can still be seen at New Year’s Eve events around the country.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz. Chilled Champagne

• ⅓ oz. Cognac or Brandy

• 2 Dashes of Angostura Bitters

• 1 Sugar Cube

• Orange Slice & Maraschino Cherry for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Medium

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spiced

Method:

Add dash of Angostura bitter onto sugar cube and drop it into champagne flute. Add cognac followed by gently pouring chilled champagne. Garnish with orange slice and maraschino cherry.

The Jade

About The Jade

The Jade is a fun celebratory cocktail combining the fruity flavor of Melon Liqueur and Curacao with a dash of lime juice and Champagne. The presentation of this cocktail is fantastic and lends to its namesake. Make sure to chill the mixture well, as well as use chilled sparkling wine/champagne for the top off.

Ingredients:

• ½ oz. Melon Liqueur

• ½ oz. Blue Curacao

• ½ oz. Lime Juice

• Dash of Angostura Bitters

• Top with Champagne/Sparkling Wine

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Fruity

Method:

Shake ingredients (without Champagne) with ice until very well chilled. Strain into fluted glass and top with champagne and garnish with lime.

The Barracuda

About The Barracuda

We searched for the origin of this cocktail but we came up empty on this one. Most bartenders agree the drink became popular during the 1970s and may have something to do with the vehicle also named Barracuda being popular at the same time period. Others point to a classical origin for the cocktail so we kinda just threw our hands up on this one. A deceptively strong cocktail utilizing Italian spirits along with Rum; the cocktail makes a great apertif.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Gold Rum

• ⅓ oz. Galliano Liqueur

• 2 oz. Pineapple Juice

• 1 Dash of Lime Juice

• Top with Prosecco/Sparkling Wine

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

Shake ingredients with ice. Strain into glass, top with sparkling wine and serve in a Margarita glass.

The French 75

About The French 75

The French 75 or just the 75 Cocktail if you’re from France, is an early 20th century cocktail created at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris, France. The recipe is simple but remains crisp and flavorful. The cocktail was named after a French 75 Field Artillery due to the cocktail having a strong kick of flavor; like the kick of the artillery. This cocktail has been featured in various John Wayne films and others, such as Casablanca.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Gin

• 2 oz. Champagne

• ½ oz. Lemon Juice

• 2 Dashes of Simple Syrup

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Combine gin, syrup, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled champagne glass. Top up with Champagne. Stir gently.

The Old Cuban

About The Old Cuban

The Mojito connects with the French 75 in this old school throwback cocktail. This recipe hails from New York in the SoHo neighborhood. This modern cocktail is appetizing and pairs well with any sort of food. This cocktail is designed to be made with passion and requires patience; it’s not meant for speed.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Aged Rum

• 2 oz. Champagne/Prosecco

• 1 oz. Simple Syrup

• ¾ oz. Lime Juice

• 2 Dashes Angostura Bitters

• 6-8 Mint Leaves

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Medium

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Minty

Method:

Pour all ingredients except the wine into cocktail shaker, shake well with ice, strain into chilled elegant cocktail glass. Top up with the sparkling wine and garnish with mint sprigs

The Russian Spring Punch

About The Russian Spring Punch

The Russian Spring Punch was created in London, England by Dick Bradsell in the 1980s. He claims not to remember which bar he was working at at the time, but tells the story of how he created the recipe for personal friends wishing to hold a cocktail party while minimizing the amount of money they had to spend on alcohol. Participants were provided with the vodka, cassis, simple syrup and lemon juice, and were asked to bring their own sparkling wine.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Vodka

• 1½ oz. Creme de Cassis

• ½ oz. Simple Syrup

• 1 oz. Lemon Juice

• Fill Sparkling Wine

• Garnish with Blackberries or Lemon Slice.

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Pour all ingredients into cocktail shaker except the sparkling wine, shake well with ice, strain into chilled tall tumbler glass filled with ice and top up with sparkling wine.

The Mimosa

About The Mimosa

The origins of the Mimosa are quite shrouded. It is known that variations of Mimosa cocktails have been enjoyed in the Mediterranean for centuries, specifically in Spain. There are some credits to the first “written” recipe for a Mimosa hailing from a Spanish Resort, however the claims are widely doubted. The epitome of first class and brunch cocktails anywhere, the Mimosa is a timeless classic and IBA Official Cocktail that is most likely here to stay.

Ingredients:

• 2½ oz. Champagne

• 2½ oz. Orange Juice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Orange

Method:

Ensure both ingredients are well chilled, then mix into the glass. Serve cold.

The Kir Royale

About The Kir Royale

The Kir Royale is an upgrade/variation to the IBA Cocktail the Kir. This version adds Champagne to the mix with creme de cassis making an “upscale” edition of the recipe. A Kir Imperial is made with the famous Chambord Liqueur as a further variation.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz. Champagne/Sparkling Wine

• ⅓ oz. Creme de Cassis

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Add the crème de cassis to the bottom of the glass, then top up champagne.

The Sgroppino

About The Sgroppino

This Italian cocktail that is bizarrely close to my own last name is a popular dessert cocktail that hails from the Venice region of Italy. A picturesque cocktail that is light and crisp, this recipe has grown past the borders of Italy and can be found throughout the world. Prosseco would be the ideal sparkling wine to use as it would be authentic to the region of Italy rather than using the French spirit of Champagne. (Although it’s up to you).

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Champagne/Prosecco

• 1 oz. Chilled Vodka

• Scoop of Lemon Sorbet

• Fresh Mint for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      Frozen

• Strength:   Light

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

Pour the champagne/prosecco and vodka into two champagne flutes, dividing equally. Spoon a scoop of sorbet into each flute. Sprinkle with mint and serve.

The Bellini

About The Bellini

Hailing from Venice, Italy; the Bellini is a simple, light, and elegant cocktail perfect for a quiet evening or a formal event. Founded by Giuseppe Cipriani, founder of Harry’s Bar in Venice, the Bellini became a worldwide sensation after a Frenchman started using white peaches for the purée. There are many multiple versions of this recipe, but we prefer to show you the original to its purest form. Give the Bellini a chance, it may even replace the modern love affair of the Mimosa. Both serve as perfect breakfast drinks, or as an after-dinner cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 2 parts Prosecco (or Champagne)

• 1 part Peach Purée

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       3.5 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:    Medium

• Difficulty:    Simple

• Flavor:        Sweet

Method:

Pour peach purée into chilled flute, add sparkling wine. Stir gently.

Empire Tip: Traditionally, the IBA Official version of this recipe calls for white peaches as the fruit of choice.