About this Recipe

By: Rachel

It is often said that New Year’s Eve is the only adult holiday of the year, although I hope that’s not true. Even grown-ups should be able to find joy and meaning in the holidays we celebrate. However, it is hard to deny that New Year’s—with its focus on staying up late, romance, dressy clothing, elegant parties, and adult beverages—is not exactly child-centric.

Whether you fully embrace these traditions or—like me—usually spend the evening in sweats and fall asleep by nine-thirty, bubbly beverages add a fun and festive note on which to welcome the new year. If you’re wondering how Champagne became the choice drink of New Year’s, Imbibe Magazine provides a wonderfully detailed history.

Read on for a few simple and delicious recipes to help you ring in the new year, as well as Violet Wine’s ultimate beverage selection to please every palate at your New Year’s Eve gathering. Head their way to grab a bottle or two for your celebration! If you prefer not to imbibe, substitute the sparkling wine with Studio Null’s non-alcoholic sparkling Verdejo or some classic sparkling cider.

Finally, a reminder that while most New Year’s resolutions center around changing negative habits, you can choose to make a fun resolution this year. Here are some suggestions:

Try 12 new pasta shapes—one for each month of the coming year.
Visit your local farmers’ market at least once a month, and try something you’ve never had before.
Drink more hot cocoa.
Order dessert, even if no one else does.
Find an absolutely delicious-looking recipe, and make it for yourself.

Cherry Fizz

Cherry Fizz

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Ingredients

1 maraschino cherry plus ¼ teaspoon juice
4 ounces (120mL) champagne, cava, or prosecco
Angostura bitters

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1
To a chilled champagne flute, add a maraschino cherry and ¼ teaspoon cherry juice.
Step 2
Pour in half the sparkling wine, and add a dash or two of Angostura bitters.
Step 3
Add the remaining sparkling wine, and serve.

Champagne French 75

Champagne French 75

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Ingredients

Ice
1 ounce (30mL) gin
½ ounce (15mL) lemon juice
½ ounce (15mL) St. Germain (elderflower liqueur)
Bit of curled lemon peel, for garnish
2 ½ ounces (75mL) Champagne, cava, or prosecco

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1

To a cocktail shaker, add ice, gin, lemon juice, and St. Germain.

Step 2

Shake for 20 seconds to chill, and pour into a chilled champagne flute or cocktail glass.

Step 3

Top with sparkling wine, and garnish with lemon peel.

Champagne Margarita

Champagne Margarita

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Ingredients

1 ounce (30mL) lime juice, plus lime wedge to wet the rim
Salt and/or Tajín
Ice
1 ounce (30mL) tequila
1 ounce (30mL) Cointreau, Grand Marnier, or other orange liqueur
2 ounces (60mL) Champagne, cava, or prosecco

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1

Run a lime wedge over the rim of a chilled serving glass, and dip in salt and/or Tajín.

Step 2

To a cocktail shaker, add ice, lime juice, tequila, and Grand Marnier. Shake for 20 seconds to chill, and pour into a chilled serving glass.

Step 3

Top with sparkling wine, and serve.
Optional: For a fun twist, muddle some fruit and/or herbs to flavor the cocktail. I like pineapple and jalapeño, passionfruit, or basil and strawberries.

Beverage Pairing

By: Olivia

It is not a New Year’s Eve party without sparkling wine! The Violet Wine staff have a few favorites that I’d love to highlight.

If you want to impress with non-traditional sparkling wines, consider French sparkling wines not from Champagne like Domaine J. Laurens Clos des Demoiselles, 49M Crémant de Loire Brut, and Domaine de La Racauderie Vouvray Brut. Each is made in the traditional method but with some nontraditional grapes. You could completely leave France with Pinot Dautel, a German sekt (sparkling wine) made of 100% Pinot Noir, or Bodkin Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc, America’s first sparkling Sauv Blanc.

Because Champagne is as celebratory as it gets, you should explore all that the region has to offer. We love Champagne Delot Prestige, made of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and Le Mesnil Blanc De Blancs Grand Cru Champagne, made of 100% Chardonnay.

Whatever you pop on New Year’s Eve—cheers!