Licensed to Thrill: Champagne Cocktail

There are many ways to bring in the New Year - banging pots from the porch, setting off fireworks, snuggling in bed (see the afore-mentioned fireworks), throwing or attending a party, watching the countdown as the giant silver ball drops in Times Square, or gluing your eyeballs to a marathon of James Bond movies running the gamut from Connery to Craig and everyone in-between. Um … maybe not everyone.

I tend to enjoy a more sedate celebration, usually with a Champagne Cocktail in hand. If you’ve never had one, here’s a quickie (I’m fixated on fireworks, again). For those of you who want to whoop it up with a crowd, you’ll find a recipe for a traditional Champagne Punch and another for a Non-Alcoholic Spiced Apple Punch below this post. However you celebrate - even if you’re sawing logs or reading a book by the fire - have a safe, happy, and contented New Year’s Eve! 

xox  Moneypenny

Champagne Cocktail:

1 champagne flute, chilled
1 sugar cube
5 or 6 drops aromatic bitters, or to taste
Enough Courvoisier to cover sugar cube
Champagne (or any sparkling wine), chilled

Drop sugar cube into bottom of chilled glass. Place a drop or two of bitters on each side of cube. Saturate with Courvoisier. Tilt glass and very slowly pour in champagne or sparkling wine such as Prosecco or Henkell Trocken.