Need some easy cocktails for the upcoming holiday entertaining? Here are some great holiday cocktails that are simple to prepare, and feel extra glitzy because of the sparkling wine.
I chose to use an Ontario sparkling wine for these, a label operated under Pelee Island, a founding member of the Sustainable Winemaking Ontario. They are externally audited for their environmental and community impact. They are also committed to sourcing local materials.
Maybe the best part, it’s only $14.95.
Making Simple Syrups
Making simple syrups is the best way to have a couple of flavour options on hand for your guests. Get some fruit (fresh or frozen) and herbs (fresh works best) and simmer on medium heat for at least 15 minutes.
Then add your sugar and continue to simmer until it reaches your desired thickness. The thicker the syrup, the sweeter it will be.
My ratio for any drink syrup starts at Fruit:Water:Sugar 2:2:1
Blackberry Thyme Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Blackberries
- 1 Cup Water
- 10 sprigs Thyme fresh
- ½ Cup Sugar
Instructions
- Bring water and Blackberries to a boil for 15 minutes over medium heat
- Mash the blackberries and add the thyme and sugar, simmer for another 10 minutes on medium-low heat
- Allow to cool to room temperature and enjoy
Blackberry Mint Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Blackberries
- 1 Cup Water`
- 10 sprigs Mint Fresh
- ½ Cup Sugar
Instructions
- Bring water and Blackberries to a boil for 15 minutes over medium heat
- Mash the blackberries and add the mint and sugar, simmer for another 10 minutes on medium-low heat
- Allow to cool to room temperature and enjoy
Cranberry Tangarine Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Cranberries
- 1 Tangerine Juiced
- ¾ Cup Water
- ½ Cup Sugar
Instructions
- Bring the tangerine juice, cranberries, and water to a boil for 10 minutes
- Add the sugar and reduce to medium-low heat until it is to your desired thickness
- Allow to cool to room temperature and enjoy
Notes
Easy Champagne Cocktails
The easiest way to make a good bubbly feel more festive is to simply add a little sweetener and some aromatics. 1/2 an ounce of syrup to 4 ounces of prosecco or sparkling wine is a good place to start.
Sparkling Blackberry & Thyme
Ingredients
- 1 oz Blackberry Thyme Syrup
- 4 oz Sparkling White Wine
- 1 sprig Thyme fresh
Instructions
- Take a glass and rim it in green sprinkles
- Add your sprig of fresh thyme and your syrup
- Top with sparkling wine, and add chilled grapes or frozen blackberries to keep chilled
When experimenting with this sparkling wine, I found that there were so many different flavours you could bring out by just adding fresh herbs. For those who don’t like sweet drinks, try adding just a few fresh sprigs of rosemary or thyme to your glass.
Cranberry & Tangerine Mimosa
Ingredients
- 1 sprig Rosemary fresh
- 3 Cranberries frozen
- 1 oz Cranberry Tangerine Syrup
- 4 oz Sparkling Wine
Instructions
- Add your rosemary and cranberries to a glass with the syrup
- add the sparkling wine
What temperature do you serve sparkling wine at?
Bubbly is best-served ice cold. It helps it retain the bubbles and flavour. Consider looking for a beautiful wine chiller, or pop it in the freezer for 1 hour, and keep it in the fridge after opening.
Sparkling Mint Bramble
Ingredients
- 1 oz Blackberry Mint Syrup
- 1 oz Lime Juice
- 1 oz Vodka
- 2 oz Ginger Beer
- 3 oz Sparkling Wine
Instructions
- Stir the syrup, vodka, and lime juice together in a glass
- Fill your glass with ice, then add your ginger beer and sparkling wine
- Garnish with a fresh sprig of mint
Good Flavours to mix with Bubbly
Bubbly is not just a girly drink. Its lightness and dryness make it an interesting combination with harder spirits like bourbon and gin.
Bubbly Bourbon Smash
Ingredients
- 1 oz Bourbon
- 1 oz Cranberry Tangerine syrup
- 3 oz Sparkling Wine
Instructions
- Stir your bourbon and syrup together in a glass
- Top with ice and sparkling wine
- garnish with bourbon cherries and tangerine peel
