New Year’s: Making the Best of “Bad” Champagne

If you’re like me, you’d prefer to be drinking $50+ Champagne for New Year’s Eve, but your budget just won’t allow it. Don’t fret. There are several ways to make that $15-$20 sparkling wines taste almost as good. (Please note that the least expensive sparkling wines–the under $10 varieties–are generally beyond redemption. Avoid them.)

1. Make Mimosas. The quintessential brunch cocktail also makes a stylish New Year’s Eve cocktails. Just combine about 2/3 of a glass of sparkling wine with 1/3 orange juice. Float a couple of raspberries on top for an extra festive touch.

2. Add a splash of Chambord. Chambord, the French raspberry liquor in the orb-shaped bottle, adds an elegant touch to sparkling wine–plus it looks festive. Pour a very little (maybe 1/2 Tbsp.) in the bottom of a flute and fill with sparkling wine. You can also use creme de cassis (a French currant-flavored liquor).

3. Make Punch. Punch made with sparkling wine is a perfect way to stretch your sparkling wine. Basically, you combine the wine with ginger ale or club soda, some fruit or juice, and a little lemon juice. Here are a few recipes from around the Web.

• Champagne Punch from Cooks.com
• Champagne Punch from the About.com Guide to Cocktails
• Champagne Punch from the Food Network.