New Year's Eve and Champagne

It's New Year's Eve and at midnight people will be toasting the new year of 2010 with champagne. Now, if you're looking to do something with the champagne rather than just toast with a glass of the bubbly, you're in the right spot. Today, I have recipes that include champagne as one of the ingredients. For the designated driver or other non-drinkers (like those under 21), simply substitute sparkling grape juice.

Leading off on our menu this evening is the Bellini. As with most champagne drinks, you'll probably want to use a champagne flute. You'll first drop in 1 tbsp of pureed peach (or another fruit you like) into the bottom of the glass and then fill it with champagne.

Next on our list is the French Lift. Fill a champagne flute halfway with champagne. Pour in a dash of grenadine, and then fill it the rest of the way with sparkling water. Garnish it with 3-4 blueberries.

In the third spot in the order today is the Bird of Paradise. This time, you'll fill a wine glass 3/4 with ice and then fill that 3/4 with champagne. Fill the rest with pineapple juice leaving room for a dash of grenadine.

And in the cleanup spot in today's lineup is the Death in the Afternoon. Place a sugar cube in a champagne flute and drop 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters on it (the bitters are optional). Next, pour in 1 oz. of absinthe before filling the glass with champagne.

I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday and remember, please drink responsibly.

Drinks for Christmas

I know it's been a while since I posted, but I've had some things goin' on. Anyway, if you're having a holiday party and want some drink ideas appropriate to the season, you're in the right place.

First up today is a drink simply called the Holiday Cocktail. Take a mixing glass with ice and pour in 1/2 oz. of Cointreau, 1/2 oz. of vodka and 1 oz. of cranberry juice. Shake and strain that into a champagne flute and add 3 oz. of champagne. That sounds like it might taste good. If you try it, let me know if you like it.

Next on our menu is the Mistletoe Martini. Chill your martini glass ahead of time with some ice and a little water. That will actually help it chill faster. In your mixing glass, pour in 1 oz. each of the following: coconut rum (Malibu or Captain Morgan's Parrot Bay), melon liqueur (e.g. Midori), pineapple juice and sweet & sour mix. Dump the ice water out of the martini glass and strain the drink into it. Be ready for a kiss for that one.

Third on our list is the Candy Cane Martini. Chill your martini glass the same way you did for the last one. In a mixing glass with ice, pour in 2 oz. of vanilla vodka, 1 oz. of white chocolate liqueur (Godiva should work wonders) and 1 oz. of peppermint schnapps. Shake it and strain it into your chilled martini glass. Not quite done yet. You top it with 1 tsp of grenadine for the color and garnish with a mini candy cane.

And, finally, we have the Santa Shot. This is a layered shot, so ask a bartender to make this one for you. In your shot glass, it's equal parts (and in this order) grenadine, green creme de menthe and peppermint schnapps. Christmas colors in a glass.

That's it for now and remember to have a safe and happy holiday season and drink responsibly.

Non-alcholic Drinks

Every once in a while, someone will come into your bar that won't drink alcohol. They're either a designated driver or simply don't drink for any number of reasons.Today, I'll go through some drinks that you can serve those customers that may need to refrain from anything intoxicating.

First on the list is the Arnold Palmer. If I can't drink, I'll usually have one of these. Fill a mixing glass with ice and pour in equal parts of iced tea and lemonade. Shake it. You can garnish with a lemon if you'd like.

Next on the menu is an Egg Cream. In a tall glass, pour in 2-3 oz. of chocolate syrup. Fill the glass half way with milk, then the rest of the way with soda water. Stir it and you're done.

Let's continue with the Beach Blanket Bingo (the drink, not the movie from the 60's). Fill a tall glass with ice and pour in 3 oz. each of cranberry juice and grapefruit juice. Fill with soda water and garnish with a lime.

And finally the Virgin Mary. Fill a mixing glass with ice and put in the following: 1 tsp of horseradish, 3 dashes each of Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce, a dash of sweetened lime juice, 3 dashes each of celery salt and pepper and 1 oz. of clam juice (optional). Fill it with tomato juice and pour from one glass to another until it's all mixed up. Garnish with a lemon, stalk of celery or cocktail shrimp.

That's it for now. Please remember to drink responsibly.