Mimosas and bellinis are the (justly) most popular sparkling cocktails, enhanced mightily by using fresh-squeezed orange juice in the former and puréed peaches (fresh or frozen) in the latter. Variations abound; one of our favorites substitutes apple cider and rimming the glass/flute with a cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Here are other cocktails to try — all are simple and made for one person:
Black Velvet
• 4 parts sparkling wine
• 1 part Guinness or other Irish stout
Directions: Blend and stir.
Nelson's Blood
• 5 parts sparkling wine
• 1 part tawny Port
Directions: Blend and stir.
Poinsettia
• 4 parts sparkling wine
• 1 part triple sec or Cointreau
• Splash of cranberry juice
Directions: Blend and stir.
Strawberry Champagne Cocktail
• 1/2 c. fresh strawberries
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tsp. sugar
• Sparkling wine to taste
Directions: Wash and hull strawberries. Put all the strawberries, except one, in a blender. Add vanilla, lemon juice and sugar, and purée. Pour into a glass or flute halfway (more or less to taste). Top with sparkling wine, and stir gently. Slide the remaining strawberry onto the edge of the glass for garnish.
Classic Champagne Cocktail
• 1 sugar cube
• Angostura bitters
• Sparkling wine
• Lemon twist
Directions: Soak a sugar cube with a few drops of Angostura bitters. Drop the cube into a Champagne flute, and slowly top the glass with sparkling wine and a lemon twist.
Kir Royale
• 6 oz. sparkling wine
• 1/2 oz. crème de cassis
• Lemon twist
Directions: Pour the wine and crème de cassis into a flute or glass. Stir. Garnish with lemon twist.