Classy Champagne Cocktails

By Ken Rubin

For crying out loud, it's the last day of 2006 and you should celebrate something. It was a year to remember; a lot happened in the United States and in all corners of the earth. Be grateful for all that you have and celebrate with these uniquely delicious cocktails. There are plenty of classic champagne cocktails out there, but check out these variations on the theme. Serve them proudly and responsibly.

Keep the bubbly cold until ready for service. Figure approximately 6 cocktails or so per bottle or so for the recipes below. Choose an affordable and crisp sparkling wine or champagne and serve these signature champagne cocktails to your guests. These cocktails can be made equally well with a light, crisp Spanish cava or with a more complex or medium bodied sparkler from Oregon.

Just remember that you shouldn't make these with vintage champagne or anything that you would ordinarily value for its unique characteristics or quality. When you add liquor, juice and other strong flavors, the nuance an intricate character of most wines will be muted or lost altogether.