Champagne Cocktail Time!

French 75

I’m hosting a bridal shower pretty soon so the menu planning begins… with cocktails! We’re doing brunch, which of course calls for champagne, but I refuse to serve mimosas when there are so many more exciting options. Below are my favorite finds so far, please comment and add to the list!

French 75
gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, champagne (garnish with a lemon peel)
This is my favorite cocktail of the moment. It’s admittedly strong for brunch, probably more appropriate to sip over oysters later in the day, but we’re celebrating! 

Missy Bell
St. Germaine, grapefruit bitters, champagne (garnish with a grapefruit peel)
This one is named after a friend who invented it at The Shady Lady in Sacramento. It’s highly addictive.

Kir Royale
Crème de Cassis, champagne (garnish with a citrus peel)

Lavender Sparkler
lavender simple syrup, champagne (garnish with a lavender sprig)

Ginger Sparkler
ginger simple syrup, champagne (garnish with a lemon peel)

Cranberry Sparkler
cranberry, Cointreau, champagne (garnish with an orange peel)

Pear Sparkler
pear brandy, champagne (garnish with a thin pear slice)

Rosemary Lemon Sparkler
rosemary simple syrup, lemon juice, champagne (garnish with a rosemary sprig)

Classic Champagne Cocktail
sugar cube soaked in bitters, champagne (garnish with a lemon peel)

When I throw parties I love to offer a fully stocked bar complete with handwritten cocktail menu cards to inspire guests to be creative with their beverage selection. Flavored simple syrups are the most inexpensive way to create an impressive bar, especially when you put them in antique thrift store bottles with handwritten labels. They're incredibly easy to make too! It’s just equal parts sugar dissolved in boiling water and left to cool, with any flavoring you like. If you have a lot left over it’s great with iced tea and sparkling water, or if you’re a baker it works miracles on layer cakes! In bakeries it’s standard procedure to brush the cakes with simple syrup to keep them moist. It’s the best kept secret that you won’t find in recipes and when you use the flavored syrups your cakes will taste even better!