Cheers to the holiday season! A champagne cocktail is an easy way to turn an average dinner party into a festive get-together—and, surprisingly, doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Trisha Antonsen, the Chief Cocktail Officer of on-demand alcohol delivery company Drizly, swears by bubbly, crisp Cava (Poema Brut Cava, $11; wine.com), a fresh, affordable sparkling wine (Mumm Napa Brut Prestige, $19; wine.com), or a delicious, mid-range champagne (Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Reserve, $37; wine.com).
Besides being a cocktail whiz, Antonsen also gives some stellar hosting advice: “Only buy stuff that you’ll drink yourself, so you don’t get stuck with half-drunken bottles,” she warns, “And use real glasses! Have one to two per person, and don’t be afraid to mix-and-match the glassware you already own.” Antonsen also suggests cutting down on prep time by mixing the non-bubbly ingredients together the night before the party. (If serving a crowd, multiply the ingredient amounts by three times the number of guests to ensure that everyone gets at least two drinks. Have a pitcher of the mixer and a bottle of champagne on hand to keep the serving process simple and the cocktails fresh.)
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Below, three of Antonsen’s favorite champagne cocktails.
