One of the best opportunities to instantly welcome guests at any event is, of course, the welcome beverage. It may seem simple; but greeting guests upon arrival with some sort of signature cocktail can jumpstart a successful entertaining experience for everyone.
We all know that when selecting the welcome beverage, simplicity is the name of the game. The goal is to get something into guests’ hands as quickly as possible, leaving the bar areas less slammed. Now more than ever in this time of physical distancing, offering a beverage upon entry versus lining people in queues at the bar is of utmost importance.
Question: how often do you rely on the quick pour of a red or white wine, or sparkling brut? Efficient, though perhaps a bit unremarkable. Let’s take a look at how you can elevate a simple glass of bubbly to the level of cocktail with a few easy add-ons.
Classic Champagne Cocktail
The eye-catching bubble stream emanating from the dissolving sugar cube makes this offi cial classic an eternal favorite.
Yield: 1
Ingredients
1 sugar cube
3 to 5 dashes Angostura bitters
Champagne
Lemon or orange twist, for garnish
Method
- Soak the sugar cube in Angostura bitters and drop into a champagne fl ute.
- Top with a luxury champagne or a sparkling wine.
- Garnish with a lemon or orange twist.
Kir Royale
The dark but sweet berry fl avored crème de cassis can be pre-poured at the bottom of each vessel and then topped off quickly with bubbles right before serving.
Yield: 1
Ingredients
½ oz crème de cassis
Dry champagne or other sparkling wine, to top Lemon twist or blackberry garnish
Method
- Pour the crème de cassis into a champagne fl ute.
- Top with the champagne or sparkling wine.
- Garnish with a lemon twist.
Black Velvet
For the guest who generally prefers beer over wine, now you can offer the best of both worlds!
Yield: 1
Ingredients
Guinness beer
Champagne or sparkling wine
Method
- Half-fill a flute with Guinness.
- Gently top with champagne and serve.
Elderberry Fizz (Non-Alcoholic)
So much better than a Shirley Temple!
Yield: 2
Ingredients
¼ cup elderberry syrup(substitute 100 percent elderberry juice for a less-sweet option)
½ lime, cut into 4 slices
8 oz chilled sparkling water or sparkling fruit juice of your choice
Method
- Pour 2 tablespoons elderberry syrup or juice into each glass.
- Squeeze a slice of lime into each and fi ll with sparkling water or sparkling fruit juice.
- Garnish with remaining lime slices.
Apple Cider Mimosa
This is your fun, fall-forward cocktail, a little more labor intensive than the rest but ultimately delicious.
Yield: 1
Ingredients
4 oz brut champagne
2 oz all-natural apple cider
1 oz cinnamon whiskey
1 slice of apple, for garnish
Method
- Mix cider and cinnamon whiskey in a champagne fl ute.
- Top with champagne, then stir lightly until incorporated. Garnish with an apple slice.
