“Come quickly, I am tasting the stars!”
- Dom Perignon, upon discovering champagne

You know what would be the perfect addition to your holiday party this year? Bubbles, courtesy of champagne or sparkling wine.

Sure, guests might expect the cliché eggnog cocktail or the cute candy cane-like concoction, but why not add a sophisticated kick with these luxurious classics instead?

To be an astute host, be aware of the difference between champagnes and sparkling wines. All champagnes are sparkling wines –carbonated wine with a large amount of dissolved carbon dioxide – but only sparkling wines from the Champagne region of France are technically champagnes. After a glass or two, it’ll make more sense.

For now, however, just know that we Columbusites are fortunate to live in one of the top three states – besides New York and California – that produces sparkling wines in this country. The Catawba area is a prolific producer of this type of grape – which is described as rich and fruity. Although domestic sparkling wines differ somewhat in flavor and quality from true champagnes, interchanging these ingredients in most recipes isn’t a major faux pas. So try these effervescent treats and toast to a happy holiday and, of course, New Year.

Christmas Champagne Cocktail
3 parts chilled brut champagne or sparkling wine
1 part Cointreau
1 part Absolut mandarin vodka
1 sugar lump
Mix all ingredients and serve in champagne flute.

The Poinsettia
2 parts chilled champagne or sparkling wine
1 part chilled cranberry juice
Combine and serve in a champagne flute.

The Mistletoe
2 parts chilled champagne or sparkling wine
1 part chilled pomegranate juice
Combine and serve in a champagne flute. Garnish with a few pomegranate seeds.

Champagne Punch
1 bottle champagne
1/3 cup brandy
1 quart ginger ale
Make sure all ingredients are cold. Add brandy to punch bowl first, followed by ginger ale and champagne. Do not prepare until just before serving.

The Bellini
1 bottle champagne or sparkling wine
1 quart bottled peach nectar (or other fruit juice)
Stir until blended, combine in a pitcher and serve.

French 75
Ice
1½ ounces gin
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon sugar
6 ounces champagne or sparkling wine
Fill glass with ice. Pour gin, lemon juice, sugar and stir. Top off with champagne or sparkling wine.

Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail
1 part chilled pomegranate juice
3 parts chilled champagne or sparkling wine
Dash of Campari
Combine ingredients and serve in a martini glass.

Also, throughout November and December, enjoy a Hat Trick for your Blue Jackets party, with Prosecco taking the spotlight. Prosecco, described as dry, lemony and bubbly, is Italy’s version of sparkling wine.

The Hat Trick
Ice
1½ ounces amontillado sherry
1 ounce Aperol (bitter orange Italian aperitif)
2 dashes of orange bitters, plus 1 dash for garnish
1½ ounces chilled Prosecco
1 lemon twist for garnish
Fill cocktail shaker with ice. Add sherry, Aperol and 2 dashes of bitters and shake well. Strain into a chilled flute. Top with Prosecco and garnish with a dash of bitters and lemon twist.