by Lisa Doherty

Created on: July 21, 2008   Last Updated: July 19, 2010

The next time you are having friends over for a Sunday brunch, instead of pulling out the tried and true Mimosa recipe, why not serve something with a little more pizazz? Champagne and wine cocktails make for a fun and/or fizzy additional to any festivity and give those who do not want a heavy drink something to sip while munching a well done canape.

Champagne has been around since the 1700's when Dom Perignon messed up the wine he was making and then realized that his mistake was instead a timeless creation that was sure to please. Since that time, generations have been celebrating by popping the cork on a bottle of bubbly. In the 19th century, well bred ladies and gentlemen took champagne cocktails at late suppers and the champagne cocktail has long been the favorite drink of the genteel set. Nowadays, we can all sit back and enjoy the fizzy goodness whether we are genteel or just pretending to be.

Champagne and wine cocktails are great to serve at parties because of their ease. You can make ten of them just as easily as you can make two, and no blender is used. The other nice thing is that while you wouldn't want to skimp and buy the cheapest bottle, because then you'll end up with a bitter mess, you don't have to break out the bottle of Champagne you've been saving for your daughter's wedding, either.

So what is the difference between a wine cocktail and a champagne cocktail? As champagne is just wine of the sparkling variety there really isn't much of a difference. The bubbles might be one difference and the quality of the wine might be another. While champagne cocktails are served straight up, and usually in a fluted glass for extra elegance, wine cocktails can be served straight up, in a glass, or on the rocks. Wine cocktails are a bit more flexible and can be mixed with spirits, depending on the flavor of the wine. In either case, it is best not to use your best bottle of wine for wine cocktails, as the subtle flavors that you would otherwise savor will be lost in the mixture.

There are many great resources that will give you recipes for both wine cocktails and champagne cocktails, but my favorite one has champagne cocktails listed by color. If you are a coordinating fanatic, like me, it is always nice to serve drinks that compliment your decor or party theme!

Here are a few websites that will help you mix just the right cocktail for your next soiree. Bottoms up!

1. http://wineintro.com/champagne/cocktails/
2. http://cocktails.about.com/od/cocktailrecipes/a/chmp gn_cktl.htm
3. http://www.drinksmixer.com/cat/9

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