Celebrate New Years Eve in style with this sophisticated Juniper Berry and Champagne Cocktail. Get the recipe before the clock strikes 12.
Festive cocktails
For many people Christmas and New Years eve is a time to indulge in wine, beer and cocktails.
I enjoy a glass (or bottle) of Champagne as much as anyone, but my heart lies with gin. I'm a proud member of the London Gin Club in Soho and love any excuse to add gin to a recipe. For that reason when the clock strikes 12 on New Years Eve you'll find me with a gin based cocktail in hand.
But, for a real celebration you have to have bubbles so this recipe combines the two, not by adding gin to champagne but flavouring it with a clever garnish.
Cocktail garnishes
Instead of adding neat gin to make the Champagne cocktail, I wanted to strip out the more complicated botanicals you can find in gin and use the pure essence of the juniper berry. By crushing the berries with a little sugar and straining the Champagne over them, the cocktail retains the characteristic floral note of gin without losing the fact that this is first and foremost a Champagne cocktail.
If you too love gin and Champagne as much as I do, I'm sure you'll agree this is a match made in heaven.
Choosing your bubbles
I've tried this recipe with Cava, Prosecco and Champagne and you can substitute either depending on what you have in the fridge. The key is bubbles and the addition of some light brown sugar will take the edge off of even the most dry wine.
Wherever you are celebrating, with bubbles or without, I hope you have a fantastic time celebrating the New Year! I'll raise a toast to all of my lovely readers at midnight.
The recipe
Juniper Berry and Champagne Cocktail
Equipment
- Martini glasses
Ingredients
- 750 millilitres Champagne or other sparkling white wine
- 1 handful juniper berries
- 2 tablespoon light brown sugar
Instructions
- In the bottom of a cocktail shaker, crush the juniper berries with the light brown sugar.
- Top with the Champagne then strain into large martini glasses.
- It's as simple as that!
- For an added professional touch, dust the rims of the glasses with light brown sugar first.
Nutrition
What alcohol is vegan?
If you're serving this cocktail to people following a plant based diet, check out my guide to vegan alcohol to make sure you know what to look for when choosing your wine.
More cocktail recipes
The drinks recipe collection
For the full range of cocktails and drinks recipes check out my drinks recipe collection.
As always Supper in the Suburbs encourages you to drink responsibly.
Joy says
Beware of Gin Lane !
http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/may/16/london-parish-glamour-grime-rookery-exhibition
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
Simple but packs a punch. I will be sharing via social media.
efwalt says
Thanks Bintu! I'm glad you like it!
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
I could not find your twitter profile to tag you in the share but it is queued up to be tweeted. Do you have a twitter id?
efwalt says
Hi! Yes I do its @KitchenGoddess3 🙂 thanks!!!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
I'm so excited, I have everything for this cocktails, including a bottle of juniper berries ~ cheers!
Emma Walton says
Its clearly fate Sue! Enjoy!
Ben Myhre says
Fun use of juniper berries! I have a whole jar from making gin and I should probably try this recipe!
Emma Walton says
Its clearly meant to be Ben! Give it a go and let me know what you think 🙂
serena says
I'm a gin gal myself. Love the sound of this combo. Going to have to give it a try. Happy New Year!
Beth says
That sounds amazing! I love the addition of the flavors of the gin without actually adding gin! Genius really!
Traci says
Omgosh, would never have thought to put these together, but YUMMM! I already have the bubbles, now I just need the berries. Thanks for sharing!
Pink palace says
Can I use fresh berries from my juniper tree?
Emma says
I haven't tried it but I can't see why not 🙂