Leftover Champagne from New Year's Eve?

For those who stocked up on Champagne for New Year's Eve and have a couple of bottles left over, you needn't stash them until the next celebration.

It's January. Holiday bills are rolling in, it's freezing outside, and many of us are doing our best to stave off seasonal affective disorder. Why not pop open a bottle to celebrate the little things? The end of a stressful work week, your baby taking its first steps, a new season of The Crown to catch up on.

And whether you stocked up on Champagne, prosecco or cava - there are myriad ways to dress it up, adding a little pop to the flavor profile. One of my favorite things about bubbly are the endless ways you can dress it up. Already elegant, a simple garnish can make it glamorous - even if you are home in flannel pajamas. 

Below are five ways to dress up your Champagne for a little joy in January.

Rock candy

Much to my surprise, rock candy only involves two ingredients: water and sugar. Since it's so simple to make, (recipe here), you don't need much to take things up a notch by adding a flavor extract and food coloring - items you already have at home. A rock crystal-covered toothpick across the rim of a Champagne glass feels not just festive, but brings on a childlike wonderment. 

Crushed peppermint rim

Each sip will deliver a burst of freshness, and a rim of crushed peppermint candies is a great way to repurpose candy canes, before they inevitably become soft and chewy - so get some use out of those leftover candy canes! 

 

Sorbet

Use a melon baller to add a mini scoop of sorbet into a flute of champagne. It adds a creamy, fruity dimension to the cocktail. 

Skewer of frozen berries

Not only would a skewer of frozen berries keep your drink chilled, but imagine the color contrast. Lining a skewer with blueberries, raspberries, and cranberries will look like a strand of jewels in your drink.

Cotton candy

First, add a little puff of cotton candy to the bottom of your flute. Once Champagne is poured over, it dissolves into sugar, making the flute a rosy color with a hint of cotton candy. Then, top the flute with a puff of cotton candy right before serving. It's visually appealing, adds texture, and contributes that much more flavor to your Champagne. 

Here's to a wonderful 2023!