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Want to kick your NYE toast up a notch?  Check out cool ways to spice up your glass of bubbly.

No doubt, you’ll need to wash down that midnight smooch with a sip of bubbly.  Truly, there’s no better way to ring in 2012.  So to give your New Year’s Eve a pop, we got the savvy scoop from our dear friend Anthony Georgoulis, the Area Manager and Beverage Director of the Valley’s Salty Senorita.

Consider bidding farewell to 2011 the perfect time to add some pizzazz to your NYE toast.  For some, mixing champagne with juice or liqueur is downright unthinkable, but to others, a bubbly concoction is just what the doctor ordered.  In fact, a unique combination is sure to give your NYE party guests a delectable surprise.

But before we get to mixology options, let’s discuss the history of the esteemed celebratory drink.  Turns out, this alcoholic toast dates back hundreds of years; in fact, by the 1800s, the classic bottle of bubbly started making regular appearances at hot dinner parties, especially among fashionistas.  Today, the drink is so popular, even bars and lounges are solely dedicated to serving champagne cocktails.

So in order to get creative, the first tip is to watch what you mix. According to Georgoulis, you really need to be subtle with flavors—rule of thumb: a little goes a long way.  In relation, he suggests using fresh ingredients like fruit, herbs, and even veggies.  Try blueberries, cucumber or fresh ginger.

In addition, you might want to try experimenting with liqueurs.  (Plus, this makes the drink look even more attractive.)  Georgoulis says a hint of St. Germaine’s Elderflower tends to do the trick. 

For detailed recipes, see below.  Note: a dry sparkling wine like a brut might be better because each of these cocktails will have sweetness added.

And to get served the tastiest of sippers, visit Salty Senorita: www.saltysenorita.com

The Elderflower Sparkle

1 glass Champagne

1 sugar cube

1oz St. Germaine’s Elderflower Liqueur

2-3 frozen or fresh blueberries

Enjoy!

The Poinsettia

Champagne (or Sparkling Wine)

1/2oz Cranberry Juice

1/2 Triple Sec

Lime squeeze

The New Year’s Resolution

Champagne (or Sparkling Wine)

1 oz Ginger simple syrup (boil fresh ginger in sugar water for about 5 minutes)

Toss in 2 raspberries

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