The spirituous star of New Year’s Eve has traditionally been champagne. But this leads to a problem each year at The Aerie, because you see, The Beloved doesn’t like sparkling wines – generally too sweet and something about “the bubbles”.
But it seems sort of wrong NOT to have champagne on New Year’s Eve, or to drink it all myself, so I sought out a champagne-based cocktail that both The Beloved and I would like. What I decided on was: The Gentlemen
The Gentlemen
- Put about a teaspoon of brown sugar in a flute (a champagne flute, that is) and cover it with bitters.
- Add 1 oz cognac and 1/2 oz St. Germain
- Top with sparkling wine.
The Gentleman
The cognac and bitters added a nice balance to the sweetness of the champagne and the St. Germain added a nice floral touch. Given the fact that we each had several, I think The Gentlemen made a great impression on each member of the house and may get sparkling wine on the menu more often here in 2012.
Happy New Year!
Stevil 
Ooo, looks and sounds delicious!
(I’m still laughing about the mental visual of the brown sugar in a flute)
Lauri — it was very good and different than most straight-up champagnes. When I wrote “flute” it sounded funny to me too!
Watched CBS Sunday Morning and thought of you. Here are two links – one is the story, the other is the recipe for the drink.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3445_162-57350619/cocktails-enjoy-a-spirited-comeback/
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3445_162-57350265/bright-eye-the-sunday-morning-cocktail/?tag=contentMain;contentBody
LD — good links! I’m almost afraid that the cocktail “fad” will go over-the-top and no longer be fun. I guess it’s up to us to keep it “real”… :)
Hmmm that sounds very interesting! I’d definitely try that. I keep seeing your little coasters and laughing to myself because I bought some for my sister when I was in Texas a few years ago. They are all different and really pretty.
We love those little “mug mats” — they’re absorbent. Glasses don’t slide on them. They couldn’t scratch anything if they wanted to. We will occasionally get coasters for gifts, but we always go back to the mats.
So the Beloved did enjoy her Gentleman?
(That sounds naughty, but no naught intended.)
I am wondering because I’m also one of those who don’t care that much for champagne.The only champagne I’ve liked was the real deal, a glass of Veuve Clicquot Brut served by a friend who had a lot more money than me. Otherwise, the varieties produced in California, Italy and Spain are too sweet for me. I’d even hesitate to include the brown sugar in the cocktail.
To say that she enjoyed several Gentlemen probably sounds worse — or that I enjoyed more than she did… ;)
I would never mix truly great champagne, but I can’t afford truly great champagne. To keep the sweetness down, I always buy brut or extra brut sparkling wines.
Sounds lovely – glad it was a hit with your better half!
They went down awfully easy! :)
You lost me at bitters (bad experience in my youth). I love champagne, but also enjoy it mixed with orange juice and a splash of cranberry juice.
The Beloved likes savory/herbally drinks, so the bitters were right up her alley. I would like a champagne cocktail with citrus and cranberry.
I’m with Beloved on champagne- but like you, I don’t think I’ve ever had a truly good champagne. Maybe if I eventually win a round in the biotech lottery I can try one and see what I think!
Cloud — I’ve had a couple of glasses of very good champagne, and I can see why they’re special. I wouldn’t mix them with anything, though… :)
Hmm, this might just be what I need to celebrate the day my business cards arrive! Or maybe just to celebrate tomorrow, because why wait, right?
Janie — every once in a while I get on a “champagne, why not?” kick. There are good sealing caps that will keep a bottle fresh and bubbly for days in your refrigerator, so that you don’t have to drink the whole bottle in one evening. Makes for a great little run of champagne cocktails for a weekend. Or weekdays… :)
Happy New Year to my favorite Drabbler! I nominated you for The Versatile Blogger Award. Check out the post here–>http://wp.me/p1cZEZ-tW
I’ll give this a try but I’m a bubble-loving girl from way back. :-)
If at all I visit the US, I’ll be sure to invite myself over to your house. You won’t refuse a gate crasher one of these, would you?