4 Bubbly Ball-Drop Recipes to Combat the Champagne Shortage

By Alana Tielmann

We know all about the global shipping crisis, but did you also know that the wine industry has been facing an unprecedented Champagne shortage due to recent regional climate conditions?

Between wicked winter frost and spring rains, as much as 60 percent of the region’s harvest was reduced, according to Comité Champagne. You see, the appellation’s official trade association sets an annual limit on how much Champagne can be produced per acre—to promise multi-vintage cuvées (and manage prices) in the future.

International supply chain issues (caused by Coronavirus) certainly fuel the shortage too, resulting in high-cost and harder to find bubblies this holiday season. That said, don’t be alarmed as Champagne’s biggest night—New Years Eve—quickly approaches. If securing bottles of bubbly becomes a (supply chain) challenge, you might want to consider other sparkling wines to ring in 2022.

With a (gin or cognac-crafted) French 75 in mind we’re sharing four fizzy cocktail recipes, featuring Brut substitutes like Italy’s Prosecco and Germany’s Sekt, to savor and celebrate at home this December 31st.

Floral Fizz

Floral Fizz

Floral Fizz

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 oz. London Dry Gin, like Bulldog or Bluecoat
  • 3/4 oz. fresh lime juice
  • 3/4 oz. lavender syrup
  • 2 dashes Maraschino liqueur
  • drop of Floral Liqueur, such as Creme de Violette
  • Asolo Prosecco Brut DOCG

Preparation: Combine all ingredients into a shaker; add ice cubes and shake. Fine strain into a chilled coupe glass and top off with Prosecco Brut.


Midnight Magic

Midnight Magic

Midnight Magic

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. Noble-Sweet Riesling
  • 3/4 oz. Brandy, preferably a winegrower’s Riesling brandy
  • 3/4 oz. pineapple juice
  • 1 tbsp. lemon juice
  • Riesling Sekt Brut

Preparation: Combine Riesling, brandy, pineapple and lemon juice in the shaker with 3 ice cubes and shake quickly. Pour into a highball glass and top off with Sekt Brut. Decorate with a slice of pineapple.


Coat of Leaves

Coat of Leaves

Coat of Leaves

Ingredients:

  • 3 oz. G.H. Mumm Sparkling Rosé
  • 1 oz. Cognac, such as Martell V.S.O.P. or Cordon Bleu
  • 1/2 oz. Giffard Pamplemousse Liqueur
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon syrup
  • 1 dash Angostura bitters

Preparation: Measure all ingredients into a tulip glass. Add crushed ice and briefly swizzle to incorporate ingredients. Garnish with a lemon and grapefruit twist in the horse’s neck style.


Sparkling Apricot Rye

Sparkling Apricot Rye

Sparkling Apricot Rye

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz. Rye Whiskey
  • 1/2 tbsp. Apricot Preserves
  • 1 squeeze lemon juice
  • 1 bar spoon honey
  • 1 dash Angostura bitters
  • 2 oz. Mumm Napa Brut Prestige

Preparation: Measure preserves, whiskey, lemon, honey, and bitters in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until chilled. Fine strain into a rocks glass over one large ice cube. Top off with Brut Prestige and garnish with a dried apricot and a sprig of mint.

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