Good Morning and Happy New Year!

I got one of those last minute calls yesterday to go do a little bit on the local morning news  today on Champagne Cocktails — I simply couldn’t say no! If you’re in San Diego and wondering what you want to do in the 9 o’clock hour this morning, tune into San Diego Living and I’ll see you there! If you don’t get to see the spot, stay tuned and I’ll update this post with a few pictures and hopefully a video of the spot after we’re done.

Update — here’s the clip! It was really fun. Marc Bailey is a blast and I’m even more glad I prepped my champagne cocktails for men!

Here’s the deal, Champagne Cocktails are great! They are light, festive, easy to lighten up out with soda water and fruit juice and also work well spiked up with vodka and other alcohols. They are very versatile for day and night. And I also love how easy it is to convert them into tasty and festive mocktails using diet ginger ale or sparking water.

Here you my top selections for Champagne Cocktails for New Year’s! I have picked out my favorite original recipes, put together a few familiar favorites that are a tad bit on the lighter side. I’ve got recipes for New Years Eve and New Years Day. Then, I decided to do something for the guys, as men and champagne don’t always go hand in hand.

I always have such a fun time on San Diego Living!

So here you go, my most favorite and simple Champagne Cocktails for New Years! Simply swing by the grocery store and you’ll be good to go tonight!

Champagne Cocktails for New Year’s Eve

Pain the Town Red

• 1 oz Ciroc Amaretto Vodka
• 1 oz Cranberry
• 3 oz Champagne

Note: My signature NYE Cocktail! Mix this one up with different flavored vodkas like I featured here, or go with regular for a more traditional flavor. This 5 oz cocktail has only 132 calories.

Directions: Mix the cranberry and vodka in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until combined. Strain into a champagne flute and top with champagne and serve.

Rock You All Night Long

• 2 oz Sugar Free Red Bull
• 2 oz Blue Sports Drink
• 4 oz Champagne

Note:  This funny combination will keep you perked up and hydrated, both very important things for a late night! It’s also well under 100 calories per serving, making it a good companion for the night.

Directions: Fill a Collins or highball glass with ice. Add sports drink, red bull and then top with champagne and serve. Enjoy the funny color that it turns.

Champagne Cocktails for New Year’s Day

Skinny BeliniTini

• 1 oz Vodka
• 2.5 oz Champagne
• 1 oz Light Orange Juice
• .5 oz Sugar Free Peach Syrup

Note: This is an original SkinnyTini recipe and is featured in my book, SkinnyTinis: All the Fun for Half the Calories. It has 46% fewer calories than traditional recipe with only 145 per 5 oz cocktail.  

Directions: Mix the orange juice, syrup and vodka in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until combined. Strain into a champagne flute and top with champagne and serve.

Skinny Mimosa

• 3 oz Champagne
• 2 oz Light Orange Juice
• 1 oz Club Soda

Note: This is an easy way to lighten an already pretty light cocktail just a bit more. Another option is to use low sugar or light orange juice. But this idea works even when you’re out. If you like it sweeter, go diet ginger ale. Less sweet, stick with club soda. This version has just 72 calories per 6 oz serving.

Champagne Cocktails for the Guys

Black Velvet

• 3 oz Champagne
• 3 oz Guinness

Note: If you’re man does not like Champagne for any reason, try adding some Guinness. It’s a real drink and bartenders should know how to make it. It’s very light and tastes exactly how you would expect it to. If you like Guinness and champagne, you should give this a shot. It has just 92 calories per 6 oz serving. , or looking for easy drink when out. It’s also featured in my book.

Directions: Fill your glass (or mason jar) half way with champagne and then top with Guinness, but do not stir. You can poor the Guinness over a spoon to smooth out the mixture process.

Manmosa

• 1 oz Vodka
• 4 oz Blue Moon
• 3 oz Orange Juice

Note: There seems to be some debate about what’s actually in the Manmosa, but this recipe is from Urban Dictionary and it’s delicious. It’s perfect for the Gents to ease a hangover and watch the game on New Year’s Day, or any day for that matter. It’s actually champagne free, but a great compliment to your mimosa. It’s also pretty light with just 123 calories per 8 oz serving.

Directions: Add vodka to a pint glass or mason jar, add orange juice and top with Blue Moon. Serve with and orange wedge and enjoy!

What did I miss? Share your favorite Champagne Cocktails with me!