THE NEXT GENERATION OF SPARKLING
Champagne or sparkling wine is the beverage of choice for the holidays. Because only bottles made in Champagne, France can legally carry the name “Champagne,” many don’t realize that exceptional sparkling wines are being produced all over the world.
Try one of these during the holidays. READ MORE
Chapel Down Brut - England
The classic English sparkling wine, a fantastic alternative to champagne. Elegant aromas of red apple, lemongrass and freshly baked bread together with hints of strawberry, citrus and quince on the palate. Crisp and fresh with lively acidity and fine persistent bubbles.
Pairing - A great as an aperitif or a perfect pairing to salads, white meat and seafood such as the British classic - fish and chips.
Veuve Clicquot Champagne - France
The signature champagne of the House offers the perfect balance of structure and finesse. Golden-yellow in color, with a foaming necklace of tiny bubbles. It is pleasing to the nose; initially reminiscent of yellow and white fruits, then of vanilla and later brioche.
Pairing - All by itself or with my favorite scalloped potatoes.
Contadi Castaldi Franciacorta - Italy
This wine is a beautiful straw yellow in color with greenish highlights, enlivened by a fine and persistent bubbles. The nose is fresh, with floral notes. The mouth is tight and crisp, fresh, refined and with a lingering, very enjoyable finish.
Pairing - Seafood and medium strong cheese.
Clos Amador Cava - Spain
This wine is greenish yellow with golden hues. It has aromas of citrus, lime, and green apple. Hints of stone fruit and elegant dried fruits. Elegant and balanced, with purity of fruity aromas and refreshing acidity.
Pairing - Ideal as an aperitif or to accompany fish and savory pastries. Its complexity allows it to be enjoyed also with pasta or white meat dishes.
Featured Cocktails
From elegant spritzes to bold, spirit-forward blends, these curated cocktails are designed to impress. Whether you're planning a dinner party, happy hour, or a quiet night in, these recipes will elevate your sipping experience with flavor, ease, and a touch of flair.
The Original Negroni
Mix in a tall glass or shaker:
1 oz Bitters
1 oz Liqueur
1 oz Gin
Stir until cold and pour over a large ice cube. (Optional)
Top with a twist.
ENJOY!
Purple Pop Martini
INGREDIENTS
1 Shot Glass Empress Gin (1.5oz)
1 Shot Glass St. Germain Liqueur
1/2 pc. Lemon Juice
1 Honey/Lemon Pop or Stick
Sugar for Glass Rim
PROCEDURE
Lightly cover a saucer with sugar. Wet rim of a martini glass with lemon juice, swirl glass rim in the sugar and set aside.
Mix gin, liqueur and lemon juice in a shaker full of ice. Shake vigorously until frost appears on the shaker.
Pour into martini glass and garnish with honey / lemon pop or stick
Serve extremely cold. Makes one serving.
Muddled Mint Whiskey Sour
INGREDIENTS
Shot Uncle Nearest
Shot Cointreau
1/2 Shot of Lemon Juice
6 Jiggles of Ginger Bitters
PROCEDURE
Muddle 2-3 mint leaves in a martini glass or high ball glass.
Combine in all ingredients except mint in a shaker and shake until cold and pour on top of muddled fresh mint.
Pour into the glass and top with a mint leaf.
Rum Ginger Martini
INGREDIENTS
1/2 oz. Dark Run (overflowing shot)
1 oz. St. Germain Liqueur
1/2 Lime Juice (squeezed)
Splash of Ginger Beer
PROCEDURE
Mix rum, liqueur, and lime in a martini shaker with ice.
Shake until the shaker is frosty.
Pour into a martini glass
Top with ginger beer, garnish and lime.
Santa Claus Martini
INGREDIENTS
11.5 oz Vodka (1 shot)
1.5 oz Cointreau (1 shot)
Lime Juice (1/2 shot)
Sparkling WIne
Grenadine (1/3 shot)
PROCEDURE
Mix the first 3 ingredients in a shaker with ice and make it really cold.
Add to a martini glass.
Top with sparkling wine.
Pour grenadine down the middle.
Hot Cider
INGREDIENTS
32 oz. of Fresh Apple Cider
4 Sticks of Cinnamon
1 tsp of Nutmeg
Uncle Nearest Whiskey
PROCEDURE
Place cider, cinnamon and nutmeg into large saucepan and bring to a quick simmer on high heat, reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
Pour 8oz of cider into a mug, add one cinnamon stick from the cooked cider and 1/2 shot of Uncle Nearest.
Serve warm.
Orange Ginger Blossom
INGREDIENTS
1 Shot of Tequila
1/2 Shot of Grand Marnier
1/2 Shot of Simple Syrup
1/4 Shot of Real Lime Juice
Orange for Garnish
GInger Bitters
PROCEDURE
Mix all ingredients except orange garnish and ginger bitters into a shaker.
Shake until frost appears.
Pour in a highball glass, and add ice from the shaker.
Top with orange and ginger bitters.
Jekyll and Hyde
INGREDIENTS
1.5 oz. Jack Daniel's Whiskey (overflowing shot)
1 oz. Jekyll & Hyde Licorice Liqueur
1/2 Lime Juice (squeezed)
1 oz. Simple Syrup
PROCEDURE
Add all ingredients into a martini shaker with ice.
Shake until shaker is frosty.
Pour into martini glass and serve.
Pink Mamma
INGREDIENTS
1.5 oz (1 shot glass full) Tequila Reposado
1 oz. Simple Syrup
Splash Pink Grapefruit Juice
1/4 Lime
1 Tbsp. Sugar for Glass Rim (optional)
2 oz. Ginger Ale (for virgin option)
PROCEDURE
Place sugar onto a saucer and spread evenly. Cut a small piece of lime, line the rim of the martini glass. Turn glass rim upside down onto the sugar and coat the rim of the glass. Set aside.
Combine tequila, simple syrup, remaining juice from squeezed lime into a cocktail shaker with ice.
Shake the mixture until the shaker has frost on the outside of the shaker.
Remove top of shaker and pour cocktail into glass.
Top off glass with a splash of pink grapefruit juice until your cocktail appears pink.
Serve in your favorite martini glass.
FOR THE VIRGIN VERSION: Follow the recipe above, except substitute the tequila with ginger ale and mix in the glass and stir. DO NOT USER SHAKER.
Manhattan SB
INGREDIENTS
1 Shot of Whiskey
1/2 Shot of Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
2 Maraschino Cherries
1 Orange Peel
PROCEDURE
Start with a highball glass, and add one large cube of ice.
In a shaker of ice, add the whiskey and liqueur and shake well.
Pour drink over the ice cube, twist orange peel, and add to drink.
Top with 2 cherries.
Orange Mash
INGREDIENTS
1 Shot Jack Daniel's
1/2 Shot Grand Marnier
1/2 Shot Simple Syrup
2 Spritz of Lemon Juice
1/8 Juice of a Large Orange
Half Slice Orange Garnish
Spritz of Angostura
PROCEDURE
Mix all ingredients except orange garnish and angostura in a shaker.
Shake until frost appears.
Pour in a highball glass, and add ice from the shaker.
Top with orange and angostura.
Sipping Sense Spiked Tea
INGREDIENTS
1 Shot of Uncle Nearest Whiskey
1 Shot Rooibos Tea
1/2 Shot Cointreau
1/2 Shot Simple Syrup
Juice from a 1/4 Lemon
Angostura Bitters for Topping
PROCEDURE
Place all ingredients except bitters into a shaker of ice.
Shake until frost appears on the shaker.
Pour into a high ball glass.
Add a few ice cubes from the shaker.
Top with bitters and garnish with a lemon wedge.
Pisco Sour
INGREDIENTS
1 Shot Glass / 1.5 oz. of Pisco Liquor
1/2 Shot Glass Lime
1/3 Shot Glass Simple Syrup
1 Egg White
Angostura Bitters for Garnish
PROCEDURE
Place all ingredients into shaker half full of ice.
Shake vigorously until frost appears on the shaker.
Strain the cocktail into the glass.
Add remaining ice.
Drip 4-5 bitters on top and serve in a highball glass.
Sips, Pairings & Playful Inspiration
Wine and cocktail pairing doesn’t have to be complicated—it’s about tuning into flavor, balance, and fun. From acid and spice to salt and sweetness, the right match can elevate any moment. Explore our tips, experiment boldly, and find joy in discovering what works for your palate.
Want more curated pairings, fresh recipes, and seasonal sips? Join the Sipping Sense community and get inspired with monthly updates and resources.