Hey, Reader!

The countdown to Christmas may be over but now the end of the year is looming. It always sneaks up on me, how about you?

Not only will next week bring the start of 2025, but I'm also looking forward to celebrating 11 years since I published my first blog post!

Whether you've been here since the beginning or are just starting your cocktail journey, thank you for being here! It means so much to be able to share recipes and fun with this incredible cocktail community.

If you picked up a bottle of bubbly for celebrating (here's some tips if you need help picking a bottle), take it to the next level with one of these sparkling drinks:

classic champagne cocktail

This is a classic for a reason! Brandy, sugar cubes, bitters and champagne come together in an elegant sparkling cocktail that allows the bubbles to shine. It's a great way to stretch a bottle of champagne a little further. and is a simple yet impressive way to elevate a glass of your favorite bubbly.

french 75

This traditional bubbly cocktail comes together with just three ingredients, but looks oh so stunning! It's perfect for toasting any occasion. Dress it up a little more by trying one of its variations, like the floral French 77.

seelbach cocktail

Feeling a little fancy tonight? Try a Seelbach cocktail, made with bourbon, bitters and champagne! I know — a whiskey champagne cocktail sounds kind of weird, but I promise this is a delicious combination.

champagne margaritas

With tequila, lime juice and a hint of orange, this favorite cocktail gets a fancy upgrade from taco night to NYE with the addition of bubbly sparkling wine.

lemon champagne punch

Looking for a big batch drink to celebrate with a crowd? Lemon Champagne Punch is perfectly balanced between tart and sweet, making it something everyone can enjoy.

sparkling pomegranate mocktail

This sparkling non-alcoholic drink is a stunner that lets everyone raise a glass to the year to come! It's tart, bright and so fun to sip — it's hard to believe there's no booze in something with such complex flavors.

Need more ideas? Here are some favorite champagne cocktails.

One more thing...

are you doing dry january?

If you're taking a break from drinking this month, I'd love it if you joined me for my annual series, A Month of Mocktails. It's all about making boozeless drinks that actually taste good. All my top tips will be sent straight to your inbox every week for the whole month of January.

What are the details?

• Every week I'll send out some of my favorite recipes for you to try.
• You'll get my best tips for making great drinks.
• I'll offer encouragement to stick with it (plus tips to help).

Ready to join? Hit the button below and I'll make sure you're on the list.

Kanpai! (that's cheers in Japanese)

Susannah