11 Genius Champagne Hacks to Make Your Party Sparkle

Brilliant ideas for all your bubbly needs.

21 March, 2018

11 Genius Champagne Hacks to Make Your Party Sparkle

All by its little self, Champagne says party. There's the glittery foil, the unmistakable pop of the cork, and the thousands of tiny bubbles that signal the arrival of a very good time. It's perfect enough on its own to be left alone, but where's the fun in that? Here are 11 ways to fancy up your Champagne (the term I'm using as a catchall for sparkling wines, so feel free to substitute prosecco, cava, or other sparkling wine when you try these out at home).

1. Start with a fluff of cotton candy in your glass. It's a whimsical touch that will bring out your childlike side for two reasons: (1) Cotton candy just looks so freaking adorable, and (2) when you pour Champagne over cotton candy, it melts into the liquid, making for a really cool party trick and a fun Champagne cocktail in one. As an alternative, place a smaller pouf of cotton candy on top of a full glass for a cloud-like effect.

2. Make a Champagne sorbet float. Pour the wine over a scoop of fruity sorbet for extra fizz and a decidedly more adult version of a root beer float.

3. Use rock candy skewers to add bright pops of color and texture. The candy will eventually dissolve into the Champagne if you leave it in your glass, or you can actually consume the rock candy as intended. Either way, super fun.

4. Place a handful of pomegranate arils in your flute. Nigella Lawson always calls them jewels, and for good reason: They look like tiny rubies, especially when they're floating in a glass of Champagne. And when you catch one in your mouth, the burst of flavor will be a lovely little flavor surprise.

5. Pour Champagne over ice pops. Gradually, the frozen treat will melt and turn the whole thing into a fruit-flavored Champagne cocktail.

6. Rim your glass with pretty colored sugar. Moisten the rim with water or lemon, then roll the rim in a pile of glittery sugar. You can also use crushed candy, like peppermint, when it feels seasonally appropriate.

7. Use frozen berries to keep your Champagne cool. Thread a skewer through frozen cranberries, raspberries, or other small fruit.

8. To quickly chill a bottle of alcohol, make a bath using ice, water, and salt. Get the mixture up to the neck of the Champagne bottle and let the bottle sit in the bath for 20 minutes.

9. To revive mostly flat Champagne, add a raisin to the wine. The raisin will move up and down, drawing in all the carbon dioxide in the liquid, then releasing it to make it carbonated again.

10. Keep an uncorked bottle of Champagne fizzy by slipping a metal spoon into the mouth. Store in the fridge until the next time you want to enjoy some bubbly.