It’s time to ring in a New Year! Whether we are out on the town, celebrating with friends, or having an intimate dinner and evening for two, Champagne is part of the evening! Champagne is great on it’s own, but it is also fun to dress it up a bit, especially on New Year’s Eve when we are breaking into a new decade.

My friend Lisa first served us this cocktail when we spent New Year’s Eve with her & her husband, Rich & another good friend, Laura. Lisa’s unique touch to the cocktail was a dollop of lemon sherbet added to the drink as she served them. The sherbet added another layer of lemon to the cocktail and a touch of icy creaminess. With or without the sherbet, this cocktail is an easy & excellent way to ring in 2020!

Limoncello Champagne Cocktail

Limoncello Champagne Cocktail (adapted from cookinglight.com)

Yield: 6 – 8 Servings

Ingredients:

• 1 lemon, rind and juice
• 1 cup Limoncello (lemon-flavored liqueur)
• 1 (750-milliliter) bottle Champagne or sparkling wine, chilled
• lemon sherbet or vanilla ice cream for serving

Preparation:

Cut 8 strips of rind from the lemon. Roll up each strip of lemon rind and place one in each of 8 champagne flutes. Add 2 tablespoon of Limoncello to each glass.

Add the lemon rind, Limoncello, and Champagne to the glass.

Juice the lemon then add 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice to each glass. Pour 3 – 4 ounces of Champagne into each glass. Top with a spoonful of sherbet or ice cream, if desired. Serve immediately.

Happy New Year!

Cheers to an outstanding year!  ~Linda

Limoncello Champagne Cocktail (adapted from cookinglight.com)

Yield: 6 – 8 Servings

Ingredients:

• 1 lemon, rind and juice
• 1 cup Limoncello (lemon-flavored liqueur)
• 1 (750-milliliter) bottle Champagne or sparkling wine, chilled
• lemon sherbet or vanilla ice cream for serving

Preparation:

Cut 8 strips of rind from the lemon. Roll up each strip of lemon rind and place one in each of 8 champagne flutes. Add 2 tablespoon of Limoncello to each glass. Juice the lemon then add 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice to each glass. Pour 3 – 4 ounces of Champagne into each glass. Top with a spoonful of sherbet or ice cream, if desired. Serve immediately.