Champagne has a nearly universal appeal. Perhaps no other product enjoys such a sterling reputation for outstanding quality. It is also the one wine that may be appropriately served any time of day, with any meal, and about any type of food.

It’s unlikely that when Dom Perignon discovered the process of making champagne he had any idea his sparkling wine would spawn a fabulous array of sensational cocktails. So exceptional are these libations that they have the capacity of making any night something memorable. The new breed of champagne cocktails is among the latest trends sweeping the country.

These cocktails are light, effervescent and exceptionally delicious. Like their famous predecessors, classics such as the French 75 and Ritz Fizz, these spirited libations possess all the necessary components for popular longevity. Eye appeal alone qualifies them as bona fide works of art. It’s their luscious flavor, though, that makes them masterpieces.

These cocktails are light, effervescent and exceptionally delicious. With the advent of the reusable bottle-stopper that keeps champagne carbonated overnight, you can pour champagne by the glass without being concerned that the unused portion will go flat and be wasted.

• FRENCH CONNECTION — Not surprisingly, many of the famous champagne-based drink recipes have their origins in France. Ernest Hemingway is credited with creating the Death In The Afternoon (Pernod and champagne) at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris in the ‘20s. Other French imports include the Champagne Imperial, a blend of V.S. cognac, Grand Marnier, a bitters-saturated sugar cube, and champagne; the Champs Elysees Cocktail, featuring brandy, Benedictine, sweet ‘n’ sour, and champagne, and the De Gaulle Cocktail, which is made with V.S. cognac, Chambord, sweet ‘n’ sour, and champagne.
  
  
• NEW WORLD LIBATIONS — The classic Ritz Fizz was created at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Boston and is made with Disaronno Amaretto, blue Curaçao, sweet ‘n’ sour, and champagne. The Blue Train Special is an intriguing combination of V.S. cognac, pineapple juice, and champagne. The savory Santiago features a selection of dark rums, triple sec, lime juice, sweet ‘n’ sour, and champagne.
  
  
• SUMMER FARE — For a light change of pace, consider sampling the What's Your Honey Dew? It’s made with Midori, lemonade and a fill of champagne. A classic in the making is the Down Under, featuring Disaronno Amaretto, sweet ‘n’ sour, orange juice, and champagne. Another fabulously flavorful concoction is dubbed Caribbean Champagne, which is made with light rum, crème de banana and a fill of champagne. Simple and delectable.
  
  
• CLASSICS — The legendary Champagne Cocktail is most frequently served in a champagne saucer, and is made with a bitters-saturated sugar cube, champagne and a twist of lemon. Light and brimming with flavor, the Champagne Cocktail is a superb aperitif. An exquisite variation is the Savoy Champagne Cocktail. It features the addition of Grand Marnier and V.S. cognac.
  
  Made with gin, sweet ‘n’ sour and champagne, the French 75 was created during World War I by American army officers. While some prepare a French 75 with cognac, it is most frequently made with a base of gin. Substitute bourbon to make a French 95. The cognac-based version is a French 125.
  
  
• INCOMPARABLE MIXER — Champagne marries with about every type of fruit juice or puree imaginable. The Mimosa, the famed combination of orange juice and champagne, originated in the 1920s. Others include the Bellini (peach puree), Poinsettia (cranberry juice), Puccini (tangerine juice), Moon Walk (grapefruit juice), Pizzetti (orange and grapefruit juice), Jersey Jack (apple juice), Bikini (passion fruit syrup), Ruddy Mimosa (orange and cranberry juice), and Champagne Hawaiian (pineapple juice).
  
  
• CONTEMPORARY CLASSICS — Two other specialties to strongly consider are the Pacific Rim, which is made with Midori, peach schnapps, orange and cranberry juice, sweet ‘n’ sour, and champagne, and the Caribbean Contessa, a blend of light rum, Cointreau, cranberry and orange juice. The Kir Royale — champagne laced with crème de cassis — is a regal variation of the Kir. Another drink well worth sampling, despite its slightly daunting name, is Nelson's Blood, which is charged with a jigger of tawny Port and champagne.
  

CHAMPAGNE ST. PETERSBERG Champagne glass, chilled Grenadine and sugar rim Pour ingredients into iced mixing glass 1 oz. Stolichnaya Razberi Vodka 1 oz. orange juice 1/4 oz. grenadine Stir and strain Fill with champagne Lemon twist garnish	CHAMPAGNE MARSEILLE Champagne glass, chilled Pour ingredients into iced mixing glass 3/4 oz. Grand Marnier 3/4 oz. Disaronno Amaretto 3/4 oz. Vodka 1 1/2 oz. orange juice 1 1/2 oz. sweet ‘n’ sour Shake and strain Fill with champagne	METRO COCKTAIL Champagne glass, chilled Pour ingredients into iced mixing glass 1 1/4 oz. Vodka 1/2 oz. Cointreau 1/4 oz. Rose’s Lime Juice 1 oz. cranberry juice Shake and strain Fill with champagne Lemon twist garnish
BARCELONA 75 Champagne glass, chilled Pour ingredients into iced mixing glass 1 1/2 oz. Midori 3/4 oz. Bacardi Limón Rum 2 oz. sweet ‘n’ sour Shake and strain Fill with champagne Lemon twist garnish	CHAMPAGNE MADRID Champagne glass, chilled Pour ingredients into iced mixing glass Grenadine and sugar rim 1 oz. Absolut Kurant 1 oz. orange juice 1/4 oz. grenadine Stir and strain Fill with champagne Lemon twist garnish	SEVILLE CHAMPAGNE Champagne glass, chilled Grenadine and sugar rim Pour ingredients into iced mixing glass 1 oz. Stolichnaya Ohranj 1 oz. orange juice 1/4 oz. grenadine Stir and strain Fill with champagne Lemon twist garnish
CARIBBEAN CHAMPAGNE Champagne glass, chilled Build in glass 3/4 oz. Light Rum 3/4 oz. Crème de Banana Fill with champagne Banana and cherry garnish	CHAMPAGNE JUBILEE Champagne glass, chilled Build in glass 1 1/4 oz. Disaronno Amaretto 2 oz. cranberry juice Fill with champagne Orange twist garnish	DOWN UNDER Champagne glass, chilled Pour ingredients into iced mixing glass 1 1/4 oz. Disaronno Amaretto 2 oz. orange juice 2 oz. sweet ‘n’ sour Shake and strain Fill with Champagne
DRY ARROYO Champagne glass, chilled Pour ingredients into iced mixing glass 3/4 oz. Tia Maria 3/4 oz. Chambord 3/4 oz. sweet ‘n’ sour 1 1/2 oz. orange juice Shake and strain Fill with champagne Orange twist garnish	ED SULLIVAN House specialty glass, chilled Pour ingredients into blender canister 3/4 oz. Light Rum 3/4 oz. Disaronno Amaretto 1/3 cup strawberries 1/2 oz. half & half cream Blend with ice Fill with champagne Strawberry garnish	LOBOTOMY Presentation shot glass, chilled Pour ingredients into iced mixing glass 1/2 oz. Disaronno Amaretto 1/2 oz. Chambord 1/2 oz. pineapple juice Shake and strain Fill with champagne