Chef notes

This festive Champagne cocktail is simple, fun and sophisticated. If you don't have a bottle of St-Germain, a tasty elderflower liqueur, already on your bar, now's the time to add one.

There's an endless array of bubbles for you to choose from to clink with this New Year's Eve. From $ to $$$, here's my bubbly brief to get you through the aisles with a little less stress.

Cava: It's a Spanish sparkling wine that usually has bigger bubbles and is typically dry (not sweet). it's perfect for big crowds and mixing into cocktails. About $10.

Prosecco: This Italian bubbly is similar to Cava in style but can be off-dry (a hint of sweetness) to completely dry (sometimes labeled Brut). It's also lovely for parties and bubbly drinks. About $15.

Cremant d'Alsace: This is the most like traditional Champagne, just produced a little farther north so it can't be called Champagne. It is French, tastes just like Champagne but can be had for a fraction of the price. About $20.

Sparkling wine: Typically it's bubbly wine made stateside, but can be labeled this way from other parts of the world including South America and Canada. It can be equally as sophisticated and fabulous to sip as French Champagne and can be found for $20 to $50 depending on the producer.

Champagne: According to some laws, and out of respect the only bubbly wine that can carry the name Champagne, this has to be made in the Champagne region of France. Prices range from $40 to over a $100. It's perfect for an intimate occasion, impressing your guests or a special gift.

When it comes to bubbly cocktails, I recommend Cava, Prosecco or a Cremant d'Alsace. Brut styles are my favorite — these are dry, no sweetness in the glass quaffs, giving you a nice neutral palate to start your drinks with.