Though Champagne is perfect on its own, an extra bit of colour and punch is always welcome. We trialled a number of Champagne cocktails at our team parties over the years, and here are our favourites. They are fun, easy to make, and big crowd pleasers. Prosecco or cava can be used in place of Champagne if you prefer. 

Spiced Orange Champagne Punch (Makes 4)

Heat 250ml orange juice, 3 tbsp sugar, 2 cinnamon sticks and 2 star anise pods over a low heat for 5 minutes. Allow to cool and pour into each glass until 1/3 full. Top with champagne.

Classic French 75 (Makes 2)

Slice a lemon peel and twist into a spiral. Create a syrup by heating 2 tbsp sugar and 1 tbsp water together. Mix 2 tbsp gin, 2 tbsp lemon juice and 1 tbsp of the syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake. Strain over a champagne flute and top with champagne. Add the lemon peel and some raspberries.

Christmas Pomegranate Cocktail (Makes As Many As You'd Like)

Blend pomegranate seeds in a blender. Pour through a sieve and collect the juice. Fill the glass by a third with pomegranate juice and top up with champagne. Decorate with a couple of blueberries.

Cherry and Thyme Champagne Cocktail (Makes 2)

Drain the juice from a jar of cherries into a saucepan. Simmer the juice and a few sprigs of thyme over a low heat for 5 minutes. Take off the heat and allow to cool. Put 2 tbsp of juice into each glass and add a cherry. Fill the rest of the glass with champagne and add a sprig of thyme to garnish.

Festive Bellini (Makes As Many As You'd Like)

Heat 1 300g packet of fresh cranberries over a low heat. Add 1 tbsp of caster sugar (add more if you want it sweeter) until you create a paste-like consistency. Allow to cool and put 1-2 teaspoons into each glass. Add champagne to fill the glass and stir carefully.

Image Credit: Richard Brendon