These add zing to your bubbly, from left to right: Owl’s Brew, Small Batch Grenadine, Lavender Bitters, Cassis, Cola<137,2014/12/29,pmremote11> syrup<137>.Signe Langford/The Globe and Mail
Bubbles are beautiful on their own, but a little splash of something sweet, spicy and surprising will make this New Year's Eve toasting staple sparkle. Here are five elixirs to amp up your celebration.
Cassis Monna & Filles Black Currant Syrup
From picture postcard perfect Île d'Orléans, Que., this bright, fresh, fruity and tart cassis is made from berries at the height of ripeness. Started by fourth-generation liquoriste from Southern France, Bernard Monna, now his daughters, Catherine and Anne, carry on the business of cassis. The colour and aroma is intense, and added to sparkling wine it adds a lovely tartness. $14 from cassismonna.com
3/4 oz. Tonic Maison Cola Syrup
Made by industrial designer Alexandrine Lemaire and chemist and photographer Hanna Palmer from only noble ingredients, in small batches. This stuff is more akin to bitters than soda syrup, adding a foamy head, pale-brown colour and strong cola nut flavour. $25 from 34oztonicmaison.com
Scrappy's Lavender Bitters
This is the flagship flavour from Seattle bartender Miles Thomas and his small brigade of bitters makers. This 50-per-cent alcohol tincture is potent – a dash will do – and it's made with organic herbs and flowers. $28 from kaufmann-mercantile.com
Owl's Brew Pink & Black
This concentrated Darjeeling tea is all gussied up with hibiscus, lemon juice and zest, and strawberry, and is sweetened with a touch of agave syrup. Added to bubbles, the bone-dry tea tannins are softened by sweet, strawberry jam notes. $9.99 (U.S.) for a small or $16.99 for large rom theowlsbrew.com
Jack Rudy Cocktail Co., Small Batch Grenadine
Not even remotely like that sticky, neon-red, artificial stuff, this nectar is actually made from pomegranates the way it ought to be. It's made in the Napa Valley – a place that grows lots of the ruby-seeded fruits – by a company named after the founder's grandfather. They've added a splash of orange blossom water to up the fabulousness. $16 (U.S.) from jackrudycocktailco.com