Turn your New Year's Eve into a tropical event, even in Kansas City.
Photo: Brady McTigue, SXC

Champagne is a fun and festive addition that makes any cocktail seem like a celebration. For a light and bubbly cocktail with a tropical feel, try the Champagne Planters Punch. The sweet fruit juices combined with the warmth of rum will chase away winter's chill for a New Year's Eve on the beach. As a bonus, the punch base can be mixed in quantity ahead of time and chilled, so it's easy to make cocktails for a crowd. 

Champagne Planters Punch recipe

• 1 part cognac
• 3 parts dark rum
• 1 part lemon juice
• 1 part maraschino liqueur
• 1 part orange curacao
• 6 parts pineapple juice
• 2 parts simple syrup
• champagne

Combine all ingredients except champagne, and stir to mix. Chill until ready to serve. To mix the cocktail, fill a tall glass to the rim with ice cubes. Fill the glass approximately 1/3 to 1/2 full with the base, then top off with champagne. Stir lightly. If desired, garnish with a maraschino cherry and an orange slice.

Fans of the champagne cocktail will enjoy 101 Champagne Cocktails by Kansas City native Kim Haasarud of Liquid Architecture. The cocktails are delicious, and the photos mouth-watering.

The small print disclaimer: The makers of many (but not all) of the products reviewed in Kansas City Cocktails have provided free samples to review. A free product will guarantee that it will get sampled. It does not guarantee a good review. If I say I liked it, I liked it.