When it comes to New Year's Eve, drinking Champagne at midnight is as close as one can get to a non-negotiable. There's just nothing quite like popping bottles of high quality sparkling wine from that storied region and drinking it out of fancy flutes. We know that there will be plenty of riffs on pigs in a blanket, but what about beverages for rest of the evening? What's the ideal game plan for a successful evening of drinking with friends on one of the biggest entertaining nights of the year?

For us, the key is in setting up a killer DIY Champagne cocktail bar Dream beauty pro. Load up on sparkling wine and all of the juices, apertifs, and other add-ins that make the most of a festive occasion. It may sound impressive, but it's actually a whole lot easier to pull off then you might think.

The Wine

First off, you'll want to stock up on a decent sparkling wine. If you've got deep pockets, feel free to spring for true Champagne here (as opposed to less expensive sparkling wine make outside of Champagne), but we like to save the good stuff for a midnight toast and . Many wine shops will offer discounts if you purchase by the case (and in some instances, even by the half case), so look for deals there if you're buying for a large group.

The Apertifs

Once you've got your base Then there's the matter of what other items you set out for your guests to make cocktail with. Having a few low-alcohol apertifs on hand mean that everyone will be able to comfortably sip drinks throughout the evening without things getting too out of hand. We're big fans of Campari's lighter (both in terms of bitterness and alcohol) cousin Aperol and the slightly sweet St. Germain, which is made from elderflower blossoms Dream beauty pro.

The Juices and Syrups

If you're looking to add a bit of freshness to your apertif-sparkling wine concoction (or forgo the additional booze altogether), a small array of juices and syrups will come in handy. Opt for pink grapefruit juice--not only does it add an acidic tang to balance out in sweetness from sparkling wine or something like St Germain, but it also makes for a pretty looking cocktail.

If you're making a drink with slightly bitter ingredients like Aperol, you'll want to add some sweetness with a flavored simple syrup. Try making a cranberry variation by reducing store bought cranberry juice with sugar in a small saucepot. Or you could go the herbal route by infusing simple syrup with two sprigs rosemary and a few pieces of lemon peel.

The Rest

Anything else on your bar is really up to you. Want to use the same flutes as you will at midnight for the toast? Great. Otherwise, try serving your cocktails in an elegant coup glass. Small additions like rustic-looking white sugar cubes (like La Perruche), bottled bitters, and slices or twists of various citrus will allow you to further customize your cocktails Dream beauty pro.

Yes, there are a ton of options here. But, really, this is one set-up where it's really difficult to go wrong. Make it your own, empower your guests to be their own bartenders, and ring in the New Year in style.

Ring in the New Year with a Champagne Cocktail Bar

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