Impress at Happy Hour with These Whiskey + Champagne Cocktails

Ready to bring some DIY into your cocktail hour? How about impressing the crowd with homemade cocktails *and* handmade etched glasses? Our latest round of Brit Kits includes two glass-etching kits to give your drinkware a major update – the Etched Whiskey Tumblers Kit and the Etched Champagne Flutes Kit. And since the best way to show off these glasses is to fill them with delicious cocktails, we’re bringing you our go-to champagne and whiskey cocktail recipes, each with an unexpected twist. Keep reading for some tasty libations!

Ingredients:

– 1 oz. gin

– 1-2 splashes pomegranate grenadine (we used Liber & Co. Real Grenadine)

– champagne or sparkling wine

– raspberries

Instructions:

1. Pour a shot (1 oz.) of gin into each champagne glass.

2. Add one or two splashes of pomegranate grenadine into each glass, depending on how sweet you’d like the cocktail to be.

3. Fill the rest of each glass with champagne or sparkling wine.

4. Add raspberries as garnish.

The classic French 75 has gin, champagne, lemon and simple syrup, but we thought we’d add a berry spin to the cocktail. Enter Liber & Co.’s Real Grenadine, which is made with pomegranate and orange blossom water. This particular grenadine is much less syrupy than mainstream mixers, because it’s made with real cane sugar. And here’s a bonus — it adds tons of flavor without being overly sweet.

Start by pouring one shot (about one ounce) of gin into each etched champagne glass. Then add one or two splashes of pomegranate grenadine. Fill the rest of each glass with champagne or sparkling wine. Add a handful of raspberries to top off the yummy drink.

Pro Tip: Add the raspberries slowly! The fruit makes the champagne fizz all over again, which means you might be mopping up spilt champs (zamboni time!).

How simple was that? This drink may just rival the mimosa for our new favorite brunch cocktail.

Check out those bubbles. The thirst is real.

Whiskey Ginger With Lemon

Ingredients

– 1 oz. bourbon

– ginger ale

– Ficks Lemon Cocktail Fortifier

– lemon

– ice

Instructions

1. Fill up each whiskey glass with ice cubes.

2. Pour a shot (about 1 oz.) of bourbon into each glass.

3. Fill up most of the glass with ginger ale.

4. Top off the cocktail with a splash of Ficks Lemon Cocktail Fortifier, then garnish with slices of lemon.

Next up, we’ve got a whiskey ginger ale recipe with a major twist. We added Ficks All Natural Cocktail Fortifier, which includes tons of ingredients scientifically shown to prevent hangovers. Cool, right? Three cheers for Kickstarter for bringing this fortifier into the world!

First, fill each etched whiskey glass halfway with ice cubes. Pour one shot (about one ounce) of bourbon over the ice. Then fill up most of your glass with ginger ale.

Add a splash of Ficks Lemon Cocktail Fortifier and stir. Less is more with this stuff! Place a slice of lemon on the edge of each drink, and you’re good to go.

Whiskey. Ginger ale. Lemon. NO HANGOVER. Our kinda cocktail.

What are your go-to whiskey and champagne cocktails? Share with us in the comments below!


Imagine sipping Champagne above a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, or indulging in a heavenly spa treatment with the Manhattan skyline in view. Even if your wallet can't quite stretch to a full-blown luxury getaway, sprinkling a touch of luxe into your travels can turn an ordinary trip into a memorable adventure. That idea sparked our new series, Flights of Fancy, where we take you along for a trip to the luxury experiences around the cities we adore.

Dallas-Ft. Worth

Photo: Hôtel Swexan

This Secret Dallas Speakeasy Hotel Is A Luxe Experience For Any Budget

Situated near Dallas’s Uptown, the Harwood District spans 19 city blocks filled with dozens of shops, restaurants, and luxury office buildings (Rolex was the first tenant, back in 1984). This trendy area of the city has become known as a great place for a bistro lunch or happy hour cocktails, and last year welcomed its first luxury boutique hotel: Hôtel Swexan. Our writer takes you inside the luxe experiences, from cocktails to lodging.

San Francisco Bay Area

Photo: Ritz Carlton, Half Moon Bay

These Fancy Bay Area Brunch Spots Are Worth The Splurge

From Marin to Half Moon Bay, these fancy brunch experiences are more than just a meal; they deliver picture-perfect ambience and a memorable feast to enjoy with your best people. So pack your weekend best and head to the Bay for mimosas with a twist and a meal to savor.

Malibu, CA

Hotel June

Visiting Hotel June Malibu — A Retreat Worth Unplugging For

Hotel June has become an iconic PCH destination to unwind and delight in Malibu's thriving local community. As a typical millennial who's glued to their digital devices 24/7, our editor Ali couldn't be more thrilled for an excuse to log off and luxuriate in the present moment in the scenic hills of Malibu.

Miami

shutterstock

Miami Must: This 20-Course Tasting Has You Wash Your Hands In Chocolate

If your wallet doesn’t lend itself to a fully luxurious vacation, leave room for at least one splurge-worthy activity that’s sure to be a highlight of the trip. Our editor, a South Florida resident and self-proclaimed foodie, recommends Elcielo Miami.

Chicago

The Robey

Explore Chicago's Hippest Neighborhood From This Mid-Century Modern Hotel

One of the benefits of taking a trip to Chicago is that it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Sure, it’s not going to be super cheap to visit any major city, but in comparison to the U.S.’s coastal hotspots, Chicago is a fantastic deal. If you’re particularly intrigued by the Windy City’s emphasis on architecture and design, you shouldn’t miss The Robey hotel.

NYC

Bathhouse Williamsburg

This NYC Bathhouse Is The Best Spa Experience I've Ever Had

Bathhouse Williamsburg isn't exactly a spa. You won't get a facial — or even cucumbers on your eyes — there, but you'll find relaxation in so many other tangible ways. From their available array of amenities included in the day pass to the specific treatments like scrubs and massages, Bathhouse is perfect for taking a step back from a city that requires oh-so-many steps.

Follow along for all your travel needs with our Flights of Fancy series and Jetset Journeys series.

Fans of Fourth Wing are on pins and needles because Rebecca Yarros just announced she's finished writing the third book in the Empyrean series! It's us, we're fans — along with over half of BookTok.

We can't believe we're getting closer to reading more about Violet Sorrengail's journey, but we know you have a ton of burning questions about the release date for Book No. 3.

We may not have all the answers, but we've done a little digging to share as much as we can because who doesn't want to know what Rebecca Yarros has been up to?

I'm new to the Empyrean series. Are "Fourth Wing" and "Iron Flame" really worth reading?

Amazon

I'm not going to lie to you. The editorial team, including myself, are extremely biased about Fourth Wingand Iron Flame. From my perspective, I think these are great books for anyone who had the pleasure of growing up during the great Harry Potter era and moved on to watchingGame of Thrones and House of Dragons.

Did she announce the name of book no. 3?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

YES! Book No. 3 is titled Oynx Storm.

Knowing what we do about the manifestation of Violet's powers, I think this could hint she's going to play an even larger role in the series. According to a fan theory shared on TikTok(via Empyrean Riders), it's believed that Violet and Xaden Riorson are actually gods. Stay with me here.

Empyrean Riders noted that Violet's last name means heavenly and that she's able to control time thanks to her connection to the young dragon Andarna (I love her so much!). That sounds pretty god-like to me.

And when asked which two Taylor Swift songs describe Onyx Storm, Rebecca Yarros chose "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" from The Tortured Poets Department and "So It Goes..." from Reputation. "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" is one of Taylor's most powerful songs and definitely translates the idea that Violet's powers are going to be stronger than ever, while "So It Goes..." is equal parts suspense and seduction, and is TOTALLY about "all the pieces fall right into place" to get together with the right person.

There's so much more to unpack so I suggest grabbing a yummy snack while you fall down the rabbit hole. All I'm sure of is that Onyx Storm is going to leave our emotions in shambles just like Fourth Wing and Iron Flame did.

When did Rebecca Yarros announce she's done writing book no. 3 in the series?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

On June 17, Rebecca Yarros shared this image of her laptop to indicate she'd finished the third book in the Empyrean series.

She wrote, "(Pic from one of the very many locations in which this book was written)," towards the end of the caption before adding a few relevant hashtags to it.

When will Onxy Storm be available for purchase?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

Rebecca Yarros exclusively told Good Morning America that fans can expect the book to hit shelves January 21, 2025! That gives us a little over six months to prepare our emotions for what's sure to be a storm of a book.

She said, "There will be politics, new adventures, old enemies and of course, dragons." There's no way she could forget the dragons because I'd willingly riot over them. They deserve to have their stories told forever.

As luck would have it, Cosmopolitan received an exciting first look at what's to come in Onyx Storm. The excerpt begins with Violet realizing the Venin have found their way into Basgiath War College and are wreaking havoc. Alongside Rhiannon, Sawyer, and Ridoc, she races to stop the Venin from releasing Jack Barlowe from his prison cell.

However, Violet's shocked when she discovered one of the "dark wielders" has a long silver braid that closely resembles her own. Before she can fully react, the woman disappears. According to Screen Rant, there are possible theories about why Violet saw her and what this means for her growing power.

Towards the end of the excerpt, Violet discovers the Venin want to capture her too. Also, Xaden makes his long-awaited appearance and it's clear their playful banter in the face of danger hasn't changed. That he hasn't fully changed into the Venin Violet's used to seeing.

I officially can't wait to read the rest of the book in January!

Has Rebecca Yarros revealed the cover for Onyx Storm?

Today/Bree Archer, Elizabeth Turner Stokes for Entangled Publishing

Onyx Storm

Yes!

TODAY received an exclusive look at the cover for Onyx Storm and it doesn't disappoint! Unlike its predecessors, it appears Rebecca Yarros is hinting that darker events will take place.

Fans of the Empyrean series aren't the only ones who are excited to see what fate has in store for our favorite characters though. In a statement to TODAY, Rebecca revealed how elated she is to be working on the series again. "It's amazing to be back with these characters again. She also said, ""I can't wait for readers to see what Violet, Xaden, and the rest of the quadrant have in store for them in Onyx Storm!"

Are you excited for the release of Onyx Storm? Follow us on Facebook for more entertainment news!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

Looking for a more modern (and not to mention chill) Easter brunch this year? You best be mixing up some spring cocktails! Stock up on some fresh fruit at the farmers' market, put on your bunny ears, and flex your mixology skills with one (or a few!) of these delicious spring brunch cocktails.

Grapefruit Thyme Fizz

Go for a fragrant, floral refreshment by combining thyme with vodka and grapefruit! This easy cocktail recipe will last you way past Easter, too. (via Brit + Co)

Cadbury Creme Egg Cocktail

It's not an Easter cocktail without the use of some Easter candy! This sweet sipper leverages the classic Cadbury eggs for a creamy sip every time. Add a chocolate rim for even more delight! (via Brit + Co)

Strawberry Basil Margaritas

Margaritas might just be our favorite cocktail, and it's a wonder that there's so many variations of them! This take infuses the tequila cocktail with lime, basil, and sweet strawberries that you'll love sipping alongside some fluffy pancakes this Easter. (via Brit + Co)

Frozen Blueberry Paloma

For something with a cooling (yet still boozy) effect, this frozen Paloma cocktail will hit different on Easter. (via Brit + Co)

Glittery Spiked Raspberry Lemonade

Glitter makes every drink better, TBH. These zesty spiked lemonades are best shared with friends and family over brunch! (via Brit + Co)

Eggo-spresso Martini

This milky martini is the ultimate wake-up call on Easter morning. Amp up the brunch vibes with this boozy mix from Eggo, including their Eggo Brunch in a Jar Sippin’ Cream. (via Brit + Co)

Cucumber Gin Cocktails

Don't let the electric green color of these Easter brunch cocktails scare you away – it's just a blend of lime, cucumber, and Chartreuse! (via Crowded Kitchen)

Rose Lemon Spritz

Any spring cocktail that includes "spritz" is gonna be a big hit for your Easter brunch. Let this one sweep you away with a dreamy mix of floral rose and punchy lemon! (via Mixop)

Japanese Yuzu Whiskey Sour

Yuzu and whiskey make the perfect pair, and the citrusy notes from this cocktail are just what your Easter brunch needs! (via Takes Two Eggs)

French 75 Punch

This gin-based punch serves as a great base for any fizzy spring cocktail. The orange-y flavor is reminiscent of the beloved mimosa, only better in this batched version. (via Epicurious)

Strawberry Lemonade Bunny Colada

Pop off using some bunny Peeps for your next spring brunch cocktails! This recipe is a perfect fit for Easter celebrations. Here's how to make this dreamy drink.

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz Natalie’s Strawberry Lemonade
  • 4 oz cream of coconut
  • 1 oz lime juice
  • 4 oz white rum
  • 1 cup frozen strawberries
  • ¼ cup shredded coconut
  • 2 tbsp vanilla frosting
  • 1 tbsp Easter sprinkles
  • Pink bunny Peeps

Directions:

  1. In a blender, combine the Natalie’s Strawberry Lemonade, cream of coconut, lime juice, rum, and frozen strawberries. Blend for 30-60 seconds until smooth.
  2. Rim two glasses with white frosting and dip in a mixture of coconut and sprinkles.
  3. Pour the mixture into the glasses and garnish with pink bunny Peeps marshmallows! (via Natalie’s Juice Company)

The Sunburn Cocktail

This spring cocktail uses Sunshine Punch, a bottled mix of rum and vodka infused with orange and vanilla. Talk about an upgrade to your regular OJ! To make The Sunburn cocktails, shake 2 parts Sunshine Punch with 2 parts pineapple juice and .5 parts coconut rum over ice. Strain into a glass and garnish with an orange wedge for the full effect! (via Sunshine Punch)

Sweet Tea Prosecco Cocktails

Sweet tea is the perfect mixer for brunchy cocktails like this. The lemon and fresh mint leaves amp the flavors up in this glass even more. Iced tea cocktails FTW! (via Vanilla and Bean)

Elderflower Martini

All you need to craft this spring Easter brunch cocktail is four ingredients: cranberry juice, lemon juice, Citron vodka, and elderflower liqueur. Easy peasy! (via A Beautiful Mess)

Cucumber Basil Moscow Mule

We just love the ginger-y effect of Moscow Mules. The drink is super fizzy, which will keep Easter brunch interesting with every sip! (via The Real Food Dietitians)

Follow us on Pinterest for more recipe inspo!

This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.

Lead image via Natalie’s Juice Company.

Kate Winslet is THE Hollywood actress to me. Not only has she starred in box office smashes like Titanic and Avatar: Way of Water, but she's proven her acting chops in breakout indie flicks and provided mothers and daughters everywhere with eternal Christmas movie nights thanks to The Holiday. But the actress' consistently viral kindness, her dedication to embracing her natural beauty, and her sophistication don't mean she always feels confident. Kate Winslet just spilled on the one movie from her career that had her "sh—ing" herself, and I just had to dive in.

Here's what Kate Winslet had to say about her scariest movie experience ever.

  • Kate Winslet made a name for herself with Titanic, Sense & Sensibility, and The Holiday.
  • However those movies aren't the film she wants fans to ask about!
  • The actress spills on the movies she's proud of, and the one job that had her "sh—ing myself."

Talking to Vanity Fair for her newest film Lee, Kate Winslet revealed one project she wishes fans asked about more is Iris. The 2001 film stars Kate as a young Iris Murdoch against Judi Dench's older counterpart. And for Kate, nothing was more terrifying than working with such a wonderful actress.

"People don’t really ask me about Iris. It’s such a delicate film," she says. "It was the first thing I had done after having my daughter. Going to work with a baby, I’m playing Iris Murdoch, looking to Judi Dench’s older Iris Murdoch — I was sh—ting myself."

Considering how nervous I get when I meet my heroes, I can only imagine what it was like to meet Dame Judi Dench. Talk about a dream! Another film Kate loves is Revolutionary Road, and not just because she got to reunite with Leonardo DiCaprio.

"The thing that people say is, 'You got to work with Leo again.' Then they go off on the whole Leo tangent, which I totally understand," she says of the film, which follows an ambitious couple who find themselves trapped in the reality of 1950s suburbia. "But Revolutionary Road — f—king hell, it just knocked us all sideways. Unbelievably difficult material. I was very proud of that film and what Leo and I were able to create as Frank and April. It was so brutal."

The process for getting Lee into the world sounds equally brutal, considering Kate started working on it over a decade ago. As producer, Kate tells Vanity Fair she doesn't mind the fact she's done more for the film than if she only had an acting credit. "That has felt very necessary for this film. But it’s also just really important to me," she says. "It’s important to me that people know that it’s out there and might feel compelled to go and see it."

Because it turns out, commercial success or stardom on its own doesn't actually help your movie get made! "It doesn’t matter who you are," she says. "No one’s going to go, 'Oh, I’ll just back that pony because she was in Titanic.' It doesn’t happen that way, and I never expected that. That’s really important to say."

"I've gotten older and I’ve learned more and felt more confident in myself about whether or not I could actually do it," she adds. "It’s not something I would’ve done had I not felt so passionately about the subject, and Lee was just—she wouldn’t let me go."

Let us know your favorite Kate Winslet movies in the comments, and since we've officially entered cozy season, check out Why The Holiday Movie Ending Is The Most Important Scene while you're at it!

Marvel movies are known for their heroes and their hopeful outlook on the world. But in 2025, we're getting a brand new team: the Thunderbolts. This team is made up of antiheroes and former villains, and it's sure to be the wackiest and strangest, as well as one of the most memorable, superhero movies we've seen in recent years.

Keep reading for the latest news on Thunderbolts* before it hits theaters in 2025.

Marvel Studios/YouTube

Thunderbolts* comes out this May, and the cast just showed off some brand new footage at the D23 convention — and thanks to the new 'Celebrating 85 Years' spot, we have the first look too!

We get a look at Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, John Walker, and Ghost. Plus, Yelena Belova, of course. This heartbreaking detail about Yelena's new look connects Florence Pugh's Yelena to Scarlett Johansson's Natashaand I'm WEEPING.

Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios

And at D23 Brazil, we got a brand new look at my new favorite team. "There’s something in this film, in terms of superpowers and superheroes, that shows that our superpowers lie in how ‘broken’ we are," David Harbour said at the event. "As if our superpowers came from our relationships.”

What is the plot of Thunderbolts?

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

Thunderbolts* Plot

Consider Thunderbolts* to be The Avengers' edgy younger sibling. The movie follows Yelena Belova (who we know off the bat is a "depressed assassin" thanks to a Marvel Studios press release). She's joined by Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, and John Walker. Based on a leak, it looks like we'll see this group of misfits team up against Valentina Allegra de Fontaine after she sends them on a deadly mission.

Thunderbolts* Release Date

Jesse Grant/Disney

Thunderbolts* Release Date

Thunderbolts* hits theaters May 2, 2025.

Who's on the Thunderbolts team?

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

Thunderbolts* Cast

Thunderbolts* stars Florence Pugh, Geraldine Viswanathan, Lewis Pullman, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour.

This is a huge cast, and Viswanathan just revealed how crazy the first day of filming was. “My first day didn’t feel real," she tells Vanity Fair. "I felt this extra pressure of, ‘Know your lines, babe. You can’t really play around like you usually do.’"

Historically, sci-fi fans haven't been kind to actresses in their favorite projects (remember when Star Wars fans bullied Kelly Marie Tran off social media?). But Viswanathan is already thinking ahead. “If it’s overwhelming, I’ll log off. But I like discourse around pop culture,” she says. “[Thunderbolts*] felt a little bit edgier and fresher, more existential and dark.”

Jesse Grant/Disney

The rest of the cast also enjoyed working together. “Everyone is going to f—kin’ love me! It’s really, really, really fun to be with a group of actors that you have a good time with," Wyatt Russell says at Comic Con (via Variety), while David Harbour adds, “Florence Pugh [is] just electric to work with. There’s warmth and humor, but there’s also a lot of pathos.”

“This is why we can't stop laughing together, because we genuinely just had such a wonderful time with each other and we've loved working with one another," Pugh tells People. “I feel like this is something that we've never seen before from Marvel...it's a very open and honest and truthful idea. And I'm just really excited for people to watch it.”

Are you excited for this brand new chapter in the MCU? I really feel like Thunderbolts* will usher in a whole new generation of fans and I, for one, CANNOT WAIT! Let us know your thoughts on Facebook.

Lead images via Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

This post has been updated.