10 Champagne Cocktail Recipes and Wines To Use
Nothing like a Champagne cocktail on new year’s eve or any lively celebration, right?
Just the mention of Champagne may be enough to remind you of life’s celebratory moments.
While the popular bubbly drink is a superstar on its own, Champagne cocktails are a fun way to explore its versatility.
You might be surprised what a team player it is along with ingredients like a dash of fresh lemon juice, or a hint of orange liqueur!
In this article, you’ll discover the best classic Champagne cocktail recipe as well as other cocktails that use sparkling wine. We’ll also show you some variations for customizing your sparkling cocktail and some great wine suggestions.
Further reading
- Meanwhile, do you want to know all about investing in wine? Look no further - here’s The Most Comprehensive Guide To Wine Investing you will find!
- Roses are red, violets are blue, Red Wine Is Scrumptious and Fine White Wine is too.
1. The Classic Champagne Cocktail
The classic Champagne cocktail has been around since the mid-1800s. And, this old-fashioned cocktail has managed to stay relevant and popular even today since it’s easy to make and tastes delicious.
Classic Champagne Cocktail Recipe
(Makes 1 serving)
Ingredients:
- 1 sugar cube
- 2-4 dashes of Angostura bitters
- Brut Champagne or sparkling wine
- (Optional garnish) A lemon twist or maraschino cherry
Method:
1. Hold the sugar cube on a spoon and saturate it with the Angostura bitters.
2. Drop the bitter-saturated cube into a chilled Champagne flute or similarly tall glass.
3. Fill the flute with Champagne. The sugar acts as a bubble generator as it dissolves, so only add the Champagne when you’re ready to serve.
4. Drop in a lemon twist, or place a maraschino cherry on the rim to garnish.
Variations and tips
- Use a good Champagne because it carries the main flavor of the drink.
- For a large party, you can prepare all the glasses with the sugar cubes ahead.
Here are some variations:
- Add ¾ oz of brandy (like Cognac) or a bourbon whiskey over the sugar cube before topping up with Champagne.
- Use a brown sugar cube instead of white for added aesthetics.
Best wines for a Champagne Cocktail
1. Taittinger Brut Reserve, Champagne, France (Price: $49)
2. Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial, Champagne, France (Price: $50)
Also read: Discover the best wine glasses to serve your refreshing Champagne cocktails.
2. Classic Mimosa
How about a mimosa? This is the best two-ingredient Champagne cocktail ever and a favorite brunch drink!
Classic Mimosa Recipe
(Makes 1 serving)
Ingredients:
- Chilled Champagne or sparkling wine
- Orange juice, top-up (preferably freshly squeezed)
- (Optional) Triple sec liqueur, like Grand Marnier or Cointreau
- (Optional garnish) Apple, cranberry, pineapple, or orange slices
Method:
1. Fill a Champagne flute halfway with chilled Champagne. Tilt the flute while pouring to preserve carbonation and prevent overflowing. 2. Top up with orange juice. This will mix the drink, so don’t stir the mimosa! The base ratio for mimosas is 1 part Champagne to 1 part orange juice, but you can always adjust to preference. 3. Add a tablespoon of triple sec to each glass, if you’re using it. 4. Garnish, and serve!
Variations and tips
If you want to modify it, here are some ideas: 1. Add a dash of pomegranate juice, pineapple juice, grapefruit juice, or even lemon juice for extra flavor. 2. Use cranberry juice instead of orange juice to turn it into a Poinsettia. Garnish with a cranberry. 3. Replace the triple sec (orange liqueur) with Chambord, vodka, or brandy.
Fizz it up with these wines
1. Nicolas Feuillatte Brut, Champagne, France (Price: $37)
2. Philippe Prie Tradition Brut, Champagne, France (Price: $22)
3. Bellini
lliniNamed after Italian artist Giovanni Bellini, this is a delicious two-ingredient Champagne cocktail to rival the mimosa.
Bellini Recipe
(Makes 1 serving)
Ingredients:
- Prosecco, or any sparkling wine
- 1 tablespoon fresh white peach purée
Method:
1. Put the tablespoon of white peach purée at the bottom of a chilled Champagne flute. 2. Slowly fill the flute with the sparkling wine to mix with the purée.
Variations
It’s easy to spike up this Italian cocktail too! 1. Add peach brandy and cognac to turn the drink into a Bellini Royale. 2. Add peach liqueur and Aperol to make a Bitter Bellini. Maybe throw in a dash of peach bitters too.
Lovely sparklers for the Bellini
1. Bisol Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Cartizze DOCG 2018, Veneto, Italy (Price: $32)
2. Jacques Bardelot Brut, Champagne, France (Price: $26)
Also read: Add a sweet twist to your Bellini with a delicate Moscato d’Asti.
4. Kir Royale
The Kir Royale is named after its French creator, Canon Felix Kir. It’s another easy two-ingredient Champagne cocktail.
Kir Royale Recipe
(Makes 4 servings)
Ingredients:
- Crème de Cassis
- 750 ml bottle chilled brut Champagne
- (Optional garnish) Fresh raspberries
Method:
1. Add 2-3 teaspoons of Crème de Cassis to the bottom of a Champagne flute. Drop 3-4 raspberries into it.
2. Fill each flute with Champagne and serve.
Variations
1. If you don’t have Crème de Cassis, you can also use Crème de Framboise.
2. Replace the Champagne with any other sparkling wine, and it becomes a Kir Pétillant.
3. Use still white wine instead of sparkling, and the drink is simply a ‘Kir’ without the ‘Royale.’
4. It becomes Kir Impérial if you replace Crème de Cassis with Chambord.
5. Make a Cider Royale by replacing the wine with apple cider, or a Kir Beer when you replace it with a light beer.
Delicious Champagne for the Kir Royale
1. Andre Chemin Premier Cru Tradition Brut, Champagne, France (Price: $29)
2. Didier Chopin Brut, Champagne, France (Price: $32)
5. Aperol Spritz
Aperol is an orange-colored Italian bitter apéritif made of rhubarb, gentian, and cinchona. Here’s how to mix it with Champagne.
Aperol Spritz Recipe
(Makes 1 serving)
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Aperol
- 3 oz Prosecco, or other sparkling white wine
- 1 oz club soda, to top off
- (Optional garnish) Orange or lemon slices
Method:
1. Mix the Aperol, prosecco, and club soda in a wine glass over ice. 2. Drop in the fresh orange or lemon slices to garnish.
Variations
You can add a flavorful twist to this aperitif this way: 1. Replace the club soda with simple syrup and ginger beer for some added spice. 2. Replace club soda with blood orange juice and simple syrup to make a deeper red drink.
Sparkling Wines to match with Aperol
1. Veuve Monsigny Brut, Champagne, France (Price: $24)
2. Villa Sandi Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Cartizze DOCG, Veneto, Italy (Price: $36)
6. Apple Cider Mimosa
The two-ingredient mimosa takes on the added citrus of apple cider - a perfect autumnal cocktail!
Apple Cider Mimosa Recipe
(Makes 1 serving)
Ingredients:
- Brut Champagne or sparkling wine, to top up
- 2-3 oz natural apple cider
- (Optional) 1 oz Cinnamon whiskey, vodka, or a flavored vodka like pear vodka
- (Optional garnish) Apple slices, cinnamon sugar
Note:
If you don’t have pre-mixed cinnamon sugar, you can whisk 1 part cinnamon powder with 4 parts of granulated sugar to make it.
Method:
1. If you’re using it, pour the cinnamon sugar onto a small plate. Rim a Champagne flute with a bit of water - roll edges in the cinnamon sugar to coat. 2. Add the apple cider and (optional) whiskey to the flute. 3. Top each flute with Champagne. The typical ratio is 1 part apple cider to 2 parts Champagne. 4. Drop in thin apple slices and serve!
Champagnes for Mimosa
1. Jacquart Mosaïque Brut, Champagne, France (Price: $40)
2. Mercier Brut, Champagne, France (Price: $33)
7. Champagne Margarita
What’s better than a margarita? A Champagne margarita, of course!
Champagne Margarita Recipe
(Makes 1 serving)
Ingredients:
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 1 oz tequila
- 1 oz orange liqueur (like Cointreau or Grand Marnier)
- 2 oz Brut Champagne or dry sparkling wine
- (Optional) 1-2 dashes of orange bitters
Garnish the rim:
- Lime wedges
- Salt or lime sugar (if you prefer it sweet)
Note:
To make lime sugar, mix ⅛ cup white granulated sugar with the zest of 1 lime.
Method:
1. Wet the rim of a cocktail glass with a slice of lime. Dip the rim into the salt or lime sugar to coat it. 2. Mix the tequila, lime juice, (optional) orange bitters, and orange liqueur in the glass. 3. Top off the glass with Champagne.
Variations
1. Use pink Champagne or Lambrusco instead of traditional Champagne for a lovely reddish tint to the drink. 2. Swap out the tequila with vodka. 3. If you have no orange liqueur, use fresh orange juice instead. 4. If you have no lime, lemon juice works just fine. Lime and lemon juice are often interchangeable.
Sparkling wines for the Margarita
1. Vittorio Graziano Fontana dei Boschi Lambrusco Emilia IGT 2018, Emilia-Romagna, Italy (Price: $28)
2. Charles Mignon Premium Reserve Brut, Champagne, France (Price: $36)
Also read: Here’s how to estimate the calories in red wine and its surprising health benefits!
8. Pomegranate Champagne Punch
Need a refreshing punch for a house party? Look no further than the Pomegranate Champagne punch.
Pomegranate Champagne Punch Recipe
(Makes 4 servings)
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 x 750-ml bottles of chilled sparkling wine (Champagne, Cava, Prosecco)
- 1 1/2 cups white rum
- 1 1/4 cups pomegranate juice
- 1 large lemon, sliced thinly
- Pomegranate seeds
- Fresh mint leaves
Method:
1. Heat the water and sugar in a saucepan to make a simple syrup. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Simmer for about 5 minutes, then allow to cool completely. 2. Mix the Champagne, pomegranate juice, and rum in a punch bowl. 3. Add in cooled syrup to taste. 4. Add in the lemon slices, mint leaves, and pomegranate seeds. Add ice.
Variations
1. Add in fresh lemon juice or orange bitters for an extra citrusy flavor. 2. Replace the sugar and water syrup combo with a ginger syrup. 3. Add ginger ale for added spice.
French Champagne or Spanish Cava for a Pomegranate Champagne Punch
1. Segura Viudas Reserva Heredad Brut Cava, Catalonia, Spain (Price: $26)
2. Canard-Duchene Brut, Champagne, France (Price: $37)
9. French 75
The French 75 is another classic cocktail that has its origins around the time of World War I.
French 75 Recipe
(Makes 1 serving)
Ingredient:
- 2 oz Gin
- 2 oz Champagne or sparkling wine
- 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.5 oz simple syrup
- (Optional garnish) Lemon slices
Method:
1. Shake gin, lemon juice, and syrup over ice in a cocktail shaker. 2. Strain the mixture into a Champagne flute. 3. Top off with Champagne, garnish with lemon and serve!
Note:
Build the cocktail on crushed or pebble ice. As the ice melts, it dilutes and mellows the pungent gin. Then you can add more Champagne to make this longer-lasting drink!
Variations
Here are some ideas to vary the French 75 cocktail. 1. Swap the gin with cognac. 2. Add some complexity by replacing the simple syrup with pear eau de vie and a spoon of honey syrup. 3. Make your drink floral with some added St Germain liqueur or extra citrus with orange bitters. 4. Add a dash of Amaro for a bit of herbal flavor.
Bubbly wines for the French 75
1. Recaredo Gran Reserva Brut Nature Cava, Catalonia, Spain (Price: $30)
2. Charles Lafitte Grande Cuvee Brut, Champagne, France (Price: $22)
10. Elderflower Cocktail
This refreshing floral cocktail is perfect for serving on a warm summer day. But of course, don’t limit yourself to just having it in summer!
Elderflower Cocktail Recipe
(Makes 1 serving)
Ingredients:
- 2 oz St. Germain Elderflower liqueur
- 3 oz Champagne or sparkling wine
- 1 oz club soda (soda water or sparkling mineral water will also do)
- (Optional garnish) Lemon twist
Method:
1. Pour the Champagne and elderflower liqueur over ice in a chilled Champagne glass. 2. Top off with club soda. Stir. 3. Drop in a lemon twist to garnish.
Note:
If you don’t have St. Germain Elderflower liqueur, you can try mixing a flower-infused liqueur with vodka. Adjust the ratio until it produces a soft floral flavor with a bit of sweetness.
French Sparkling Wines to mix into the Elderflower cocktail
1. Cattier Glamour Dry, Champagne, France (Price: $38)
2. Dopff Au Moulin Crémant d'Alsace Chardonnay Brut 2015, France (Price: $38)
Champagne cocktails are fun to make and drink. What foods are good to match?
Foods to Match with a Champagne Cocktail
The base ingredient in any Champagne cocktail is, well, Champagne or sparkling wine. So, food that pairs well with sparkling wine would likely match a cocktail made of this drink.
Some ideas:
- Smoked salmon
- Brie, Camembert, Gouda or Gruyere cheeses
- Chicken in a buttery sauce
- Oysters and scallops
- Apricots, strawberries, and… chocolate!
Now, you could try out any of these wines we suggested to prep your Champagne cocktails.
But, remember, you wouldn’t want to spend too much on Champagne or sparkling wine for a cocktail since any subtlety in the wine will be diluted by other ingredients anyway. So remember to keep your expensive, collectible wines to be sipped on their own!
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Mix Champagne Cocktails (while You Invest in Wine just as Easily!)
Fine Champagne is a drink that should be relished on its own. At the same time, Champagne cocktails are fun, versatile ways to dress up Champagne and sparkling wines for lively events.
(It doesn’t even need to be an event - you could simply mix a mimosa if you just want a boost of Vitamin C.)
And, cocktails are easy to make. The best part is, you can buy fine Champagne and other wines for investing just aseasily!
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