Somehow – despite all the time I spent running First Pour Wine – I never managed to make a Champagne Cocktail for my site. It’s far past time to reconcile this mistake. The Champagne Cocktail is a brilliantly simple drink that you should try given the chance – and a sugar cube.
The Champagne Cocktail
Please note – the measurements listed below are a guideline. Many variants of the Champagne cocktail advise you to fill the glass. This will depend on your personal choice of glassware.
The Champagne Cocktail is fun because it combines the spice of the bitters with the bright, nuanced nature of the sparkling wine. The flavors are direct, yet complex and layered. Depending on the champagne or sparkling wine you choose, you can adjust the finished cocktail to match your wine preference. The tiny hint of sugar that slowly dilutes throughout drinking adds to the experience as the drink slowly changes.
Champagne Cocktail Drink Notes
The Champagne Cocktail is so few ingredients, that there’s no room to hide. Make sure you use quality ingredients.
- Champagne: One could dedicate an entire book to debating the finer points of Champagne versus other sparkling wines, and no doubt that some have. For this drink, don’t feel compelled to spend $40 for a real bottle of Champagne. California Sparkling, Prosecco, or Cava will work here. It’s personal preference so choose your favorite. My go-to budget bottles are Segura Viudas Brut Cava and Korbel Extra Dry.
- Bitters: Go with the classic here. It’s Angostura all the way.
- Sugar Cube: These are available in most grocery stores, you can use them in tea or coffee, as well old-fashioned (if you make them this way)
- Glassware: While you can use a coupe, a flute is a better choice here. You can see more of the bubbles, and there’s less chance of spillage. It’s also better for the nose of the cocktail, concentrating all those delicious smells.