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    Home » Recipes » Cocktails » Classic Champagne Cocktail

    LAST UPDATED: June 13, 2020 • FIRST PUBLISHED: December 30, 2019 By Toni Dash 48 Comments

    Classic Champagne Cocktail

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL

    Want to turn a plain glass of Champagne into a party cocktail? Easy peasy. This Classic Champagne Cocktail could not be easier or a more delicious way to elevate sparkling wine into a fun and festive cocktail.

    CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL

    Whether for a special occasion, Christmas, New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day making a Champagne Cocktail takes sparkling wine to the next level.

    It’s an easy, delicious cocktail that’s fun to make and serve!

    Bring the party to YOUR house and serve up this classic cocktail.

    Classic Champagne Cocktails with citrus peel

    What is a ‘Champagne Cocktail’?

    Technically it can be any cocktail using Champagne, or sparkling wine, as an ingredient.

    This particular recipe is a particular cocktail: Classic Champagne Cocktail.

    Instead of just champagne some additional cocktail ingredients are added for a sweet, citrusy cocktail.

    The Classic Champagne Cocktail is a great way to make a simple glass of bubbly even more festive.

    A few extra ingredients take delicious sparkling wine to the next level of sophistication. Perfect for any party!

    Ingredients for Champagne Cocktails

    Champagne Cocktail Ingredients

    • Sugar Cube
    • Angostura Bitters
    • Brut Champagne or Sparkling Wine
    • Lemon and Orange Twists

    sugar cube in glass with bottle of bitters and citrus peel

    Difference Between Champagne and Sparkling Wine

    Technically to call something ‘champagne’ is must be produced in the Champagne region of France.

    Champagne is a type of ‘sparkling wine’. Any other bubbly wine produced outside of the Champagne region is referred to as sparkling wine.

    Sparkling Wine can taste just like Champagne but it just can’t be called that.

    Classic Champagne Cocktails

    What is ‘Brut’ Champagne?

    Brut (pronounced ‘brute’) is the driest of champagnes or sparkling wines, meaning it is the least sweet.

    That is perfect for a Champagne Cocktail. Sugar is added to create specific type of sweetness while retaining the sparkling wine flavor.

    Using a brut Champagne or sparkling wine keeps the cocktail from being overly sweet.

    What Price Champagne to use for the Champagne Cocktail

    I suggest a mid-range price Champagne (or most likely ‘sparkling wine’ which is the true Champagne equivalent for anything produced outside of the Champagne region of France).

    Pricey Champagnes are great, but when making a cocktail I go for something good, but not the highest price range.

    You DO ‘get what you pay for’ so I would not buy the cheapest available as they can lead to a sad next morning.

    Champagne Cocktails and citrus peels

    PRO TIP: Making Citrus Peel

    A little tip for this cocktail. It uses citrus twists, a strip of citrus peel (in this case lemon and orange) that omits the pith (the bitter white layer below the exterior peel).

    If you have a bartender’s channel knife that is designed for this, have at it.

    It creates a long, slender string of peel that is twisted and squeezed to release the oil in the peel which adds flavor to the cocktail.

    I just bought a new channel knife that is built in to a citrus zester.

    Sadly, it did nothing but drag along the surface of the citrus and not cutting it at all (I need to order one from Amazon.com; note to self).

    My Personal Cheater Method

    A cheater way to do this without any special tools is to use a vegetable peeler.

    • Drag the peeler the length of the orange or lemon creating a fat peel.
    • Using a sharp kitchen knife, slice the peel lengthwise in 1/8th inch widths.
    • Twist and squeeze when adding them to the cocktail!

    For more ideas check out this post on Orange Zest or how to make Lemon Spirals

    Making Champagne Cocktails with sugar cubes and bitters

    How to Make a Champagne Cocktail – Step-by-Step

    A classic Champagne cocktail is easy to make.

    The flavor difference from regular Champagne is subtle but sophisticated. It deepens the natural Champagne flavor.

    STEP 1: Place a sugar cube in a Champagne flute and douse with 2-3 dashes of bitters.

    sugar cubes in a champagne glass doused with bitters

    STEP 2: Fill the glass with Champagne.

    champagne poured in glass with sugar cube

    STEP 3: Add some twists of orange and lemon.

    Assembled champagne cocktails with silver champagne bucket

    More Champagne Ideas

    Champagne is the sipper of the holiday but there are many ways to enjoy it.

    Champagne punches like the Champagne Cup are a great way to stretch your champagne dollar.

    It also dilutes the bubbly so everyone is still awake with all their faculties at midnight if enjoying it on New Year’s Eve.

    Some other favorites of mine are Sparkling Cranberry-Orange Champagne Punch and Sparkling Cranberry-Orange Cava cocktail. 

    Beautiful citrus flavors intermix with sparkling wines to make for a festive feel.

    I love the St. Germain-Champagne French Cocktail too.

    All my favorite sparkling cocktails check my Sparkling Cocktails category for ideas!

    Bubbly sparkling wine cocktail in festive glass

    Make your Celebration Complete! Try these Recipes too…

    • Sparkling Cranberry Vodka Punch
    • Devils on Horseback (appetizer)
    • Sparkling Drinks for New Year’s Eve {with and without alcohol}
    • Creamy Hot Artichoke Dip with Garlic Toast Rounds
    • White Chocolate Raspberry Semifreddo with Chambord
    Did you make it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

    Please SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK , TWITTER , INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST !

    Assembled champagne cocktails with silver champagne bucket

    Classic Champagne Cocktail Recipe

    A simple twist on a straight up glass of champagne gives a cocktail feel to any celebration. The Classic Champagne Cocktail serves up a depth of flavor that elevates any sparkling wine!
    5 from 22 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Cocktail
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 1 cocktail (aproximately 4-6 cocktails per bottle of Champagne or sparkling wine)
    Calories: 15kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1 White Sugar Cube
    • 2-3 drops Angostura Bitters
    • 8 ounces Brut Champagne or Sparkling Wine
    • Lemon and Orange Twists

    Instructions

    • Place a sugar cube in a champagne flute. Douse with 2-3 dashes of Angostura Bitters.
    • Fill with Champagne. Add lemon and orange twists and serve!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 15kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 0mg | Sugar: 3g
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!

    Originally published: December 30, 2016

    A Champagne Cocktail is perfect for parties or any cocktail hour.

    « Overnight Breakfast Casserole
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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Allyson Zea says

      December 29, 2021 at 1:53 pm

      5 stars
      One of my favorites!

      Reply
    2. carrie says

      December 29, 2021 at 1:30 pm

      5 stars
      this cocktail recipe is amazing for any casual get together, or even for a fancy one!

      Reply
    3. Renee Thiegpin says

      December 29, 2021 at 11:15 am

      This is exactly what I want for New Year’s, thank you! Cheers!

      Reply
    4. Vanessa says

      December 29, 2021 at 8:18 am

      5 stars
      I love this recipe. Had guests over after Christmas and they loved this. So simple too. Will make it for New Year as well 😍

      Reply
    5. Heidy says

      December 29, 2021 at 8:03 am

      5 stars
      This was AN EXCELLENT TASTING COCKTAIL! My husband and I loved the flavors and enjoyed a few of these (too many). Ha Ha–tis the Holiday spirit. Happy Holidays!

      Reply
    6. Heather Perine says

      December 29, 2021 at 7:24 am

      5 stars
      Love a good champagne cocktail! Perfect for New Year’s!! And thanks for the tip on using the vegetable peeler too…gonna try that 🙂

      Reply
    7. Claudia Lamascolo says

      December 29, 2021 at 7:12 am

      5 stars
      What a great way to bring in the New Year I love the addition of orange and lemon twists, going to be on my list to make for sure!

      Reply
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    About Toni Dash

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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