Considered one of the earliest cocktails ever made, there’s nothing quite like this classic champagne cocktail recipe when you feel like celebrating.
Made especially easy with bitters-infused sugar cubes, this recipe is perfect for New Year’s Eve, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, bridal showers, or pretty much any time you want to feel fancy.
“Bubblllllles! Bubbles! My bubbles.”
~Bubbles the Fish, Finding Nemo
I may or may not be like Bubbles the fish. Except, I go wild for champagne bubbles.
Seriously, the sound of a cork popping makes me giddy with excitement. There’s just something special about the effervescence. Make it a nice dry champagne, and I’m all in.
But sometimes, the occasion calls for a little bit more. Which is when I want a classic champagne cocktail.
A good champagne cocktail has just the right balance of sweetness and earthiness, and keeps bubbling for an extended period thanks to the sugar cube at the bottom of the glass.
According to Wikipedia, the classic champagne cocktail dates back as early as 1862, and some consider it one of the very first cocktails to be invented.
Best of all, the classic champagne cocktail recipe is incredibly easy to make. It takes only three ingredients (four, if you choose to add cognac), and there’s no special mixing or tools necessary.
All you need is the right champagne flute, sugar cubes, and Angostura bitters.
Tips for Making a Delicious Classic Champagne Cocktail
Most Importantly, Use the Right Champagne.
No, you don’t have to use ‘true champagne’ for your champagne cocktails, but using the right style and quality will make a big difference:
- Don’t use expensive champagne. Those are best consumed and appreciated straight from the bottle.
- Avoid sweet sparkling wines and Prosecco. Since you’re adding a sugar cube for the bubbles, those will get way too sweet.
- Skip the ultra-cheap sparkling wines. They’re great for mimosas and other mixed cocktails, but there’s not enough added with a champagne cocktail to hide the flavor.
In short, a mid-quality brut champagne is just right for champagne cocktails.
Tall Champagne Flutes are Best
Gatsby style wide-mouthed champagne flutes are fun, but this recipe is all about keeping the bubbles alive. And tall flutes are designed to encourage the release of additional bubbles.
Look at all those lovely bubbles!
Make Sure to Prepare Your Supplies
We all know that champagne should be well chilled, but to keep your champagne cocktail crisp, you’ll also want to chill the flute and the cognac.
Pour Your Champagne Correctly
Slightly tip your champagne flute while pouring, to avoid releasing all the bubbles in a frothy head. You want the bubbles to last as long as possible!
…in other words, don’t pour with your glass straight up like this:
Get Creative
- Pre-soak your sugar cubes to make it easy. Douse your sugar cubes with bitters and let them air dry for a day or so.
- OR make your own sugar cubes in festive shapes by combining bitters and white sugar in a silicone mold.
- Add a twist of lemon or orange peel to your champagne cocktails to brighten up the flavor.
Free New Year’s Eve Bottle Labels
If you’re entertaining this New Year’s Eve, don’t forget subscribers can download this gold glitter New Year’s Eve banner and matching wine bottle label for free.
Don’t want to subscribe? No problem, the banner and bottle label are also available for a small price in my shop.
More Cocktail Recipes to Love:
Classic Champagne Cocktail Recipe
Considered one of the earliest cocktails ever made, there's nothing quite like a classic champagne cocktail recipe when you feel like celebrating.
Ingredients
- 1 Sugar cube
- 2 splashes Angostura bitters
- 4-6 ounces Brut champagne or sparkling wine
- Optional: Splash Cognac
Instructions
- Add a sugar cube to the bottom of a tall champagne flute.
- Douse the sugar cube with a splash or two of Angostura bitters.
- Optional: add a small splash of cognac
- Tip the flute at a slight angle and fill with champagne.
Notes
Tips for Making a Delicious Classic Champagne Cocktail:
- Don't use expensive champagne. Good champagne is best consumed and appreciated on it's own. A mid-quality brut champagne is perfect for champagne cocktails.
- Skip the sweet champagne and Prosecco. Adding the sugar cube will make it sweet enough.
- For best results, chill your champagne, flute, and cognac in advance.
- Tall flutes are best for Champagne cocktails, because they encourage the release of additional bubbles.
- Slightly tip your champagne flute while pouring, to avoid releasing all the bubbles in a frothy head. You want the bubbles to last as long as possible!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
4 ounchesAmount Per Serving: Calories: 150Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party – and Merry Christmas!
kathleen Rupp says
This is great! Thank you so much for the recipe! Saw your post at the Tues. with a twist party:) pinned
Teresa says
This is perfect to celebrate the new year, thank you for sharing the recipe at The Really Crafty Link Party this week. Happy 2018!
Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled says
While champagne is not my go-to cocktail, I’ll never pass up a mimosa or some pretty looking flute! Visiting from Create Bake Grow and Gather party.
Jann Olson says
Thanks for sharing with Share Your Cup. I’m sure it’s not intentional, but I’m not seeing SYC listed on your link party page.
hugs,
Jann
Kerryanne says
Happy New Year Leslie!!
Thank you for linking up at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather this week and throughout 2017. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all your projects and hope you’ll continue to share your awesomeness with us in 2018.
May your New Year be filled with lots of creative endeavours!!
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Nehal says
Thanks a lot for sharing such an amazing recipe with all of us dear. I will try this cocktail recipe for my house party for sure. Thanks again. Regards.