Champagne Cocktail

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

A sophisticated jewel in the cocktail world, and star of the silver screen, the Champagne Cocktail is elegance in a glass.

Whenever I hear tonight’s drink mentioned by name, my thoughts immediately go to The Godfather Part II. Being a movie nerd/geek of the highest order throughout my childhood, certain cinematic classics didn’t get seen until I was a teenager. The Godfather movies were a few of those. At the beginning of the sequel, the character of Frank Pentangeli is taking Michael Corleone to task:

“You’re sittin’ high up in the Sierra mountains. And you’re drinkin’… uh, what’s he drinkin’? Champagne, uh, champagne cocktails. And you’re passing judgment on how I run my family.”

Out of everything that I could take away from my first viewing of that movie, the most memorable was Pentangeli’s use of Champagne Cocktails as an almost insulting example of what the arrogant or out-of-touch drink when they’ve forgotten where they come from. But as I started coming across other iconic films that featured the fancy drink, like the romantic An Affair To Remember and—one of my all-time favorites—Casablanca, I started to wonder if maybe ol’ Pentangeli wasn’t a little jealous.

Anyway, the Champagne Cocktail is neither snobby, arrogant, nor does it put on any airs. It’s not the drink, you see, but the drinker. This fizzy elixir is inviting, welcoming, and offers a little extra sweetness and bite. Tonight’s recipe is deceptively simple, and yet holds some fairly prominent complexity. It’s no spring chicken either.

Around since the mid-1800s, the Champagne Cocktail is a mixture comprised of a sugar cube and a few dashes of bitters mixed together at the bottom of a champagne flute, then topped with the champagne itself. The first recipe for this tipple appeared in Jerry Thomas’s legendary 1862 tome How To Mix Drinks, however, no one is certain of who actually invented it.

In more recent times, bartenders have added cognac or brandy to their Champagne Cocktails. Our version is a more traditional take, using only the sugar, bitters and bubbly. Try it both ways. History never tasted so good.

What Is The Best Champagne To Use In A Champagne Cocktail?

You can use sparkling wine or Prosecco if that’s what you have available, or what you prefer. But for a Champagne Cocktail, I’m going to nudge you in the direction of some fine, actual champagne. My personal choice is Taittinger. It’s not exactly cheap, but isn’t astronomically expensive either. Plus, it’s James Bond’s champagne of choice in Ian Fleming’s novels, and also features in the film From Russia With Love.

WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH IS USED?

A Champagne Cocktail demands a champagne flute. And once it’s ready to be served, garnish with a lemon twist and maraschino cherry. You can also drop a strawberry or raspberry into your drink if you wish.

WHAT IS A GOOD SUBSTITUTE FOR CHAMPAGNE?

A great substitute for champagne is a Sofia Blanc de Blancs. You’ll enjoy the dry, crisp texture and subtle fruity notes, which get elevated by the sweetness from the sugar and bite from the bitters.

Similar Drinks To The Champagne Cocktail

Suddenly, you find yourself with a guest list that’s longer than the Fourth Doctor’s scarf. And you don’t remember planning a party, either. Tired of hard spirits, you decide champagne or Prosecco is the way to go. And you made the smart choice by coming here to Twist & Toast to find the finest fizz-based concoctions.

• Black Velvet – A simple and amazing combination of stout beer and champagne.
• Champagne Jell-O Shots – Sometimes that which is gold does not glitter, it jiggles.
• French 75 – This potent classic features gin, lemon juice, sugar and champagne.
• Mimosa – If you don’t have a few of these at brunch, did it really happen?