Champagne Cocktail

The Champagne Cocktail is the epitome of simplicity and elegance in a glass. It consists of a sugar cube soaked in Angostura bitters, which is then topped with chilled Champagne. The dissolving sugar cube creates a continuous stream of beautiful bubbles from the bottom of the glass, making it as visually appealing as it is delicious. It's a sophisticated drink that subtly enhances the flavor of the Champagne with a hint of spice and sweetness.
Champagne Cocktail

Preparation

Preparation time: 2 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Champagne Cocktail is a quintessential classic and celebratory drink. It is categorized as an aperitif and is one of the oldest recorded cocktails, celebrated for its timeless elegance and use on festive occasions.

Serving

Served cold in a chilled Champagne flute or coupe, this drink is visually stunning with its signature stream of bubbles. Its alcohol content is moderate, primarily derived from the Champagne.
Serving size
Approximately 120-150 ml / 4-5 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 12-14% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Champagne flute or coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled glass

Backstory

The Champagne Cocktail is one of the oldest cocktails, with its first printed recipe appearing in "Professor" Jerry Thomas's 1862 book, "How to Mix Drinks". It was described as a "first-class tipple" and was widely popular in the 19th century. Its enduring appeal lies in its simple yet refined preparation, making it a timeless choice for toasts and special occasions throughout history.
Origin
The cocktail was first documented in the United States in 1862, though its exact origin may predate this publication.

Champagne Cocktail

The drink is universally known as the Champagne Cocktail. It is sometimes referred to as the Classic Champagne Cocktail to distinguish it from modern variations or other cocktails that simply include champagne as an ingredient.
Original name
Champagne Cocktail
Alternative name
Classic Champagne Cocktail

Characteristics overview

This cocktail offers a delightful sensory experience with its crisp, bubbly texture and a balanced taste of sweet sugar, spicy bitters, and dry Champagne. The aroma is a sophisticated mix of bitters and citrus, making it a refreshing and elegant drink for any season.
Flavor
Bubbly, semi-sweet, spicy, citrusy
Aroma
Aromatic bitters, yeasty Champagne notes, fresh citrus
Taste balance
Balanced, sweet, bitter
Aftertaste
Clean, crisp, lingering spice
Fizziness
Effervescent, bubbly
Color appearance
Pale gold, clear, continuous stream of bubbles
Texture
Light, crisp, effervescent
Seasonality
Refreshing, celebratory, all-season

Flavor intensity & Experience

This drink is moderately alcoholic and highly carbonated, with a delicate balance of sweetness from sugar and bitterness from Angostura bitters. It is not spicy, creamy, or particularly sour, offering a subtle yet complex flavor profile.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You will need a sugar cube, Angostura bitters, and chilled Champagne. A splash of Cognac or brandy is a classic but optional addition for extra complexity.
  • Sugar Cube1 cube
    A standard white sugar cube is perfect for creating a slow release of bubbles.
  • Angostura Aromatic Bitters2-3 dashes
    The classic and essential choice for adding spice and complexity.
  • Champagne90 ml / 3 oz
    Chilled Brut Champagne is traditional. Other dry sparkling wines like Cava or Crémant also work well.
  • Cognac15 ml / 0.5 oz(optional)
    This is an optional but highly recommended classic addition for extra depth and warmth.

Ice type

  • None

Mixing equipments

No special mixing equipment is needed for this cocktail as it is built directly in the serving glass, making it exceptionally easy to prepare.
  • None required for mixing.

Instructions

The preparation is remarkably simple: place a bitters-soaked sugar cube in a chilled flute, optionally add Cognac, and slowly top with Champagne. Garnish with a lemon twist to finish.
1. Chill your Champagne flute or coupe glass in the freezer for a few minutes before preparing.
2. Place one sugar cube at the bottom of the chilled glass.
3. Generously dash the Angostura bitters onto the sugar cube until it is saturated.
4. If using, pour the Cognac or brandy over the soaked sugar cube.
5. Gently and slowly pour the chilled Champagne over the sugar cube to fill the glass, tilting the glass to preserve carbonation.
6. Cut a long peel of lemon zest, express its oils over the surface of the drink by twisting it, and then drop it into the glass as a garnish.

Garnishing

A lemon twist is the classic garnish, adding a bright citrus aroma that complements the other ingredients. A maraschino cherry was also historically used for a touch of color.
  • Lemon Twist. Express the oils from a long peel of lemon zest over the drink and drop it in.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is typically free of common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, and gluten. While generally vegan, it is advisable to check the Champagne's fining process, as some wineries may use animal-derived products.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a relatively low-calorie cocktail, with around 140 kcal and approximately 5 grams of sugar per serving, primarily originating from the single sugar cube.
Calories
Averagely 120-160 kcal / 502-670 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 4-6 grams
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 4-6 grams
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is perfectly suited for any celebration, such as New Year's Eve, weddings, anniversaries, or birthdays. It also serves as a sophisticated aperitif before a meal or a delightful addition to a festive brunch.
  • New Year's Eve
  • Wedding
  • Celebration
  • Brunch
  • Aperitif

Pairing suggestions

The Champagne Cocktail pairs wonderfully with classic celebratory foods like oysters and caviar. Its crispness cuts through rich brunch dishes, and it also complements light appetizers or simple fruit and cheese platters, making it a versatile choice for food pairing.
  • Oysters
  • Light appetizers
  • Caviar
  • Brunch dishes like Eggs Benedict
  • Fruit and cheese platters

The Timeless Elegance of the Champagne Cocktail

The Champagne Cocktail is a timeless classic renowned for its elegance and simplicity. Its preparation—a bitters-soaked sugar cube topped with sparkling wine—creates a beautiful cascade of bubbles and a perfectly balanced flavor. Dating back to the 19th century, it remains a quintessential drink for toasts, celebrations, and sophisticated gatherings. Easy to make yet impressive to serve, it is a fundamental recipe for any cocktail enthusiast to master.

Similar Cocktails

Kir Royale

A different classic Champagne cocktail, made with crème de cassis instead of a sugar cube and bitters.

French 75

A more complex Champagne cocktail featuring gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup, shaken and topped with Champagne.

Death in the Afternoon

A potent variation created by Ernest Hemingway, which adds a measure of absinthe to the Champagne.

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