Champs-Élysées

The Champs-Élysées is a sophisticated and often overlooked classic cocktail that offers a perfect harmony of flavors. It builds upon the traditional sour template of spirit, citrus, and sugar, but elevates it with the addition of Green Chartreuse. This French liqueur imparts a complex herbal and botanical character that complements the rich fruitiness of the brandy. A dash of Angostura bitters adds a final layer of aromatic spice, resulting in a drink that is both refreshing and deeply flavorful.
Champs-Élysées

Preparation

Preparation time: 4 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Champs-Élysées is a classic cocktail that falls squarely into the "sour" category due to its use of citrus juice balanced by a sweetener. As a pre-prohibition style drink that has endured, it is widely regarded as a classic cocktail. Its sophisticated profile also makes it a fine aperitif.

Serving

This cocktail is served "up" (without ice) in a chilled coupe glass, highlighting its elegant appearance. It's a moderately strong drink with a noticeable but well-integrated alcohol presence.
Serving size
Approximately 115 ml / 3.9 oz
Alcohol content
~25-28% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

Named after the famous avenue in Paris, the Champs-Élysées cocktail captures the city's spirit of elegance and artistry. Its first known appearance in print is in Harry Craddock's influential "The Savoy Cocktail Book" from 1930. The recipe's blend of French spirits like Cognac and Chartreuse firmly roots it in the cocktail culture of early 20th-century Paris, a time of great creativity and celebration.
Origin
The Champs-Élysées likely originated in Paris, France, during the 1920s. Its inclusion in "The Savoy Cocktail Book" in 1930 helped to popularize it beyond France's borders, solidifying its place as an enduring classic of the era.

Champs-Élysées

The drink is consistently known by its original French name, Champs-Élysées, which translates to Elysian Fields. Sometimes it is written without the accent as "Champs Elysees Cocktail," but this is less common. The name evokes the sophistication and glamour of the famous Parisian avenue it's named after.
Original name
Champs-Élysées
Alternative name
Champs Elysees Cocktail

Characteristics overview

The Champs-Élysées boasts a complex aroma of lemon and herbs, with a flavor profile that balances tart citrus against the herbal notes of Chartreuse and the warmth of brandy. Its smooth, crisp texture and long, warming finish make it an elegant and refreshing choice for any season.
Flavor
Herbal, Citrusy, Complex, Brandy, Lightly Sweet, Spicy
Aroma
Lemon zest, Botanical, Grape, Herbal
Taste balance
Sour, Sweet, Herbal, Bitter
Aftertaste
Long, Warming, Complex, Herbal
Fizziness
None, Still
Color appearance
Pale gold, Light greenish-yellow, Clear
Texture
Smooth, Crisp
Seasonality
Refreshing, All-season, Elegant

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is led by a bright sourness and fruity brandy notes, followed by moderate herbal bitterness and gentle sweetness. It is a still drink with a noticeable alcohol strength that is well-integrated into its complex profile.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires a base of quality brandy, complemented by the essential Green Chartreuse liqueur. Fresh lemon juice and simple syrup provide the sour-sweet balance, with a dash of Angostura bitters to round out the flavors.
  • Brandy50 ml / 1.75 oz
    A good quality VS or VSOP Cognac is highly recommended.
  • Green Chartreuse15 ml / 0.5 oz
    This powerful herbal liqueur is key to the drink's unique flavor.
  • Fresh Lemon Juice20 ml / 0.75 oz
    Must be freshly squeezed for best results.
  • Simple Syrup15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Standard 1:1 ratio of sugar to water.
  • Angostura Bitters1 dash
    Adds aromatic complexity and depth.

Ice type

  • Cubed (for shaking)

Mixing equipments

You will need a standard cocktail shaker set, including a jigger for measuring, to properly build and chill this drink. A fine-mesh strainer is recommended for double straining to ensure a smooth, ice-free texture.
  • Cocktail shaker for mixing and chilling
  • Jigger or measuring tool for accurate pours
  • Hawthorne strainer to hold back ice from the shaker
  • Fine-mesh strainer for double straining
  • Citrus juicer for fresh lemon juice

Instructions

The preparation involves chilling a glass, shaking all ingredients with ice, and double straining into the glass. The final touch is garnishing with a freshly expressed lemon twist for aroma.
1. Place your coupe glass in the freezer or fill it with ice and water to chill.
2. Add the brandy, Green Chartreuse, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and Angostura bitters to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with cubed ice.
4. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds until the shaker is well-chilled.
5. Empty the ice from your chilled glass.
6. Double strain the cocktail through a Hawthorne strainer and a fine-mesh strainer into the chilled coupe glass.
7. Garnish with a lemon twist, expressing the oils over the drink before serving.

Garnishing

A simple lemon twist is the classic garnish, adding a bright citrus aroma that complements the cocktail's flavors. Expressing the oils over the glass is a crucial step for the full aromatic experience.
  • Lemon twist: Express the oils from a fresh lemon peel over the drink's surface before dropping it in or placing it on the rim.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, soy, and gluten. It is also suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets, as its ingredients are typically plant-based.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail has a moderate calorie count, primarily from the alcohol and sugar content. The carbohydrates and sugar mainly come from the Green Chartreuse and the simple syrup.
Calories
Averagely 210 kcal / 879 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 14 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 12 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This is an excellent cocktail for sophisticated gatherings, serving as a refined aperitif before a meal. Its elegant character makes it suitable for celebrations or simply for a stylish evening at home. It's a perfect choice when you want to impress guests with a lesser-known but brilliant classic.
  • Cocktail party
  • Pre-dinner drink (Aperitif)
  • Celebratory toast
  • Sophisticated evening

Pairing suggestions

The cocktail's blend of rich, herbal, and sour notes pairs wonderfully with rich and fatty foods. It cuts through the creaminess of soft cheeses and complements the savory flavors of charcuterie and roasted duck. For a simpler pairing, salty snacks like olives or almonds work well.
  • Rich cheeses like Brie or Camembert
  • Charcuterie board with cured meats
  • Duck confit or roasted poultry
  • Lightly salted almonds or olives

Champs-Élysées: An Ode to Parisian Elegance

The Champs-Élysées is a timeless classic that showcases the beautiful interplay between French spirits. It's a complex yet balanced sour cocktail where the fruitiness of brandy is elevated by the mysterious, herbal character of Green Chartreuse. The drink is brightened by fresh lemon and given depth by a hint of bitters. Perfect for those who appreciate a sophisticated, spirit-forward cocktail with a rich history, it's a taste of 1920s Paris in a glass.

Similar cocktails

Sidecar

A classic cousin in the brandy sour family, it uses orange liqueur (like Cointreau) instead of Chartreuse, resulting in a more straightforward citrus and fruit flavor.

The Last Word

Uses Green Chartreuse but with gin as the base spirit, along with maraschino liqueur and lime juice for a very different but equally complex and potent cocktail.

Brandy Crusta

A precursor to the sour category, featuring brandy, lemon, maraschino liqueur, and bitters, famous for its elaborate sugar-crusted rim and long lemon peel garnish.

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