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Six classic Champagne cocktails
Celebratory occasions often call for a toast, and what better way to do this than with Champagne? While everyone enjoys a glass of bubbly, Champagne can also make a fantastic cocktail base when entertaining family, friends and neighbours.
While Champagne is a traditional go-to, premium cool climate Australian sparkling wines, particularly those from Adelaide Hills, can offer a delightful alternative. They are a versatile cocktail base when entertaining family and friends.
Why do we love these Champagne cocktails? You can mix them in just a few minutes – no fancy equipment is required.
Six Champagne cocktail recipes
Making these Champagne cocktails is easy and perfect for home bartenders at any skill level. These drinks are great for parties and can be enjoyed any time of the year.
Looking for Champagne for your cocktails? Check out our selection of Champagnes and sparkling wines.
Champagne Cocktail
The Champagne cocktail is a timeless classic that has been enjoyed for many years. Its origins can be traced back to the early days of mixology, possibly even before the 1860s. Despite its long history, it remains popular among cocktail enthusiasts today.
Its appeal lies in its simplicity. This elegant cocktail is made directly in the glass – no shaker needed! As the Champagne reacts with a sugar cube at the bottom of the glass, it creates a delightful stream of bubbles that race to the surface.
Ingredients
1 sugar cube
2 to 4 splashes of Angostura bitters
10ml of brandy (Cognac preferred)
Champagne, chilled, to top it off
Orange peel for garnish
Method
Place a sugar cube in a flute glass, then add a few dashes of bitters. Pour the brandy into the flute, and then carefully top with Champagne. Finish by lightly squeezing an orange peel over the glass to release its aromatic oils. We recommend a Brut Champagne for this lovely cocktail to balance the sweetness introduced by the sugar.
French 75
Looking for a cocktail to kick off your evening? Try a French 75.
This timeless cocktail features the tartness of freshly pressed lemon juice, crisp gin botanicals, and the Brut Champagne's bubbly charm. A splash of simple syrup imparts a slight sweetness, yielding a well-rounded cocktail perfect for raising a glass with mates.
The French 75, also known as Soixante Quinze, is a classic cocktail with a mysterious origin story. Various claimants – including the well-known bartender Harry MacElhone of Harry’s New York Bar – have staked claim to its creation. What’s certain is that it likely made its first appearance during World War I and carries the same name as the 75mm Howitzer field gun, as a nod to the accuracy and ‘kick’ of both. This elegant cocktail is a must-try for gin lovers.
Ingredients
20ml lemon juice
10ml simple syrup
30ml gin
Chilled Champagne to top
Ice
Lemon peel for garnish
Method
Mix the lemon juice, simple syrup, and gin in a cocktail shaker, then fill it with ice. Shake it until well mixed, then strain it into a chilled flute glass. Fill the rest of the glass with Champagne and top it off with a twist of lemon peel. Enjoy!
Kir Royale
With its striking jewel tones, a Kir Royale is an impressive-looking cocktail that adds an elegant touch to any get-together.
Traditionally, this cocktail mixes chilled Brut Champagne and crème de cassis, a French blackcurrant liqueur. If you don’t have crème de cassis, the raspberry liqueur Chambord is a good alternative.
Ingredients
1 tbsp crème de cassis
Chilled Champagne to fill the glass
Fresh or frozen blackberry, for garnish
Method
To make a Kir Royale, simply add a tablespoon of crème de cassis to a flute glass. Top the glass with chilled Champagne. You can add a few fresh berries as a garnish to enhance the presentation.
Buck’s Fizz
Buck’s Fizz is a winning combination of orange juice and Champagne. This drink, created in the 1920s, has become a popular aperitif at weddings and brunches due to its universal appeal. Don’t let the poor-quality versions made with concentrated orange juice put you off. Make it with freshly squeezed orange to enjoy this cocktail's vibrant, refreshing flavour.
This cocktail has the same ingredients as the classic American Mimosa, but a Buck's Fizz is made with two parts Champagne to one part orange juice instead of equal parts.
Ingredients
50ml of freshly squeezed orange juice, chilled
100ml of Champagne
Optional orange peel for garnish
Method
To make a Buck’s Fizz, pour orange juice into a flute glass, filling it up to one-third of its capacity. Then, carefully fill up the rest of the glass with Champagne. For an added touch of flair, garnish the drink with a twist of orange peel.
Black Velvet
The combination of Champagne and Guinness may seem like an unexpected pairing, but one sip of Black Velvet will reveal how the bitter, chocolate-like stout perfectly complements the effervescence of Champagne.
The Black Velvet cocktail traces its origins back to Britain’s Victorian era when it was served following the death of Prince Albert. With just two ingredients, it is one of the simplest Champagne cocktails to prepare. The key to crafting an impeccable Black Velvet is the gentle handling of the ingredients. The final presentation should showcase a dark Guinness base capped with golden sparkling wine and a frothy head.
Ingredients
1 part Guinness (other stouts can be used but can impact the taste)
1 part Champagne
Method
Start by filling a flute glass halfway with Guinness or your preferred stout. Then, gradually add chilled Champagne over the back of a spoon into the glass. With cautious pouring, your Black Velvet should present a creamy head and distinct layers of rich, black stout beneath the Champagne bubbles. Don't worry if the two layers mingle while pouring, your Black Velvet will still taste delicious.
Champagne Punch
A Champagne punch bowl takes centre stage at gatherings like Australia Day or New Year’s parties, especially when catering to a large group of guests.
Instead of being tied to making individual drinks, a Champagne punch allows you to socialise freely with your guests.
There are plenty of recipes to choose from – so you can mix and match flavours to suit your taste preferences. The basic ingredients include a bottle of Brut Champagne, 1 litre of ginger ale, 5 cups of your favourite juice, and 1 cup of your preferred spirit. Apple, orange and cranberry juices work well together. As for the spirit, opt for rum, spiced rum, gin or vodka – all great options that can be used to adjust the flavour of your Champagne punch to your liking.
Alternatives to Champagne
If you don’t have access to Champagne, don’t worry – any dry sparkling wine can be used as a substitute in these simple cocktails, including premium cool climate Australian sparkling wines like those from Adelaide Hills.
When hosting a large event or looking to save money without sacrificing flavour, alternatives to Champagne, such as Cremant and Cava, or even Adelaide Hills sparkling wines, can work perfectly in drinks like the French 75 or Kir Royal.
Fruit-infused and slightly sweet options like Prosecco and Moscato d’Asti can also provide a unique twist on Champagne cocktails, thanks to their aromatic profiles and subtle sweetness.
Additionally, you don’t have to limit yourself to Blanc de Blancs or Blancs de Noirs Champagne – incorporating a Rosé Champagne can add an extra festive touch to any of these sparkling wine cocktails.
