Classic Champagne Cocktail Recipe

5 from 1 vote

This simple and classic champagne cocktail recipe is an elegant way to toast a special occasion or ring in the New Year! If you enjoy champagne, you should try the French 75 next.

Two glasses of champagne cocktail in champagne flutes on a black bar

I know it sounds like I'm talking generically about cocktails made with champagne, but I'm actually talking about a drink called the champagne cocktail.

And if you're looking for your next drink of choice to toast to the new year, a birthday, anniversary, or a random Tuesday, this is the one for you.

What is a champagne cocktail?

The recipe for the champagne cocktail dates back to Jerry Thomas' Bon Vivant's Companion in the mid-1800s, and that alone should tell us about its serious staying power on any good drink list.

To make a champagne cocktail, you need:

Sugar cube
Angostura bitters
Dry champagne, chilled
Lemon twist

There's debate over whether or not the original recipe also included a small amount of cognac, so you can feel free to add it if you'd like.

Champagne being poured into a champagne flute with a sugar cube on a black bar

What are angostura bitters?

Okay, I actually find the origins of angostura bitters friggin' fascinating. Super quick history lesson:

The recipe was originally developed as a tonic by German surgeon general Johann Gottlieb Benjamin Siegert in the town of Angostura, Venezuela because it was alleged to have restorative properties – hence, the name!
It was developed to help the soldiers in Simón Bolívar's army with upset stomachs
Some people mistakenly believed angostura bitters have poisonous qualities because they associate it with angostura bark – which is does not contain
Over time, it became popular in soda water and was served with gin

And now, angostura bitters are concentrated herbal alcoholic preparation typically used today for flavoring cocktails, and sometimes also food.

What kind of champagne should you use?

Because you're adding a literal cube of sugar to this drink, you want to aim for a dry champagne, like an Extra Brut or Brut. You don't want to use a sweeter variety for this particular cocktail.

This picture shows you the different variations in sweetness if you need help deciding.

This is an instance when you can't substitute Prosecco, or another kind of sparkling wine.

A sugar cube being dropped into a champagne flute on a black bar

Angostura bitters being poured into a champagne flute on a black bar

What does a champagne cocktail taste like?

I've never been good at describing the flavors of things without using the name of the thing in my description… you know what I mean?

The champagne cocktail tastes like dry champagne, but with a smidge of sweetness and a hint of herbal bitterness.

I'm doing a terrible job selling this to you, but I can say that if you're a fan of champagne you will love this! Plus, the sugar cube produces the most beautiful streams of bubbles when combined with the champagne.

Watching them is intoxicating. Pun 110% intended.

A champagne flute with freshly poured champagne bubbling up over the top

How to make a champagne cocktail

Make your lemon twist garnish and set aside.
Add a sugar cube to the bottom of a champagne flute.
Add 4 dashes of bitters to soak the sugar cube.
Squeeze your lemon twist garnish into the glass to release the oils and add a little extra flavor.
Top with champagne and garnish the lemon twist.

FYI: Depending on the size of your champagne flute glass, you may need less or more champagne. The standard size holds 5-6 ounces of fluid.

How to make a lemon twist garnish

Thankfully, it's quite easy – and all you need is a pairing knife!

I've got a whole post about how I like to make my lemon twist garnish for cocktails – hop over to the post and learn how to make one yourself!

Sugar cube causing bubbles in a champagne cocktail in a clear glass flute

A lemon twist garnish being placed on a champagne cocktail on a black bar

Have leftover champagne?

Luckily I have just the post for you – hop over to this post about how to store leftover champagne so you don't have to stare at that sad, flat bottle of leftover bubbly the next day that's… well, not so bubbly.

A champagne cocktail on a black bar with a lemon twist garnish

Helpful tips

Make sure your champagne is chilled. This cocktail isn't shaken with or served over ice, so you want to make sure your champagne is chilled ahead of time.
Use a dry champagne. Because you're adding a literal cube of sugar to this drink, you want to aim for a dry champagne, like an Extra Brut or Brut. You don't want to use a sweeter variety for this particular cocktail.

FAQs

I don't have sugar cubes. What should I do?

You can use a teaspoon of simple syrup instead, but you're going to miss out on the gorgeous bubbles you get with the sugar cube.

I don't have angostura bitters, either! What can I substitute?

Keeping in mind that it's going to change the flavor profile of the drink a bit, you can swap out for orange bitters, or 1/4 teaspoon Campari, Absinthe, or an Amaro.

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