This exquisite champagne cocktail recipe is a simple and traditional way to honor a special occasion or ring in the New Year! If you prefer champagne, the French 75 should be your next stop.

I know it seems like I’m talking about champagne drinks in general, but I’m really talking about the champagne cocktail.

And whether you’re searching for a new cocktail to greet the new year, a birthday, an anniversary, or just a regular Tuesday, this is the one.

What is a champagne cocktail?

The champagne cocktail recipe goes back to Jerry Thomas Bon Vivants Companion in the mid-1800s, which should tell us something about its staying power on any excellent drink list.

A champagne cocktail requires the following ingredients:

• cube of sugar
• Bitters of Angostura
• Chilled dry champagne
• Lemon zest

There is some controversy about whether the original recipe contained a tiny quantity of cognac, so feel free to add it if you wish.

What are angostura bitters?

Alright, I’ll admit that the history of angostura bitters fascinates me. A little history lesson:

• The recipe was created as a tonic by German surgeon general Johann Gottlieb Benjamin Siegert in the town of Angostura, Venezuela since it was said to have restorative effects (thus the name!).
• It was created to assist troops with unsettled stomachs in Simn Bolvar’s army.
• Several individuals mistook angostura bitters for toxic because they link it with angostura bark, which it does not contain.
• It grew popular in soda water and was served with gin throughout time.

And now, angostura bitters are a concentrated herbal alcoholic concoction that is often used to flavor drinks and, on occasion, food.

What kind of champagne should you use?

Since you’ll be adding a literal cube of sugar to this cocktail, choose a dry champagne, such as Extra Brut or Brut. You should avoid using a sweeter type for this drink.

If you need assistance selecting, this image depicts the many sweetness variants.

There is a case when Prosecco or another sparkling wine cannot be substituted.

What does a champagne cocktail taste like?

I’ve never been good at expressing the tastes of things without mentioning the thing’s name, you know what I mean?

The champagne drink has the flavor of dry champagne with a dash of sweetness and herbal bitterness.

I’m doing a bad job of selling this to you, but if you like champagne, you’ll adore it! Moreover, when coupled with champagne, the sugar cube generates the most gorgeous streams of bubbles.

It’s enthralling to watch them. Pun fully intended.

How to make a champagne cocktail

1. Prepare and put aside your lemon twist garnish.
2. Fill the bottom of a champagne flute with a sugar cube.
3. To soak the sugar cube, add 4 dashes of bitters.
4. Squeeze the lemon twist garnish into the drink to release the oils and add some flavor.
5. Garnish with a lemon twist and top with champagne.

You may need less or more champagne depending on the size of your champagne flute glass. The regular size carries around 5-6 ounces of liquids.

How to make a lemon twist garnish

Fortunately, it’s fairly simple, and all you need is a pairing knife!

I wrote a whole article on how I create my lemon twist garnish for drinks. See the link to discover how to create one for yourself!

Have leftover champagne?

Fortunately, I have just the article for you. Go on over to my post on how to store leftover champagne so you don’t have to gaze at that sad, flat bottle of leftover bubbly the following day that’s not so bubbly.

Helpful tips