7 Delicious Champagne Cocktail Recipes From Global Destinations

Party season is undoubtedly upon us.

One cannot browse online without encountering at least one photo or status update regarding a party attended by a friend. Alternatively, you might be that friend frequently sharing photographs.

Reflecting on the previous year, I recall scurrying through shops seeking the best deals on champagne and prosecco for this gathering, held to welcome the New Year and appreciate the spectacular views of the London fireworks from my new apartment.

Amidst the hectic preparations and attempts to figure out how to transport multiple bottles of champagne and prosecco back to London, it is fair to say that I was understandably stressed.

This year, I am assembling the usual group once more for what has now become a New Year’s tradition, but I adamantly refuse to succumb to the stress associated with the holidays. I am proudly proclaiming my newfound stress-free method for sourcing beverages for our soiree, but in reality, I owe my peace of mind to 31Dover.

This platform effectively ensures that we are prepared year-round for beverages, as I am determined not to engage in the arduous task of lugging numerous bottles of wine home from the stores ever again.

Given our discussions regarding champagne, I would like to present the seven recipes that are sure to be a success at your next gathering.

Let us proceed with the details.

1.) The French 75

This champagne cocktail, also known as the 75 Cocktail, is among the most renowned and is believed to have originated in Paris in 1915.

Developed by bartender Harry MacElhone at the New York Hotel, the name is thought to derive from the belief that the cocktail provides such a vigorous sensation that it resembles being struck by the powerful French 75mm field gun.

Ingredients:

1. Gin
2. Champagne
3. Lemon juice
4. Sugar

Instructions:

Combine the gin, lemon juice, and sugar in a cocktail shaker, strain into a champagne flute, and top off with champagne. Simple yet effective!

2.) Black Velvet

This drink was created to commemorate the passing of Prince Albert (husband of Queen Victoria) in 1861.

As observed during our recent visit to Dublin, the concept of consuming champagne during the mourning period for the Prince seemed overly celebratory, thus it was given a ‘black cape.’ Although this symbolism is no longer adhered to, it remains one of the favored champagne cocktails.

Ingredients:

1. Guinness
2. Champagne

Instructions:

Fill a flute halfway with champagne, then top it off with Guinness (or a stout of your choice). The goal is to have both liquids distinctively floating—much like the champagne donning a black cape. To achieve this, pour the Guinness onto the back of a spoon to ensure a gradual and even addition.

3.) The Passion

This is my unique cocktail recipe and consistently a crowd-pleaser. I have a profound appreciation for passion fruit—especially when incorporated into beverages—which led to its inclusion in one of my favored cocktails.

Ingredients:

1. Passion fruit
2. Lemon juice
3. Brown sugar

Instructions:

Add brown sugar to an empty champagne flute, filling it three-quarters with champagne, then add a splash of lemon juice for additional tang. Scoop out the contents of your passion fruit, crush them in a separate bowl, and incorporate a teaspoon of the freshly crushed pulp into the champagne glass.

4.) Mimosa

Mimosas have become a staple at brunches across the globe. The mimosa is believed to have been invented at the Hôtel Ritz in Paris by Frank Meier in 1925.

Ingredients:

1. Orange juice (or grapefruit juice)
2. Champagne

Instructions:

Start with orange juice, followed by champagne, or vice versa, depending on your preference. The aim is to mix both components well.

Note: This cocktail is often heralded as one of the best champagne cocktails due to its Vitamin C content, which is beneficial in preventing or alleviating hangover symptoms, thereby allowing for a more enjoyable experience without the potential for excessive discomfort.

5.) Kir Royale

My first memorable encounter with this cocktail was during a trip to Luxembourg. The origins of the Kir Royale trace back to Burgundy, France, where it was initially referred to simply as the Kir (the same cocktail principle applies, but with white wine instead of champagne). Named after Canon Félix Kir, a notable figure in the French Resistance during WW2 and the Mayor of Dijon, the Kir has an interesting heritage.

Ingredients:

1. Crème De Cassis
2. Champagne

Instructions:

Begin by adding champagne followed by Crème De Cassis. A typical ratio could be 1 part Crème De Cassis for every 4 parts of champagne; however, adjustments can be made according to personal preference.

6.) Champagne Punch

History:
The exact origin of this beverage remains ambiguous, but it appears that beverage enthusiasts discovered that champagne becomes even more delightful when infused with an array of fruits.

Ingredients:

1. Strawberries
2. Raspberries
3. Blueberries
4. Lemon juice

Instructions:

Crush half of the fruits and chop the remaining ones. Begin by adding champagne to a flute, introduce a splash of lemon juice, include some crushed fruits (a teaspoon is sufficient), and finish with the chopped fruits on top, being cautious not to overload as it may hinder access to the beverage below.

7.) The Classic Champagne Cocktail

Despite the seemingly generic title, this cocktail is quite specific and is among the few recognized by the International Bartenders Association’s Cocktail list. This cocktail is reputed to date back to 1862, credited to “Professor” Jerry Thomas. The original American variant is believed to have omitted the brandy.

Ingredients:

1. Sugar
2. Angostura bitters
3. Champagne
4. Brandy
5. Orange peel
6. Maraschino cherry (for garnish, which I personally forgo).

Instructions:

Start with champagne in the flute, then add Angostura bitters onto a sugar cube, placing this into the champagne. Subsequently, incorporate brandy, concluding with orange peel and a maraschino cherry as a garnish.