This champagne cocktail is a mix of bubbly champagne, sugar, and Angostura bitters that’s garnished with a lemon twist, dash of bourbon, or a maraschino cherry.

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Classic champagne cocktail in a champagne flute.

About Classic Champagne Cocktail

A classy drink for parties or small gatherings, this classic champagne cocktail takes an already popular drink for celebrations to a new, bubbly high.

What is a champagne cocktail?

The core of a champagne cocktail is the bubbly mix of champagne, Angostura bitters, and sugar. From there, you can garnish the drink with a dash of brandy, a lemon twist, and/or a maraschino cherry.

Fun fact: This is an official cocktail of the IBA (International Bartenders Association), which means it’s one of the many cocktails that will crop up during the World Cocktail Competition (WCC) in bartending

What goes into a classic champagne cocktail?

To whip up this cocktail, you’ll need three key ingredients:

  • Champagne (dry sparkling white wine)
  • Angostura bitters
  • Sugar (typically a sugar cube)

For garnishing, you could add one (or many) of the following:

  • A dash of brandy
  • A lemon twist (my personal favorite)
  • A maraschino cherry
Pouring champagne into the top of a champagne cocktail over a lemon twist.

What type of champagne should you use?

You don’t need to be too choosy when picking some bubbly, but you do want to make sure that whatever you pick is not sweet. This drink is best mixed with a dry champaign that’s served cold.

As for me, I tend to like Schramsburg Cremeant for this type of drink.

If you need some help picking the right champagne for your tastes, check out this list for finding the best one on any budget.

What does a champagne cocktail taste like?

Dry like champagne but with a hint of tart sweetness thanks to the sugar and bitters, this cocktail will take your favorite bubbly to the next level. This drink will do best with those who already love a dry (not sweet) champagne but would like to spice things up with a new way to enjoy an old favorite.

Notes & tips for this cocktail

More great drink recipes

How to make a classic champagne cocktail

This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. If you’re looking for the full recipe measurements and instructions, scroll down to Recipe Details.

Step 1 – If using a lemon twist, cut into the rind of a lemon slice, then cut away the pulp. Twist the strip of rind until it holds a curly shape, then set it aside.

Step 2 – In a small dish, add a few dashes of Angostura bitters, then toss the sugar cube in it until the sugar cube is completely saturated in bitters.

Step 3 – Drop the sugar cube in a tall champagne flute, then pour in bubbly champagne. Top with the lemon twist.

Step 4 – Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Details

Classic champagne cocktail in a champagne flute.
5 from 8 votes

Classic Champagne Cocktail

10 minutes prep
157 kcal
Yields: 1 glass
This champagne cocktail is a mix of bubbly champagne, sugar, and Angostura bitters that's garnished with a lemon twist, dash of bourbon, or a maraschino cherry.

Ingredients 

Instructions

  • Make a small cut into the rind of the lemon slice, then cut away the pulp, leaving only a strip of rind. Curl and twist the rind into a circular shape, firmly holding it in place for 30 seconds or until the rind can hold a curly shape. Set lemon twist aside.
  • Add a few dashes (or to taste) of Angostura bitters to a small dish. Add sugar cube to dish, then toss until sugar cube is completely saturated with bitters.
  • Add soaked sugar cube to a champagne flute, then fill to the brim with champagne. Garnish drink with prepared lemon twist.
  • Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1drink | Calories: 157kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 17mg | Potassium: 217mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg

I do my best to provide nutrition information, but please keep in mind that I’m not a certified nutritionist. Any nutritional information discussed or disclosed in this post should only be seen as my best amateur estimates of the correct values.

Author: Chrisy

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Recipe Rating




9 comments

    • Jenny

    Yum! I am a huge champagne lover.

    • Sharon
    • 5 stars

    Yum! I love this cocktail idea! I usually mix champagne with a juice but this seems slightly healthier and more flavorful. And that zzysh totally is a gamechanger! I just have a fancy champagne stopper but it only lets the champagne last an extra day. This seems much more efficient. Gotta try it out!

    • Denisse Salinas
    • 5 stars

    Wow I love the idea of adding bitters and lemon to champagne! This sound delicious. Will have to get one of those Zzysh stoppers too!

    • Kuleigh
    • 5 stars

    That wine stopper seems like such a great solution! You’ve got me craving a glass of champagne.

    • Willow
    • 5 stars

    I have something similar that draws the air out of the bottle. I usually use it for red wine, but I have used it for bubbly wines and it works for them also. It ‘s great because there’s no more waste!

    • Joan Cajic
    • 5 stars

    First of all this looks so pretty, and looks delicious really amazing.

    • Lauren
    • 5 stars

    This is the most game changing wine product I think I have ever seen! I might be in love. Haha