The holidays are a time for celebration and I can’t think of a better drink to enjoy than the traditional Champagne Cocktail! Frankly, I’ve always been aware of this classic but never tried it until recently. The result? We found a delicious cocktail that resonates with simple sophistication.

Stone Cold Simple

Cocktails can get complicated pretty quickly, but the Champagne Cocktail is not one of them. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind doing some work but it’s a big win if you can avoid it (especially during the hectic holidays). This cocktail is about a simple as they come with a whopping 4 ingredients:

• Champagne
• Sugar Cubes
• Bitters
• Lemon Twist

So if your kitchen is stocked with the typical basics, you’re already 75% there!

OK, I Didn’t Use Champagne

Clearly there’s a significant difference between champagne and sparkling wine, but at my target price point of $10 I didn’t think that there would be a selection of real Champagne. For the unfamiliar, real Champagne is a sparkling wine that can only come from the Champagne region in France and since my perception is that it can get pretty pricey, I decided to go for a less expensive option.

Freixenet Cordon Negro $10

Great value sparkling wines has never been a subject I know all about, but with my pedestrian palate (and wallet) Freixenet Cordon Negro has always been a go to. Sure my pick is subjective, but it’s crisp and clean without the yeasty flavor possessed by most Champagnes. I’ve had it on a number of occasions and enjoyed it, so I figured that I’d carry on the tradition.

To be clear, you can use whatever you can get your hands on and I’m sure that it’ll still turn out great.

5 Steps to a Delicious Champagne Cocktail

Crafting a traditional Champagne Cocktail is easy, and starts and I’ll cover all the steps here.

I enjoyed this cocktail tremendously and its simplicity and festive nature are an ideal pairing for the upcoming holidays. Better yet, when you pop some bubbly this cocktail offers a great alternative for those that want something a little bit different.

Step # 1  – Assemble the Ingredients

Thankfully the Champagne Cocktail requires only four simple ingredients. Assemble everything and have them ready to go. They include:

• Glassware – I used a Coupe, but use what’s comfortable
• Chilled Champagne or Sparkling Wine
• Sugar Cubes
• Angostura Bitters
• Lemon Twist(s)

Step # 2 – Add the Sugar & Bitters

Add a single sugar cube to each glass and top it with a couple dashes of Angostura bitters.

Step # 3 – Pour the “Champagne”

OK, you need to contend with opening the Champagne or sparkling wine in this step. Don’t worry, it’s easy and Wine Folly’s post on How to Open Champagne will make you an expert in no time!

Step # 4 – Add the Lemon Twist

If you’ve been curious about how much of a difference a lemon twist will make in a cocktail, the Champagne Cocktail should answer your question. Add the twist after rimming the glass with the it and the citrus scent and flavor are obvious*.

*Note: Check out our How to Make a Lemon Twist post if you need a quick tutorial.

Step # 5 – Enjoy!

The Champagne Cocktail is delicious and will pair well with just about anything. Great with appetizers or even after dinner, you can’t go wrong with this option for your holiday merriment!

Conclusion

I enjoyed this cocktail tremendously and its simplicity and festive nature are an ideal match for the upcoming holidays. No matter if you choose Champagne or sparkling wine, you won’t be sorry with this choice.