Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just looking to add a special touch to a regular day, a refreshing champagne cocktail is a drink that’s anything but boring or predictable. We’ve rounded up 12 of the best sparkling cocktail recipes ranging from classic to inventive to enjoy on your own or serve at your next celebration.
The Happy New Year
Don’t let the name fool you - this refreshing drink is the perfect drink all year round. This champagne cocktail features a ruby port, brandy, orange juice, and sparkling wine. The ruby port is a fortified wine, similar to vermouth, with a big fruit taste. This version of a champagne cocktail is perfect for any celebration, be it big or small.
Classic Champagne Cocktail
The classic champagne cocktail evokes the glamour and nostalgia of the roaring 20s. A simple cocktail that requires aromatic bitters, a sugar cube, and a twist of lemon. It’s a cocktail worthy of a Fitzgerald; F. Scott Fitzgerald reportedly sipped plenty of these at the Ritz in Paris in 1925.
Figgy Sparkler
Cranberries, orange slices, and a single fig combine with vodka and bubbly to make a sparkling cocktail full of cheer.
Pro Tip: use The Block chipped ice in your shaker to ensure your cocktail doesn’t pick up strange flavors or aromas that can come from standard ice cubes. The Block chipped ice is filtered 7 times for a completely flavorless, odorless ice perfect for shaking cocktails.
Champagne Punch
Satisfy an entire party with a sparkly champagne fruit punch that has “everything but the kitchen sink.” Brut champagne, strawberries, oranges, pineapple, and fresh mint make for a festive punch for your next party. Add slow-melting, 7-time filtered Block Ice artisan ice cubes to keep your punch cool without diluting the flavors.
French 75
The French 75 cocktail has been one of the most popular champagne cocktails around since its inception at the turn of the century. Made simply with gin or cognac, perky champagne, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup, it’s an effervescent and refreshing drink that carries a sneaky punch.
Pro Tip: Skip the champagne flute and serve your French 75 in a Collins glass over ice with brut as a topper. You can use less expensive champagne and the ice adds to the refreshment factor.
Strawberry Champagne Punch
Champagne and strawberries go together like, well, champagne and strawberries. This Strawberry Champagne Punch takes advantage of this classic combination of sweet luscious berries and sparkling champagne for a punch full of fruity flavor and effervescent sparkle that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Pomegranate Champagne Punch
A tart twist on a classic champagne cocktail, the Pomegranate Champagne Punch starts with a base of pomegranate and cranberry juice. A touch of citrus vodka and a few tablespoons of cinnamon syrup add a warm touch to this party punch.
Air Mail
Who says a champagne cocktail can’t be strong? The Air Mail takes golden rum and pairs it with Brut champagne, honey, and lime for a celebratory cocktail that’s reminiscent of a French 75 or a Honey Bee, but with a surprising tropical twist.
Blueberry Lavender Spritzer
Prep this champagne cocktail a few days in advance by making a homemade blueberry and lavender simple syrup. Then, when you have guests over, you can combine it with vodka, fresh lime juice, and champagne for a delightful spritzer.
Make it a mocktail! Swap out champagne for soda water and you can serve a festive mocktail for your guests looking for a non-alcoholic option.
Apple Cider Mimosa
Planning an intimate gathering? This Apple Cider Mimosa combines warm spices, apple cider flavors, and bubbly champagne for a drink that is the perfect accompaniment to a casual, cozy fete.
Champagne Bowler
The Champagne Bowler combines fresh strawberries, white wine, sparkling wine, simple syrup, and cognac for a classic cocktail that first made an appearance in the 1930s. Make sure you’re using filtered ice chips or cubes for shaking and serving to prevent muddying up the flavors.
St. Germain Champagne Cocktail
St. Germain is an elderflower liqueur that pairs beautifully with champagne. It’s got a floral, sweet, and unique flavor that pairs well with both sweet and savory foods. While the St. Germain Champagne Cocktail is a great fit for brunch as an alternative to mimosas, it also makes a great addition to a dinner party, too.
The traditional recipe calls for soda water and champagne, along with the liqueur, served over ice, but this variation of simply champagne and St. Germain is extremely delicious as well (and packs more of a punch). Garnish with lemon peel, raspberries, or strawberries for a fresh and colorful finishing touch.
What sparkling beverage are you sipping on now that the weather is warming up? Share your favorite champagne cocktail with us on social media.
Photo courtesy of The Snug