Autumn in my mind is the best time for cocktails – especially champagne cocktails. Champagne is the perfect alcohol between light and intense so I feel it works perfectly for autumn. I have really gotten into champagne cocktails and most work well even with prosecco or cava.
1. 12 Grapes
The tradition of eating twelve green grapes in the first 60 seconds of the New Year is practiced around the world, but you don’t have to wait until then for this amazing cocktail. Add a little bit of St-Germain and your grapes to a glass, and then top it off with your favourite French champagne or prosecco; simple and delicious.
2. Kir Royale
I actually had no idea but this cocktail has a history of rebellion, due to the fact that it was created in the face of French occupation during WWII. Add a tot of crème de cassis to a champagne flute, top it off with your bubbles, and then add a few raspberries. It is tasty, refreshing, and perfect for a warm autumn evening.
3. Fig Spritz
To make this, start with fig syrup, add a touch of elderflower liqueur, some club soda, and then top it off with champagne. I suggest a slightly larger glass for this one but the effort is so well worth it.
4. Cranberry & Aperol Spritz
Anything cranberry makes it Christmas territory but this cocktail works for autumn as well. The cranberry & Aperol spritz combines cranberry juice, a dash of orange juice, Aperol, and then it is topped off with champagne or prosecco. It is refreshing, absolutely delicious, and a unique take on the classic Aperol spritz.
5. Creamsicle Mimosa
I love mimosas but in my mind, mimosas are most definitely a summery drink so you need an autumn update. You combine orange juice, half-and-half, sweet condensed milk and champagne to create a bubbly, zesty float that is hard to match. The addition of the condensed milk and half-and-half makes it a more intense cocktail perfect for autumn.
6. Christmas Punch
Most Christmas punch recipes don’t really include champagne as the main alcohol but I honestly don’t see anything more festive than champagne! Apple cider, ginger beer, cranberry juice, vodka and champagne are all combined in a bowl to create a tasty, layered, yet mind-blowing punch that will keep you coming back for more throughout the day.
7. Lemosas
Another fun update on the mimosa is what I call the ‘lemosa’, A ‘lemosa’ or lemonade mimosa, combines a lemon-infused blueberry syrup with lemonade and champagne to create a zesty, fresh, and mouth-watering cocktail that is perfect for brunch, a day by the pool, or a sunset picnic at the beach.
8. Mimosa Margarita
A mimosa margarita combines arguably two of the most popular drinks on the planet. Orange juice, a touch of lime juice and some tequila are topped with your favourite champagne, and salt is added to the rim with a wedge of lime to create a best-of-both worlds cocktail that will knock your socks off. I would say this is my favourite champagne cocktail and perfect if you like spicier cocktails.
9. Champagne Jello Shots
Finally, while this isn’t technically a cocktail, champagne jello shots are fun and addictive, super-easy to make, and can be flavoured in a variety of ways. Vodka, lemonade, champagne and gelatine are combined and refrigerated to create these tasty morsels. You can swap out the vodka for tequila, change the juice you use, add fruit, or whatever else you fancy to make these your own. I really like this since it feels a little bit more effort and unexpected for a holiday party.
Tips for Making Champagne Cocktails
Now that you know a few of the best champagne cocktails around, these are some basic tips which really help when making any kind of champagne cocktail.
Chill Everything
Firstly, chill everything. Champagne is always enjoyed best when it is cold and the last thing you want to do is dilute the cocktail with ice. Instead, stick all your ingredients and champagne in the fridge the night before to ensure everything is cold.
Build in the Glass
This is slightly annoying especially if you are making cocktails for lots of people but champagne cocktails are drinks you need to make in the glass you are serving it in. Using a cocktail shaker, multiple glasses, etc, will make the champagne lose its bubbles and become flat and unpleasant to drink. My trick is to keep the rest of the drink assembled to the extent possible and just add in the champagne into the glass, which brings me to next tip…
…Add the Champagne Last
Building on the last point, you should add the champagne last when making the cocktail. Also, to preserve the fizz, pour it slowly down the side of the glass so it doesn’t over fizz and become flat.
Keep it Simple & Balanced
Most champagne has a very delicate and subtle taste. Because of this, it is important to keep the flavours you add to a champagne cocktail simple and balanced. No matter how much you love the ingredients, practice some restraint to ensure you don’t overpower the flavour of the champagne.
Small Servings
Once again, to preserve the fizz in your cocktail, it is best to stick with small servings. Most champagne cocktails should be served in champagne glasses, either coupes or flutes, depending on what the cocktail is and because of this, you can keep the serving size small.
Let me know if you enjoyed these cocktails and if you have one to share.
– Anisha
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