The Champagne Cocktail

Esquire's 1949 "Handbook for Hosts" instructs gentlemen that the Champagne cocktail "is not a tipple to tender with hamburgers and onions," but rather is best served with upscale appetizers.

Champagne is recognized as the universal symbol of good news, and this cocktail's simple recipe shows that life doesn't have to be difficult to be enjoyed. It is hard to say how long this cocktail has been around. Although many cocktail recipes have enjoyed sustained popularity, the Champagne Cocktail has endured through society's changing tastes.

The Champagne Cocktail was named one of the 10 best cocktails of 1934 by Esquire magazine, and we've found hints of other references taking this cocktail back to the early 19th century. It also appears in Jerry Thomas's "How To Mix Drinks", which is the oldest known book of cocktail recipes.

Making a Champagne Cocktail

The Champagne Cocktail is perhaps one of the easiest cocktails to make, with virtually no hassle or even additional equipment or tools. Start off by taking a single sugar cube, and while holding it over the opening of a bottle of Angostura bitters, invert the bottle so that some bitters soaks directly into the sugar. Drop the cube into the bottom of a champagne flute, and then fill the glass with champagne. For a garnish, you can add a dainty spiral of lemon twist.

	Visit our Champagne Cocktails feature for lots of different ways to serve Champagne. Champagne Cocktails »

The reality of drinking champagne neat is that you must spend a small fortune for a superb bottle. With the Champagne Cocktail, you can trust the bitters to take the edge off a lesser wine. For this drink, you can spend much less for a reasonable bottle of sparkling wine or champagne.

Friends who insist they hate any champagne have been victims of a cheap bottle. Implore them to take two sips of a Champagne Cocktail; a properly made Champagne Cocktail should bring them around.

The Champagne Cocktail is a classic but there are lots of variations on a glass of Champagne. For sparkilig ideas visit our Champagne Based Cocktails feature...

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