Champagne cocktails are a fun way to take your cocktail game to the next level. They’re fun, festive, and fancy, and perfect for a romantic night in, a refreshing day in the sun, or a party.
When most people think of champagne, they think of mimosas. But what if I told you that mimosas are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to champagne cocktails?
No disrespect to mimosas, which are great, but there are so many incredible champagne cocktails that go beyond just pouring some orange juice and champagne into a glass. So let’s make some of them!
I’ve compiled a list of 11 of my favorite champagne cocktails. Some of them are traditional cocktails that you’ve heard of, taken to a new level with the addition of champagne. Some of them are flavor combinations you would never think to try … but trust me, they work! And all of them are delicious. You’ve got to try them out.
Why Make Champagne Cocktails?
I don’t think anyone ever needs an excuse to make a cocktail, but champagne cocktails aren’t the most common things in the world. So why make them? Here are a few reasons.
- They’re fun. Have you ever noticed how many cocktails have seltzer, club soda, tonic water, or soda in them? That’s because drinks with bubbles are fun! And they’re a lot more fun when those bubbles are alcoholic and delicious, which champagne is.
- They’re fancy. Adding champagne to a cocktail is an easy way to instantly make any drink more fancy. I mean, think about mimosas! They’re just humble OJ with champagne on top … but that champagne turns a staple breakfast drink into a fancy brunch cocktail. It’s the same thing with all 11 recipes on this list. They all feel fancy!
- They’re impressive. Champagne cocktails are fairly uncommon, so they’re a good way to impress people. Having a little party? Serve a champagne cocktail to everyone and watch the reactions from your guests!
- They’re easy. Champagne is like a three-for-one cheat code with cocktails. It’s sweet, bitter, and bubbly. Most of these recipes are super easy to make, and don’t have many ingredients … in part because of how much work the champagne does!
What’s the Difference Between Champagne and Prosecco?
Technically, there’s only one difference between champagne and prosecco: where the wine is made. They’re both sparkling wines, but all champagne is made in the Champagne region of France, while prosecco can be made in other places (it’s usually made in a certain region in Italy, though).
Prosecco is usually a little bit more fruity, while champagne is a bit more floral, citrusy, and yeasty. Prosecco is also usually a bit cheaper than champagne.
When it comes to cocktails, the two can be used interchangeably. You can always use champagne in a cocktail recipe that calls for prosecco, and vice versa.
11 Champagne Cocktails You Have to Try
These 11 champagne cocktails are fun, festive, and perfect for almost any occasion. They're easy to make, and way better a traditional cocktail!
Everyone’s familiar with the classic mimosa, but this is the perfect variation for the fall or winter. Not only does it mix apple cider with champagne, but it also includes apple liquor. A cinnamon-sugar rim ties the autumnal theme together, and makes for an irresistible cocktail.
This is one of the quintessential cocktails for a hot day. It’s so refreshing, and also bursting with flavor. Aperol is a bitter liquor with a little bit of an orange flavor to it. It can be overpowering to some people when drunk straight, but champagne really mellows it out perfectly. A little bubbly water on top keeps the drink from being too strong, so you can drink them all day long.
This cocktail won’t physically transport you to an island, but it’s about as close as you’ll get. Pineapple and cranberry juices make for a refreshing, tropical flavor, and a little amaretto adds richness and a nutty flavor. Pull up a law chair and open up a beach umbrella!
I’m a big fan of adding champagne to other cocktails to make them that much better. And that’s really all this recipe is. Don’t worry, the champagne doesn’t take the place of the vodka in a moscow mule … it’s just in addition to it! One of the most iconic cocktails ever, but with champagne added to it. What’s not to love?
This is one of my favorite cocktails to make around the holidays. Pomegranate is great all through the year (it’s so refreshing!) but it feels extra festive. This recipe has pomegranate seeds and pomegranate liquor, with some orange liquor to add another layer of flavor, and some extra sweetness.
I’m a big fan of mimosa variations. Sure, champagne and OJ is a classic combination, but champagne and other juices are often even better. This mimosa is taken to a whole new level though, because it not only uses blood orange juice, but also tequila!
You might not think of whiskey and champagne as being best buds, but they go together perfectly in this recipe, especially since it’s apple whiskey. Cranberry juice adds the perfect touch of sweetness and tartness, while a little fresh rosemary takes this cocktail to the next level.
Is there anything better than a margarita? Surprisingly, the answer is yes! A champagne margarita! Champagne, plus a little pineapple juice to balance it out, is added to a traditional margarita to make the most refreshing and indulgent cocktail you could possibly imagine.
This is my go-to cocktail recipe when I need to make something fancy. It has just three ingredients: champagne, whiskey, and elderflower liquor. It tastes like something a bar would charge you $20 for, but it only takes a minute to make!
How do you take a traditional mimosa to the next level for the holidays? It’s simple. You add some amaretto and some grenadine, giving the mimosa a whole new array of flavors (and colors!). This is my cocktail of choice on Christmas morning, and it should be yours, too!
This is a cocktail that’s fun to make and fun to drink. And it’s pretty fancy, too! It uses homemade apple and lemon puree, which is mixed with bourbon and topped with champagne. It’s a lot of flavors, and they work together perfectly.
