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Champagne Cocktail
Updated: March 12, 2026
Published: July 26, 2021
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Champagne cocktails are classically prepared with Angostura bitters and a twist of lemon. Recently, I found Orange Angostura bitters (how exciting!) and made this classic drink using the orange bitters and an orange peel twist! It was just a nice twist on this classic drink. A classic with a twist!!! And if you like cocktails with a twist, be sure to try one of these:Â Mixed Citrus Mimosa or my White Russian.
Why This Champagne Cocktail Recipe Works
This classic Champagne Cocktail is proof that the simplest recipes are often the most elegant. With just a few ingredients, it transforms a glass of sparkling wine into a sophisticated drink that feels celebratory and timeless.
First, the sugar cube slowly dissolves in the champagne, creating a subtle sweetness that balances the dry sparkling wine without making the cocktail overly sugary. A few dashes of aromatic bitters add depth and complexity, giving the drink its signature warm spice notes.
The finishing touch—a twist of lemon peel—adds brightness and aroma that lifts the entire cocktail. When the citrus oils hit the bubbles, they enhance the fragrance and flavor of the drink.
Best of all, this cocktail requires no shaking, stirring, or special equipment. It’s built directly in the glass and comes together in under a minute, making it perfect for entertaining.
Key Takeaways from This Champagne Cocktail
• This is one of the easiest classic cocktails to make—only a few ingredients and less than a minute to prepare.
• The sugar cube and bitters combination creates the signature flavor that defines a traditional Champagne Cocktail.
• The drink is light, elegant, and celebratory, making it perfect for brunch, holidays, and special occasions.
• You can easily customize it by using different sparkling wines or citrus garnishes.
• It’s a great welcome drink for parties since you can assemble it quickly right in the glass.
Ingredients and What They Add to the Drink
Sugar Cube
The sugar cube adds a gentle sweetness that balances the dryness of the sparkling wine. As it dissolves, it also creates a beautiful stream of bubbles rising through the glass.
Angostura Bitters
Bitters bring warm spice notes such as clove, cinnamon, and herbs. Just a few drops add complexity and give the cocktail its classic flavor profile.
Champagne
Champagne provides the effervescence and crisp acidity that make this drink refreshing and elegant. A dry style like Brut works best.
Lemon Twist
A lemon peel garnish releases citrus oils over the drink, adding a bright aroma and fresh finish.
Ingredient Substitutions and Variations
This cocktail is very flexible and works beautifully with different sparkling wines.
Prosecco
Prosecco tends to be slightly fruitier and softer than Champagne. It makes the cocktail a little lighter and more approachable.
Crémant
Crémant is a wonderful French sparkling wine made outside the Champagne region. It often offers excellent value and similar elegance.
If you’re curious about the differences between these sparkling wines, I wrote a full guide: Prosecco vs. Crémant.
Other Optional Variations
• Swap the lemon twist for an orange twist for a slightly warmer citrus aroma.
• Add a maraschino cherry for a vintage presentation.
• Use a demerara sugar cube for a richer, caramel-like sweetness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Champagne Cocktails
A classic champagne cocktail contains just four simple ingredients: one sugar cube, 2-3 dashes of Angostura or orange bitters, a strip of orange peel (zest), and champagne or sparkling wine. This timeless recipe dates back to the 1860s and remains one of the most elegant cocktails you can serve.
Absolutely! Prosecco, cava, or any quality sparkling wine works beautifully in a champagne cocktail. In fact, many bartenders prefer using prosecco or cava since the cocktail’s other ingredients add flavor and complexity, making expensive champagne unnecessary. Save your vintage Dom Pérignon for sipping solo.
While Angostura bitters are traditional, orange bitters have become increasingly popular and complement the orange garnish perfectly. Peychaud’s bitters offer a lighter, more floral option. Feel free to experiment—even a dash of aromatic or grapefruit bitters can create interesting variations.
The rough, porous surface of the sugar cube provides nucleation sites where dissolved carbon dioxide in the champagne can escape and form bubbles. As the sugar slowly dissolves, it continuously releases these bubbles, creating that mesmerizing fountain effect rising through your glass throughout the entire drink.
Hold a 2-inch strip of orange peel (colored part only, no white pith) between your thumb and forefinger with the colored side facing down toward the drink. Quickly bend or twist it over the glass—you should see a fine mist of citrus oil spray across the surface. This releases the aromatic oils that enhance both the aroma and flavor.
A champagne cocktail uses a sugar cube, bitters, and orange zest, creating a sophisticated, bitters-forward drink. A mimosa combines champagne with orange juice in roughly equal parts, resulting in a sweeter, fruitier brunch beverage. The champagne cocktail is more complex and spirit-focused, while mimosas are lighter and more casual.
It’s best to assemble champagne cocktails just before serving to preserve the bubbles and fresh citrus aroma. However, you can prep your glasses in advance by placing the sugar cubes and adding the bitters up to an hour before guests arrive. Cover the glasses with plastic wrap, then add the orange zest and champagne right before serving.
A champagne flute is the traditional choice because its tall, narrow shape preserves carbonation and showcases the rising bubbles. However, a coupe glass (shallow champagne saucer) offers a more vintage, glamorous presentation and makes it easier to enjoy the aromatic orange oils. Both work beautifully—choose based on your aesthetic preference.
No, you don’t eat the sugar cube—it’s meant to dissolve slowly throughout the drink, gradually sweetening your champagne cocktail as you sip. The cube typically takes 10-15 minutes to fully dissolve, which means your last sip will be sweeter than your first, creating an evolving flavor experience.
Champagne cocktails pair wonderfully with salty, rich appetizers that complement their bittersweet profile. Try them with oysters, smoked salmon canapés, aged cheese, salted nuts, or caviar. The bitters and citrus also cut through fatty foods beautifully, making these cocktails excellent pre-dinner drinks that stimulate the appetite without overwhelming the palate.
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How to make a champagne cocktail
This classic cocktail comes together in just minutes with a few elegant touches that transform champagne into something truly special.
- Place one sugar cube in each glass. Use a chilled champagne flute or coupe glass for best results. I recently used highball glasses for a large party and the drink worked great in these too. The sugar cube will slowly dissolve as you sip, sweetening the cocktail gradually and creating a beautiful stream of bubbles rising from the bottom of the glass.
- Add a couple of dashes of the orange bitters. Aim the bitters directly onto the sugar cube—typically 2-3 dashes work well. The sugar cube will absorb the bitters, which will then release slowly into the champagne, infusing each sip with aromatic citrus notes.
- Rub a zest strip around the rim of the glass and twist the orange zest over the glass and drop into the glass. Cut a strip of fresh orange peel, about 2 inches long, avoiding the bitter white pith. Gently rub the colored side around the rim to coat it with the essential oils. Then, hold the zest over the glass and give it a good twist to express the oils into the drink—you should see a fine mist of citrus oil spray across the surface. Drop the twisted zest into the glass as a beautiful garnish.
- Top with champagne and enjoy! Pour your chilled champagne (or quality sparkling wine) slowly down the side of the glass to preserve the bubbles. Fill to just below the rim. Serve immediately and savor this timeless cocktail.
How and When to Serve a Champagne Cocktail
A Champagne Cocktail is one of the most versatile celebratory drinks you can serve.
Perfect for Brunch
The light bubbles and gentle sweetness make it ideal alongside brunch dishes like quiche, puff pastry tarts, or Eggs Benedict.
Great for Celebrations
This drink instantly signals celebration and works beautifully for:
• Oscar Watch Parties
• Birthdays
• Anniversaries
• Holiday gatherings
• Engagement parties
• New Year’s Eve
As a Welcome Drink
Because it’s so quick to assemble, Champagne Cocktails are also perfect as a welcome drink for guests when they arrive.
Simply drop the sugar cube in the glass, add bitters, pour the sparkling wine, and garnish. Within seconds you have a cocktail that looks impressive and tastes elegant.
If you enjoyed this drink, please leave a comment and review below…I’d love to hear from you. Looking for other sparkling wine cocktails? Try some of these:
Champagne Cocktail
A simple and elegant cocktail perfect for holidays and brunch.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 Bottle of Quality Champagne
- 6 Sugar cubes
- 6 Strips of Orange zest
- Orange bitters
Instructions
- Place one sugar cube in each glass. Add a couple of dashes of the orange bitters.
- Rub a zest strip around the rim of the glass and twist the orange zest over the glass and drop into the glass.
- Top with champagne and enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Meet Diane
Hi! I’m Diane. I started this site as a passion project. I love to cook, entertain, travel and laugh. (Who doesn’t love a good laugh?) Of course, being from New York, sarcasm rules!
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