Our "Best of Bubbly" Favorite Champagne Cocktails
"I only drink Champagne on two occasions, when I am in love and when I am not." -Coco Chanel
I’m so excited for today’s blog! All of my close friends know very well my love for champagne. It's such a classy, fun, and versatile beverage. I just feel like it takes everything up a notch and pairs well with any occasion. However, if you have been paying attention, you probably also know that I’m a big fan of coloring outside the lines a bit. I pride myself in being an adventurer and I love to put my spin on things. That being said, I wanted to share with you a handful of my favorite cocktails with a twist! You can look forward to lots of herbs and fun glass rims. Also, none of these drinks are too sweet, because I love a good tart, spicy, or smoky cocktail.
Make sure you take note of the recommended bottles to use with each recipe too. I've suggested some of my favorites. I love a great glass of real champagne, but can also thoroughly enjoy a less expensive Cava from Trader Joe’s. Dom Perignon, for example, is overrated, so my rule of thumb is to go with what you love. It’s never a bad time to expand your collection of bubbly!
To start off, my signature drink:
ASHLEE'S FRENCH 75
This is my signature drink because it's a classic that is known by bartenders all over the world. It's what I'm drinking in this photo with my boyfriend on his birthday! I put my own twist on it by leaving out the simple syrup that comes in a traditional French 75. What remains is a crisp, tart, refreshing drink that works for any occasion. When making this drink I recommend using Hendrick's Gin and Veuve Clicquot’s Brut Champagne.
You'll want to shake 1 oz gin and .5 oz lemon juice over ice, pour into a flute and top with 3 oz of champagne. Garnish with a lemon twist and enjoy!
My favorite mid afternoon pick me up:
RASPBERRY & CUBAN OREGANO SPRITZER
This spritzer is so refreshing and perfect for poolside Florida afternoons. I love making it with the Cuban oregano from my garden. Its pink color makes it perfect for Valentine's Day too! I recommend using Mumm Napa’s Brut Rosé (pictured on the right.) It's perfect for this drink. I've visited their winery in California (pictured below) and it was so stunning. I definitely recommend a stop there if you're in the area.
Muddle your raspberries and Cuban oregano in a flute, top with equal parts sparkling rosé and sparkling water and enjoy!
For a Taco Tuesday remix:
SMOKY SPICY SPARKLING MARGARITAS
This one is an exciting twist on an old favorite. It's perfect for taco night or for any other lively, fun occasion. I recommend using a mezcal, because it's smokier than a traditional tequila, and M. Chavellier’s Brut Cava from Trader Joe's (hello, bargain) for bubbly.
For these you'll need equal parts mezcal, cava, and OJ or orange liqueur. Make sure to rim your glass with Tajin and toss in lots of lime juice and chopped jalapenos as well. YUM!
Perfect for a cute lunch with friends:
STRAWBERRY BASIL FIZZ
This is another one that I love because I can make it with ingredients from my garden. The red color with green garnishes makes it a perfect holiday drink for Christmas or Valentine's Day. I suggest Chandon’s Sparkling Red for this and, surprise, I've been to this winery too! (Is it becoming obvious how much I love Napa, and especially the wineries that specialize in bubbles?!)
Muddle strawberries and basil in your glass, add your chilled sparkling red, garnish with more basil and strawberries if desired and enjoy!
Having a boozy brunch for a group? This punch is sure to be a crowd pleaser:
PINEAPPLE PROSECCO PUNCH
This is a great one to make when you're serving a crowd. It's always a big hit on beach days, at BBQ's, or on a picnic. And it's a great one to be able to enjoy all day because of how light it is. I recommend using Bottega Oro Prosecco (check out the bottle below, it's perfectly on-brand with Anuket!).
It's easy to make in any quantity as it's simply equal parts prosecco and sparkling water, with as much or as little pineapple juice as you'd like to adjust for sweetness. And if you're really looking for a party, throw in some coconut liqueur! Be sure to have fresh fruit slices available as a garnish.
We can’t name the best of bubbly without including a mimosa! Elevate your taste buds with a delightful pairing of citrus and rosemary:
ROSEMARY MIMOSA
I couldn't leave a mimosa out of this list, but of course I had to also switch it up a little from the traditional recipe. For this version I suggest using J. J. Vincent Crémant de Bourgogne Brut because it has notes of orange zest. In the picture here, I'm enjoying a mimosa while getting treated to a gorgeous braid at my favorite local blow dry bar Sip n Dry.
Pour your glass of champagne, splash your favorite OJ on top, and throw in a sprig of rosemary for a savory enhancement that pairs wonderfully with citrus!
And finally the cocktail that is perfect “mysterious, fancy, auntie” vibes:
PROSECCO PALOMA
Traditional Palomas can be made a couple of ways. I most prefer the recipes that call for fresh grapefruit juice. For the tequila, because of its light and fruity profile, I recommend Tequila Blanco Corralejo. For my bubbly spin, I recommend using Stellina di Notte Prosecco (pictured to the left.)
All you'll need is equal parts tequila, grapefruit juice, and prosecco. Squeeze in as much or as little lime juice as you'd like. Sprinkle a dash of cayenne on top for some added spice. Enjoy!
As an added bonus, I'd also like to recommend not a cocktail but the best glass of sparkling wine in the world. Don't believe me? Check it out here. It even beat out all the French champagnes! You could enjoy this alone or have it alongside a charcuterie board with your favorite cheeses and treats. The bottle is from House of Arras in Tasmania and is called EJ Carr Late Disgorged 2004. It's quite a spend at $266 a bottle but it's on my bucket list and I LOVED the brut I tried from the same winery (pictured below.) That bottle is called House of Arras Brut Elite NV, Tasmania and is quite a bit more affordable at $39 a bottle. I was lucky enough to enjoy some while visiting Uluru in Australia during the same backpacking trip that brought me to Egypt and the discovery of papyrus oil.
As unpredictable as life can be, I prefer to take every opportunity to celebrate that I can. My hope is that you’ll incorporate these drinks into some of your special moments in the future, and remember that both you and your life are worth celebrating.
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Cheers,
Ashlee
Anuket Owner
