For most of the country, the end of summer feels like day after day of sweltering heat and intense, blistering sunlight. You may have no real way to guarantee that you won’t end your day with a sun burn, but you can definitely find a tasty, refreshing cocktail to beat the heat. Especially if the cocktail includes champagne.
Everyone likes a reason to celebrate and nothing says “celebration” like a glass of champagne. The sparkling wine from the Champagne region of France is also the perfect ingredient in a fresh, summer cocktail. Champagne mixes well with a large variety of summery flavors including: pear, ginger, lemon, raspberry, strawberry, cranberry, vanilla, cherry, lime and coriander.
Here are some of the most interesting, fresh, flavorful champagne cocktails from all over the United States:
My Kinda Town
Stetsons Modern Steak & Sushi in Chicago, Illinois
Chambord, Champagne, Cranberry, Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Bean
- 1.25 oz. Chambord
- 1 oz of cranberry juice
- 1 oz of vanilla paste
- Top off with Champagne
TC75
Firelake GrillHouse & Cocktail Bar in Minneapolis, Minnesota
- 1 oz gin (beefeater 24)
- ¾ oz Yum berry Thatcher’s Liqueur
- ¼ oz squeezed lemon
- Fill with sparkling wine
Glassware: Champagne flute
Garnish: lemon twist
Procedure: Build
Sin-Sation
Barton G: The Restaurant in Miami, Florida
- Nitrogenized Vanilla Vodka and Rose Petal Nectar
- Topped with Champagne
- Served with a Vanilla Vodka and Rose Petal Nectar Pop
The Le Logis 75
Treadsack in Houston, Texas
By Bar Director Leslie Ross
Ingredients
- 2 oz Grey Goose VX
- .75 oz Clarified Meyer Lemon Juice
- .5 oz Lavender Simple Syrup
- Ruinart Rose Champagne
Directions
Shake vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Strain. Top with Rose Champagne. Serve up in a chilled Snifter.
The Trendsetter
JW Marriot Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, California
- 1oz Absolut Hibyskus
- 2 drops of Cherry Bitters
- Perrier Jouet Nuit Blanc Rose’
- Edible Diamonds
- Gently Stirred
Violette Femme
Urban Farmer Steakhouse in Portland, Oregon
- 1oz Lillet
- .5 oz Rothman & Winter Crème de Violette
- 2 dashes Lime Bitters
- 4 oz Prosecco
Garnish: Orange Twist
Green Coriander and Citrus Champagne
Orchids at Palm Court in Cincinnati, Ohio
- 2T(about 30)Green coriander seeds
- 1/2 oz Avion Tequila
- 1 ea lime juiced
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 1 ea lime twist
- 1 ea citrus coriander blossom (from the Chefs Garden)
- Champagne as needed
Preparation: In a mixing glass beaker, muddle the coriander seeds. Add the tequila, lime juice, simple syrup and ice. Stir until well chilled. Strain into a champagne flute and top with champagne. Garnish with a lime twist and citrus coriander blossom.
