Champagne Cocktails

From Gin to Whiskey, Champagne Pairs Beautifully in Cocktails By Justin Murray

What is it about champagne that everyone loves so much? The bubbles, sure, but also people are just happy when they’re drinking it (spoiler alert, champagne isn’t only for special occasions!)

Now that summer is here, it’s the perfect time to enjoy champagne cocktails. A high-quality champagne pairs beautifully with a wide variety of spirits – there’s the venerable French 75 (gin), the Seelbach (whiskey), the Air Mail (rum), the Sbagliato (Campari), and of course the Kir Royale (Chambord). The most important consideration when crafting a champagne cocktail is to choose a zero-dosage champagne, which means no sugar has been added. For example, Beau Joie is a crisp and clean Brut Champagne that achieves a perfect level of sweetness naturally derived from the grapes. (Also, Beau Joie bottles are fully encased in a copper suit of armor, which is not only eye-catching when pouring it, but could prove to be of real benefit too as recent reports say that copper neutralizes viruses more quickly.)

But why stick to only the classic champagne cocktails? Here are three easy-to-prepare unique recipes combining spirits and the king of sparkling wine:

BEAU JOIE APPLE BUBBLY 4 oz. BEAU JOIE Champagne 1 oz. apple brandy 1 oz. fresh apple cider Garnish with a thin slice of apple.

BOURBON & BEAU 3 oz. BEAU JOIE Champagne 1 oz. bourbon .75 oz. lemon juice .5 oz. pomegranate puree .25 oz. simple syrup Garnish with a lemon twist Combine all ingredients except BEAU JOIE in a shaker with ice. Shake to combine and chill. Strain into a flute and top with BEAU JOIE. Garnish with lemon twist.

BEAU ROYALE 3 oz. BEAU JOIE Champagne 1 oz. gin .5 oz. simple syrup .5 oz. lemon juice 2 barspoons of cranberry preserves 1 dash of angostura bitters Garnish with sprig of rosemary Combine all ingredients except champagne in a shaker with ice. Shake to combine and chill. Strain into a coupe and top with champagne. Garnish with rosemary.