Drink recipe · 1 cocktail
Champagne Cocktail
Researched · Researched formulation
IBA Champagne Cocktail: sugar cube, Angostura, 10 ml cognac, 90 ml Champagne. Built in the flute. Researched specification.
By DrinkKnird · November 15, 2026
Next: holiday cocktails · what can I make · scale with the batch calculator · bar tools guide
The Champagne Cocktail is an IBA Contemporary Classic: a bitters-soaked sugar cube, a little cognac, and cold Champagne. Quieter than a French 75—built in the glass for Christmas Eve or New Year's.
DrinkKnird follows the IBA list proportions: 1 sugar cube, 2 dashes Angostura, 10 ml cognac, 90 ml chilled Champagne, with optional drops of Grand Marnier. Researched specification—not kitchen-tested at DrinkKnird.
See also [French 75](/french-75) and [holiday cocktails](/holiday-cocktails).
- Spirit
- cognac
- Glass
- Champagne flute
- Garnish
- orange zest and optional maraschino cherry
- Alcohol
- alcoholic
Contains alcohol. Intended for adults of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly.
Recipe
Drink recipe
Yield: 1 cocktail
Original yield: 1 cocktail
Scales ingredient amounts only. Temperatures, times, ratios, and instruction text stay as written. Saved and printed copies keep the original recipe amounts.
Ingredients
- 1 sugar cube
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1/3 ounce (10 ml) cognac
- 3 ounces (90 ml) chilled Champagne
- Optional: a few drops Grand Marnier
- Orange twist, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Place the sugar cube in a chilled Champagne flute. Dash bitters onto the cube.
- Add cognac (and optional Grand Marnier).
- Top slowly with chilled Champagne. Garnish with an orange twist if desired. Do not stir hard—let the cube dissolve as you drink.
Make-ahead
- Bitters-soaked cubes can sit briefly; pour Champagne only at serve.
Notes
- Use the driest sparkling wine you enjoy if Champagne is unavailable.
- Prep cubes on a tray for a party; add wine to order.
Why this recipe works
Bitters perfume the sugar; cognac adds weight; sparkling wine finishes without shaking away bubbles.
troubleshooting
Too sweet: use a smaller cube or drier wine. Flat: wine was warm.
Recipe sources & development
Researched formulation
IBA Contemporary Classics measures with ounce equivalents.
Why this formulation: IBA provides a public, citable build.
Other approaches: Some bars skip cognac; IBA includes 10 ml cognac.
Adaptation credit: International Bartenders Association Champagne Cocktail specification
Developed from published sources; not yet kitchen-tested by DrinkKnird.
- Champagne Cocktail — International Bartenders Association · researched 2026-11-15
Sugar cube, Angostura, cognac, Champagne; optional Grand Marnier
Related reading
Holiday Recipes
Sparkling Wine Buying Guide (Champagne, Cava, Prosecco)
Buy sparkling wine with confidence: Champagne vs Cava vs Prosecco, Brut vs Extra Dry, chill, and cocktail use for holidays.
Holiday Recipes
Christmas Brunch Menu (Make-Ahead Friendly)
Christmas brunch menu: sugar cookies, ham or prime rib, French 75, Champagne Cocktail, mocktails, and make-ahead tips.
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