Food & Drink

5 Great Champagne Cocktails to Have Out in Seattle

Bubbly cocktails perfect for ringing in the new year

By Seattle Mag December 29, 2015

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It’s the end of the year, which is also the bubbliest time of the year, thanks to the rivers of Champagne and sparkling wine that are being imbibed out and at home.

But while I would never turn down a glass of Champagne, I also think if you really want to send your seasonal fun into higher levels of effervescence, a Champagne or sparkling wine cocktail does it. There’s just something so elegant and individual about a good bubbly cocktail. With that, below are five ideas for sparkling wine cocktails to try while you’re out in Seattle, plus an extra recipe for one to have at home.

No Milk, But Honey, The Sexton: Crafted by Sexton manager and bar star Bridget Maloney, this frizzante hit brings together Maker’s Mark bourbon, a house honey ginger syrup (which is made, as Maloney was nice enough to let us know, by mixing two cups honey, one cup water, and one cup strained freshly juiced ginger, all heated over a low simmer in a pot until infused together), lemon juice, Scrappy’s Cardamom bitters and sparkling wine. And garnished with candied ginger!

Long Hot Summer, Heyday: Sometimes it’s nice during the fun – but often a little damp and chilly – holiday season to be reminded of those sunnier days that aren’t too far away. This sparkler at Heyday does just that thanks to its refreshing combination of tequila, fresh grapefruit juice, Italian summertime hit Aperol and Italian sparkling wine Prosecco.

Diamond Age, Liberty: Originally created by Andrew Dalan, this bubbly number at the Capitol Hill bar contains vodka, fresh lemon juice, Peychaud’s bitters, sparkling wine and Amerena cherry (which is an Italian cherry, known for its rich taste, a little bitter, a little sweet, and grown in the Bologna and Modena regions).

Rhu the Day, Teacher’s Lounge: Want to take your sparkling cocktail drinking to school, and maybe get your holidays from a B to an A+? Then head up to the Teacher’s Lounge for this effervescent mix, which combines sparkling wine with Meletti amaro (one of the Italian amari family, made in the Mache region of Italy, and containing an array of herbs and spices) and Rhubarb bitters.

Kory Knows, Rocco’s: With gin, Elderflower liqueur, lemon, cucumber and sparkling wine, this is an aromatic and botanical number that’ll add a little of the gardens (fruit, flower, and vegetable) to your enchanted evening. As well as the necessary bubbles.

Black Pearl (make at home): Staying in for a little seasonal good times this year, and want a signature sparkling drink for your party? This sounds a little awkward on the ingredient list at first. But trust me, it’s yummy and will impress the guests. This is a slightly modified version of a recipe in Good Spirits.

Ingredients

Cracked ice

1 ounce Cognac

1 ounce Seattle Distilling Company Coffee Liqueur

Chilled Champagne or sparkling wine

Cherry, for garnish 

1. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with cracked ice. Add the Cognac and coffee liqueur. Stir well.

2. Strain the mix into a flute or wine glass. Top with Champagne. Garnish with a cherry.

 

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