Sparkling wine cocktails, in general, mix sparkling wine—usually Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, or other regional varieties—with spirits and mixers to craft bubbly drinks that are often festive and sophisticated. These cocktails vary from light and refreshing to more decadent, dessert-style beverages.
The history of Sparkling Wine Cocktails is fascinating and connected to the rise of sparkling wine. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Champagne production was mostly controlled by the French monarchy. Royal courts were big consumers of Champagne, and it became a symbol of wealth and status. At first, Champagne was served simply with water to dilute its strength. Over time, the addition of sugar and other ingredients started to develop.
This gave rise to the practice of “topping,” adding Champagne to juice and eventually Liqueurs. This technique was far from new, as the ancient Greeks and Romans often added sweet concoctions and spices to wine to make it more palatable. In this case, the wine, Champagne, was very agreeable, so topping was done to create a unique drink. Before long, the Kir Royale Emerges. The simple marriage of Champagne and Crème de Cassis was an instant classic.
The simplest sparkling wine cocktail imaginable is the Spritz. We feature the world-famous Aperol Spritz below, but a Spritz can be made with any Liqueur or Aperitif mixed with sparkling wine and possibly soda.
Choosing the Right Sparkling Wine for Your Sparkling Wine Cocktails
Not all sparkling wines are the same. There are several distinct types of sparkling wines, but the two major categories are the traditional or classic method (aka the Champagne method) and the bulk-to-tank method (aka the Charmat method). The most famous example is Prosecco. In the traditional method, sparkling wine acquires its bubbles through a second fermentation in the bottle. With the Charmat method, a tank of finished wine is pressurized with CO2 added — much like commercial beer. To dive deeper, see our sparkling wine primer.
Choosing the right sparkling wine for the cocktail was as important as choosing the right sauce for the pasta, vice versa. A French 75 and a Kir Royale absolutely need a classic method bubbly like Champagne, Franciacorta, or many types of Crémant. An Aperol Spritz needs the soft, fruity flavors of Prosecco to let the Aperol shine.
A Bellini is traditionally made with Prosecco, but many posh bars in Venice serve it with Champagne or the more local Trento DOC. The Black Velvet, with its pronounced Stout influence, seems like a drink that could use any sparkling wine, but it’s wrecked with Prosecco and made delicious with Cava.
There is a proper tool for every job and a proper sparkling wine for every sparkling wine cocktail. For this reason, we will always suggest, and sometimes even advocate, a particular style in our cocktail recipes. I invite you to share your suggestions in the comments below.
BevX’s Eight Indispensable Sparkling Wine Cocktails
Bellini — The Bellini is a very popular cocktail that is sadly most often done poorly. It’s hard to believe that a two-ingredient drink can go wrong, but it does! We show you how to ace it every time… — Get the Recipe
Kir Royale — A classic Champagne cocktail and the Godfather of all sparkling wine cocktails. — Get the Recipe
Aperol Spritz — The Aperol Spritz is a straightforward, mildly bitter-sweet cocktail that has come to represent Italian aperitivo traditions. It’s an Aperitivo starter no matter the location and the weather… — Get the Recipe
French 75 — Classic version — The unique name is said to be homage to the French 75mm artillery piece used with great regularity in the First World War. When made properly, this drink cannot be beat… — Get the Recipe
Sean’s Champagne Cocktail — If you’re looking to spark a bit of romance or just trying to get out of the doghouse, this simple yet exotic cocktail is just what the doctor ordered. — Get the Recipe
Black Velvet — We love beer cocktails, and we really love tasty, simple cocktails. When Dry Stout and sparkling wine meet, something unexpected happens… — Get the Recipe
Campo de’ Fiori — I created this drink years ago when pressed to mix up an original drink for Valentine’s Day. I used the classic French 75 as the inspiration and gave it an Italian flavor with Campari and Lambrusco. I named it after a place in Rome that elevates my mood just by thinking about walking along the basalt paving… — Get the Recipe
Airmail Cocktail — The Airmail cocktail was created in the US or potentially Cuba in the late days of Prohibition. It’s one-part French 75 and one-part Daiquiri… — Get the Recipe
If you wish to explore cocktails further, Sean Ludford’s book, Be A Beverage Expert (BABE), dives into the pillars of cocktail recipes and cocktail making. Once you unlock the secrets, you will never approach cocktail making the same way. Get a copy of BABE at Amazon