22 Cocktails To Try If You Like Drinking Champagne

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The mere "pop" of a Champagne bottle usually indicates a celebration and is often a marker of triumphant success. In fact, this effervescent spirit has upheld its glamorous essence since 496 A.D. Vast Champagne vineyards in France have always supplied overflowing amounts of bubbles for royal banquets that noble kings and queens attended. Fast-forward to the 12th century and beyond, and "champ" was used to toast the outcomes of revolutions and signings of treaties, not to mention grand royal weddings. Many define it as "the drink of unity," harmoniously coalescing large crowds for various occasions. Even acclaimed old Hollywood stars such as Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe developed an unwavering passion for the sparkling drink, which typically exudes subtle apple, pear, and citrus aromas.

Now, it's relatively safe to assume that Champagne will always remain a sort of jubilant, ceremonial drink. It's a true delight to drink on its own. However, mixologists have pushed the boundaries with Champagne simply due to its crisp, dry palate, and have created many cocktails around it. Many of us won't turn down a classic orange juice mimosa at a cheery Sunday brunch, but don't be fooled — the universe of champagne cocktails extends well beyond this. If you enjoy a good glass of bubbly, here are 12 cocktails we're positive you'll fancy.

If you prefer delicate, invigorating cocktails that exude floral notes, then the St-Germain Champagne Cocktail is for you. It features one of the most luxurious liquors available, which is also recognized as every "bartender's ketchup" — French elderflower. One sip is a sweet nod to springtime and fresh floral blooms. In fact, a whole bottle of elderflower liqueur usually contains up to 1,000 blossoms.

As for the St-Germain cocktail itself, it's a simple blend of dry Champagne, sweet St-Germain, and club soda, usually topped with an elegant lemon peel twist. The combination of these specific ingredients is very similar to the popular Aperol Spritz, which converges a low-ABV liqueur with a bubbly drink. Many say that the dichotomy between the luscious elderflower liqueur and dry Champagne makes for a perfectly balanced cocktail, specifically enjoyable outside on the porch during the springtime or warmer summer months.

It's no secret that the world of mimosas is now a bit more experimental. Instead of the traditional orange juice, we're oftentimes not surprised to see grapefruit, guava, and cranberry alternatives presented in a comprehensive mimosa flight. However, the land of mimosa options doesn't end there. Enter the Apple Cider Mimosa. This unorthodox play on the traditional mimosa is nuanced and nostalgic in flavor, as the dryness of the Champagne stabilizes the sweetness from the apple cider and the celebratory cinnamon-sugar rim.

To prepare, all you need to do is douse your Champagne flute rim in a cinnamon-sugar mixture and pour a bit of brandy, dry Champagne, and apple cider into each glass. Lastly, garnish with a fresh apple slice. To achieve a distinctly homemade feel, you can attempt to make your own cider, but we can't guarantee a quick turnaround time.

Unlike other party-centric Champagne cocktails, this one feels more intimate and is best consumed in a smaller gathering around the fireplace. The warm, soothing spices in tandem with Champagne bubbles makes this cocktail a fall or winter essential.

This precisely fizzy drink resembles the "high-society" times, and it's a classic cocktail that's making a comeback. Believe it or not, millennials are ordering more classic Champagne cocktails now, most likely due to its refined appeal in quaint social settings. Visually, it's a piece of art, and yet, so simple to concoct. The classic recipe involves extra bubbly, chilled Champagne, Angostura bitters, and sugar. Traditionally, it's garnished with a lemon twist, a zap of bourbon, or an optional maraschino cherry.

As far as what type of Champagne to use, it's recommended to opt for a dryer bottle to balance the added sugar's sweetness. When it comes to taste, you'll most likely pick up a rare type of tart sweetness that is most definitely revitalizing. Like most other Champagne cocktails, this one should be consumed in a classic glass flute for the most optimal drinking experience.

This deliciously milky cocktail is unlike any other Champagne beverage out there, and that's because the great Ernest Hemingway conceptualized it. Death in the Afternoon is a product of wild imagination and a nod to the classic 1935 cocktail book, "So Red the Nose, or Breath in the Afternoon." So how did it all begin? Well, after sipping on smooth absinthe one day in France, Hemingway created this two-ingredient cocktail that might be best consumed on Halloween due to its spooky, green body.

To assemble, pour a bit of absinthe into a glass and slowly pour in chilled Champagne until the consistency becomes visibly milky. Quick chemistry 101 — the compounds of the absinthe instantly crowd together when alcohol dilutes it, which automatically ignites a cloudy and opaque consistency! So if you decide to drink a Death in the Afternoon, we suggest drinking it nice and slow on a day without concrete plans (hence the name).

If you're in the mood to elevate the classic Champagne cocktail to accentuate the intrinsic essence of Champagne, then pick up a bottle of Bérèche et Fils Les Beaux Regards Champagne to create the bona fide Bérèche You, created by Jim Meehan at Tasting Table. Meehan describes this chardonnay-centric Champagne as a fruit-forward blend with notes of green apple, apricot, and lemon that has a hint of ginger spice.

All you need is Laird's Apple Brandy, fresh lemon juice, raw honey syrup, Bérèche et Fils Les Beaux, and a bit of grated nutmeg to assemble this wondrous potion of intense flavor. Again, the ingredients in this cocktail are intentional and meant to amplify this Champagne's natural flavors, and certainly will impress any mixologist or sommelier. Although it's slightly sweet from the apple brandy, a certain warmth to this festive cocktail makes it optimal for drinking during the fall or winter months.

American soldiers first conceptualized this potent blend of bold liqueurs during World War ll in France. When the Germans retreated, the Americans heard through the grapevine that there was a load of top-shelf abandoned booze secretly stored in a cave. What they stumbled upon were the key ingredients used to neatly construct one of the fieriest Champagne cocktails in our roundup: the B2C2. The B2 represents brandy (cognac) and Benedictine. The C2 stands for the Cointreau and Brut Champagne, adding up to be an intrepid blend. It's definitely not meant for the tender-hearted. 

Instead of pouring it into a classic flute, the traditional B2C2 should be sipped in an old-fashioned glass — and the keyword here is "sipped." Nonetheless, this bold and rich cocktail that embodies a masculine quintessence makes a calming nightcap, especially in intimate settings. We're sure the B2C2 will quickly warm you up and obliterate any chill on a winter night.

In recent years, the spritz has become the go-to cocktail for brunch, lunch, or an afternoon soirée. There are tons of varieties, but the granddaddy of them all is the original Aperol Spritz. It's the bright orange drink that's light, bubbly, and has a low ABV, making it the perfect alcoholic choice for lounging by the pool. 

Made up of just three ingredients, this sweet and slightly bitter apéritif has a bright, citrusy zing thanks to a couple of ounces of Aperol, its base spirit. Not sure if you're an apéritif fan? Aperol is a great introduction to this bitter world since it's the less acrid cousin of that other popular Italian aperitivo, Campari. 

Not only is this a stunning cocktail, but it's also easy to imbibe and effortless to make. No shaker or jigger is necessary since the whole cocktail can be built in an ice-filled goblet. While there are specific measurements, this is one of those drinks that can be eyeballed and still taste great. Garnish with a slice of orange, then relax and float away on all those bubbles.

Tiki drinks always make us think of sandy beaches and tropical locales thanks to the ounces and ounces of dark and light rum combined with complex mixtures of sweet and sour juices. They're brightly colored, come with stunning flower garnishes, usually pack a punch, and more often than not have several ingredients. In other words, they're complicated cocktails that are delightful to drink but a pain to create ... unless you're talking about the Air Mail.

Not often included in tiki tomes because of its simplicity and the fact that it's usually served in a coupe or flute, the Air Mail actually should be considered part of the tiki world. After all, it's got everything most of those classic tropical cocktails do: rum, lime juice, syrup, and even a fun garnish. Sounds a little like a mojito, doesn't it? But you know what takes this vintage cocktail to elevations far above that other classic? It replaces the soda with the significantly fancier Champagne. The final result is a strong, sophisticated drink that's way more interesting than your typical mojito or vodka soda, especially with a paper airplane clipped to the rim.

Keeping with the royal theme, this next Champagne cocktail was also created to commemorate a royal occasion. Only this one was much more festive. This time around, the royal family was celebrating a wedding rather than mourning an unexpected death. 

Created in 1950 for Queen Elizabeth's first cousin, Margaret Rhodes, this Champagne cocktail has all the earmarks of a classy drink. Not only is it made with Champagne, which is the liquor of choice when it comes to special celebrations, but it also includes vodka, lime juice, bitters, and not one, but two different kinds of orange liqueur. All that liquor means that this is a tipple meant to be sipped at weddings, awards shows, and anniversaries. 

A citrus-forward cocktail, the Queen's Cousin is a nice alternative to that other orange-heavy Champagne drink, the mimosa. But be warned — because this tipple is mostly liquor, it's going to pack a much stronger punch than the popular brunch favorite.

We've all heard of the classic French 75. You know, that gin and Champagne cocktail made with lemon juice and a little sugar? It's a delicious drink that's perfect for spring, summer, and the occasional celebration. While the classic is terrific, if you want to turn this drink into a show-stopping stunner, make it purple. How do you turn the translucent cocktail into something the Easter Bunny would be proud of without using food coloring? Simply replace the classic crystal clear gin with Empress 1908.

Empress 1908 is that stunning floral gin that's making its mark in the cocktail world, not just because of its flavor but because of its deep indigo color. Like most gins out there, Empress is made with juniper berries. But what puts Empress in a class by itself is that the distillers added butterfly pea blossom to its list of botanicals which not only gives the gin an earthy quality but also imbues it with that beautiful color. A color that changes depending on what other ingredients are added to the liquor. 

If you simply use ice or soda, the gin turns a brilliant blue, but add tonic or citrus and you get a lovely lavender. It's the citrus in the French 75 that turns this drink that pretty purple and makes it a definite winner for any occasion.

Who doesn't love ice cream? On a warm day, there's nothing better. (Sometimes on a cold day as well.) But add that ice cream to a drink and it's a whole new world. While the most common ice cream beverage is the old-fashioned milkshake, the creamy frozen treat has been added to liquids for decades. We have the affogato, the ice cream soda, the root beer float ... the list goes on and on. But have you ever added ice cream to your cocktails? While boozy milkshakes are nothing new, a drink you may not be as familiar with is the Sgroppino.

Another Italian-born cocktail, the Sgroppino was created as a palate cleanser that was served during or immediately following dinner. Unlike the milkshake which uses heavier ice cream, the Sgroppino uses sorbet or Italian ice making it a considerably lighter option. But lighter doesn't necessarily mean less potent. On the contrary, unlike those other Italian Prosecco cocktails, the Sgroppino packs quite a punch. Yes, this sweet interlude is made with Prosecco and sorbet, but then a shot of vodka is added to create the ultimate boozy treat.