Champagne cocktail
A champagne cocktail is an alcoholic drink made with sugar, Angostura bitters, champagne, brandy and a maraschino cherry as a garnish. It is one of the IBA Official Cocktails.
| IBA Official Cocktail | |
|---|---|
| Type | Cocktail |
| Primary alcohol by volume |
|
| Served | Straight up; without ice |
| Standard garnish | |
| Standard drinkware |  |
| IBA specified ingredients* |
|
| Preparation | Place the sugar cube at the bottom of the flute and add Angostura bitters until it dissolves. Add the brandy, then fill with the champagne. Garnish with the orange slice and maraschino cherry. |
In history
A historical reference for the cocktail is in "Professor" Jerry Thomas' book Bon Vivant's Companion, in 1862. This recipe omits the brandy or coganc and is considered to be the "classic" American version.
In popular culture
Victor Laszlo and Captain Renault both order champagne cocktails in the 1942 movie Casablanca.
General Sternwood has a Champagne cocktail with "a third of a glass of brandy under the Champagne and the Champagne cold as Valley Forge. Colder if you can get it colder" in Raymond Chandler's novel The Big Sleep.
In the 1957 film "An Affair to Remember," Deborah Kerr's character asks for a champagne cocktail - with pink champagne - at the bar on board the ship she is travelling on along with Cary Grant's character. The bartender makes two -- one for her, and one (apparently already ordered a moment before) for Cary Grant's character. It is a comedic moment, since the two of them are trying hard to hide their shipboard romance from the other passengers and crew.
In the Woody Allen film "Match Point", Emily Mortimer orders a champagne cocktail at a restaurant with Jonathan Rhys Meyers.
In the Francis Ford Coppola/Mario Puzo film The Godfather Part II FRANK PENTANGELI says-"MICHAEL, you're sitting high up in the Sierra mountains. And your drinkin' - uh, what's he drinkin'?" WILLIE CICCI says "Champagne", then FRANK PENTANGELI replies "Champagne, Uh, Champagne Cocktails -- and you're passing judgment on how I run my Family?!"
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